Client: Lisa Wiemken (shop owner)
Pitacus Chop Art is a clothing shop based in Kaimuki, owned by local artist Lisa Wiemken. Known for its unique distressed, patchwork style using traditional Japanese textiles, each item is either handmade or a curated vintage piece.
This website is an informational site about Pitacus Chop Art,
with no e-commerce, as requested by the client. Website will
include information about shop location, hours, new items, and
contact information. Users will be able to contact the shop to put
new arrival items on hold.
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The daruma-icon for the home button was inspired by the Pitacus Chop Art Instagram profile picture.
The primary typeface, Chainprinter, was chosen for its resemblance to the lettering on the store signage, which features cut-out license plate letters. Its distressed style mirrors the fabrics used in the patchwork designs of the clothing. Paired with Chainprinter, Gantari was selected for its contrast, playful character, and excellent legibility, adding a welcoming touch.
I created a frame-by-frame animation that aligns with the stitching details featured throughout the website. Instead of using a smooth, vector animation, I chose the frame-by-frame approach to maintain a raw, unrefined aesthetic that complements the overall design.
I chose to illustrate the Japanese textiles to further emphasize the shop's handmade aesthetic, rather than opting for pixel-perfect photography. The bright, cheerful colors reflect the brand's playful voice.
Given her shop's distinctive handmade aesthetic and warm, inviting brand voice, it was important to highlight design elements that reinforced these qualities and strengthened the overall branding; I saw the news section of the homepage as an opportunity to do so.
I was charmed by the shop's old-school, hand-written receipt given after each purchase. I photographed the receipt, stamped with the shop’s address, and incorporated it as one of the design elements.
Throughout the shop, there are fabric scraps and samples, which inspired me to use as another design pattern throughout site.
