Designing for a moment of need.
When COVID-19 changed everyday life, it also changed Bare Republic’s business almost overnight. Demand for sunscreen slowed just as hand sanitizer became increasingly difficult to find. With manufacturing capabilities that could support the shift, the brand saw an opportunity to respond.
As Design Director, I was the sole designer on the initiative, working closely with our CEO to explore how Bare Republic could enter an entirely new category quickly—and still feel like itself.
A new product, built from familiar parts.
I developed several visual directions around the naming concepts under consideration, with Bare Hands ultimately emerging as the selected direction. Its connection to Bare Republic’s existing architecture made the leap into sanitizer feel natural, while the peace-sign hand became a quick cue to the new product without losing the optimistic spirit of the brand.
From there, I carried the identity through packaging and production for an initial line of gel and spritz sanitizers. A consistent architecture held the family together, while color helped distinguish scents and package formats did the rest.
Initial concept exploration for Bare Hands
Built to go further.
The initial line made it to market by June 2020 and later expanded with a continuous spray and 2-in-1 moisturizing lotion. I designed those extensions within the same system, allowing Bare Hands to grow from a rapid response into a six-product family.
For me, the project was a reminder that design can do more than support a business. At the right moment, it can help a business use what it already has to respond to what people actually need.
Bare Hands family