Innovation

Whataburger Fancy Ketchup puzzle pieces scattered next to a tray and a red puzzle box lid with branding.
500-piece puzzle box featuring an illustration of people relaxing in a city park with trees and buildings in the background. Includes a warning about small parts and choking hazard for children under 3 years. Published by Blue Star Press.

Whataburger Puzzle Container


Category: Innovation
Solving the impossible with custom design and persistence

The Challenge
Whataburger needed a promotional product that was both functional and memorable: a branded jigsaw puzzle in a unique, resealable container. I proposed a peelable, reclosable plastic container—but every manufacturer told me it couldn’t be done.

My Role
I designed the packaging concept and specs, sourced manufacturers, and led production from idea through final delivery. After contacting five different suppliers who all said it wasn’t feasible, I identified and partnered with one who could bring the concept to life. I handled vendor management, timeline planning, and quality control throughout development.

Strategy & Process

  • Created technical specs aligned with the brand’s design and retail needs

  • Coordinated between marketing, design, and sourcing teams

  • Developed visual packaging concepts and functional requirements

  • Ensured packaging was tamper-resistant, resealable, and brand-aligned

Close-up of puzzle pieces in a white container under a red lid.

Outcome

  • Delivered a first-of-its-kind product under budget and on time

  • Featured in Whataburger’s holiday retail campaign

  • Received positive customer engagement across social media

  • Container design was considered for use in future product lines

What I Learned
Innovation often comes down to persistence. When the answer is “it doesn’t exist,” sometimes it just means you’re building it first.

Pastel-colored ticket box with pink, blue, and white stripes, labeled "tickets," surrounded by scattered confetti and decorative elements.
Flat lay of stationery items on a pink surface, including a blue notebook with pastel pens in a case on top, decorative tapes, sticker sheets, and scattered craft confetti.

Valentine Subscription Box Popper


Category: Innovation
Custom interactive packaging created from concept to completion

The Challenge
For a Valentine’s Day subscription box, we needed a product that added joy, surprise, and thematic consistency. Standard options didn’t exist—there was nothing on the market that matched the experience we wanted to create. The goal was to develop a custom, branded confetti popper that felt on-theme, interactive, and visually charming—while staying within budget and launch timelines.

My Role
I partnered with our Art Director to brainstorm the concept and structure. I then sourced a manufacturer who could bring the popper to life using custom dielines, brand art, and quality standards that matched the rest of the box. I managed communication, cost negotiation, proofing, and final production.

Strategy & Process

  • Collaborated with design to align the visual direction with the box’s Valentine/carnival theme

  • Worked with a manufacturer to develop the popper’s structure from scratch

  • Ensured the final product could be assembled, filled, and sealed efficiently in the fulfillment process

  • Balanced aesthetics and function while staying within cost and timing constraints

Illustrated carnival-themed stickers featuring a popcorn box with flowers, a carousel horse, a merry-go-round, and a ticket booth, surrounded by pastel confetti and a tassel. The stickers have a playful and colorful design.

Outcome

  • Successfully delivered a custom-designed, interactive Valentine’s popper that enhanced the box experience

  • Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from subscribers and was frequently shared on social media

  • The project became a model for future custom packaging elements in seasonal boxes

What I Learned
Creative packaging doesn't start with a product—it starts with an idea worth building. With the right collaborators and sourcing strategy, even small details can become the highlight of an experience.