A note from Nicole

For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating hands-on creative experiences with people of all ages and abilities.  Throughout that time, I became fascinated by the power of simple materials to invite exploration, expression, and connection.

What began with curated collections of materials arranged on large white trays gradually evolved into something more.  I found myself wondering: What if there was a dedicated surface designed specifically to encourage this kind of exploration? A surface that provided just enough structure to support engagement without over-directing the experience…

That question led to the creation of DesignBoards. Along the way, my thinking began to shift.  What started as a tool to support the people I was working with gradually revealed itself as something broader. I realized material arranging wasn’t just for a particular group of people— it was for anyone open to experimentation, discovery, and seeing where the materials might lead.

Each DesignBoard is handcrafted and designed to support temporary, open-ended material arranging. Paired with curated material collections, DesignBoards offer a simple yet meaningful way to explore, create, rearrange, and begin again.

Each Curated Material Collection begins with an inspiration. I’ve come to think of myself as a materials translator.  An inspiration might begin as a landscape, a work of art, a travel destination, a season, or simply a feeling.  Through a process of selecting, altering, combining, and refining materials, I work to capture its essence through texture, color, shape, pattern, and light.  Many materials are modified along the way, helping transform everyday objects into cohesive collections connected by a common thread.  The goal is not to recreate the inspiration exactly, but to capture its essence in a way that invites others to discover their own connections within it.

While creating these experiences has been deeply rewarding, it has become equally important to share this approach with others.  There are so many ways DesignBoards can be used—in homes, programs, practices, organizations, and community spaces.  I believe the simple act of arranging materials can open the door to creativity, curiosity, reflection, and connection in ways that are both accessible and personal.

DesignBoards & curated material collections continue to evolve, with new collections and possibilities always on the horizon.  What began as a personal passion continues to grow through the many ways it takes shape in the lives of others. Here’s to arranging, rearranging, and discovering what emerges along the way.