The Insta Witch Starter Kit is a packaging project that combines playful design with a bit of irony, celebrating transformation, creativity, and self-expression. It’s funny how in today’s world, it seems like anyone with a smartphone, some astrology knowledge and a #witchy aesthetic can call themselves a "witch." So, I thought, why not lean into that trend and create a kit that embraces the fun side of the phenomenon?
This project was all about blending whimsy with empowerment—creating an experience that encourages users to tap into their inner magic while having a good laugh about how easy it is to be “witchy” these days. The kit is thoughtfully packaged to evoke excitement and mystery from the moment it’s opened, with each component carefully curated to reflect the spirit of transformation and just a little bit of playful irony. I worked backwards a little and began by designing select tarot cards.
I used myself as the reference for the cards because, despite the poking fun, I definitely have been known to believe the insta witches on my for you pages and thought it would be silly to have a little self deprecation in there. I picked cards that had spoken to me the most.
0 - The Fool: New beginnings, curiosity, and the courage to leap into the unknown.
1 - The Magician: Creativity, resourcefulness, and the power to manifest desires.
2 - The High Priestess: Intuition, mystery, and inner wisdom.
7 - The Triumph: Victory, determination, and overcoming challenges.
11 - Justice: Fairness, truth, and accountability.
13 - Death: Transformation, renewal, and letting go to welcome new beginnings.
I then began working on the actual packaging;
The packaging was meant to start off as an unassuming box, opening up to reveal my "instant insta witch" - a tub of vibrant purple hair dye - and some vials for potions - "darkness powder" (glitter), "ground concentration" (coffee) and some "the charm charm" (more glitter), as well as the tarot cards and a handbook.
Each component was thoughtfully crafted to create a sense of fun and empowerment, encouraging users to tap into their inner magic while celebrating individuality and creativity.