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My illustration figma file:
https://www.figma.com/design/tpRRgDpQK8iyB2tOKQZV3R/printed-material?node-id=65-4434&t=hGfFeDjtyrmOaJLX-1
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I found these illustrations and designs on Pinterest while looking for character styles. I saved a group of illustrations that I liked the look of and then compared them to figure out what was working. Most of them used bold, rounded shapes, simple faces, and bright colours and they felt playful without being too detailed or messy. That’s the vibe I wanted for Memori, because the app is meant to feel calm but still warm and approachable.
Using that inspiration, I created my own character as the blue flower. It’s based on a forget-me-not flower, because that links directly to the idea of remembering and storing meaningful moments. I kept it simple with rounded petals, a small smile, and blush cheeks so it stays clean and easy to recognise, and it fits naturally with Memori’s branding and colour palette.
AI is the next big thing in design and I think it’s important to use it as a tool rather than letting it replace the creative process or shunning it. I used AI to help me explore variations of my forget-me-not character faster and see how it could look in different styles and scenes. I wrote detailed prompts describing the shape, colours, facial features and overall vibe, then refined the prompts based on what the AI produced.
It wasn’t always 100% accurate. Sometimes the flower’s shape changed, the face didn’t match my original design or small details like proportions and colour consistency were slightly off. Looking back, this could be improved by being even more specific in the prompts, using fewer style variables at once, and keeping a consistent reference image for the AI to follow. On reflection, the best approach is a balance. AI helps generate quick options, but the final character still needs designer control.