HighThere
As Design Director at HighThere, I leveraged my deep expertise in brand strategy, product, and editorial design previously honed at Healthline, to revolutionize HighThere’s digital presence. Drawing on brand-forward design principles, I aimed to recast HighThere as the cannabis industry's answer to High Times meets The New York Times, focusing on trust and scientific rigor. My design approach was about cutting through the noise—making HighThere not just another platform, but a leader in credible cannabis conversations.
The redesign of HighThere was not just a facelift but a strategic overhaul. We transformed the platform into a hub for cannabis education and community engagement, setting new standards for digital excellence in the industry. By blending human-centered functionality with compelling visuals and impactful journalism that pushes past the limits of the news cycle, we fostered a space that encourages exploration, connection, and creativity. This community actively engages in an expanding dialogue about cannabis, all within a framework that champions transparency and curiosity.
Working alongside Jamie Solis, former Chief Editor at High Times, I embraced a dynamic, hands-on role at HighThere, markedly different from my experience at Healthline where I had a full creative team. Without the support of illustrators, photo editors, and designers, Jamie and I directly drove all creative efforts. This led to a seamless fusion of editorial insight and design innovation, resulting in a nimble workflow that crafted an editorial experience as informative as it was engaging, resonating deeply with a community hungry for authenticity and depth in cannabis content.
At HighThere, we were all about awesome collabs with top experts and leading cannabis brands. Our goal was to dive deep, delivering reviews and guides that help our community make informed choices. We prioritized transparency and trust, ensuring our recommendations are backed by thorough research and honest evaluations. This keeps our content fresh and reliable, making HighThere a trusted go-to for cannabis insights.