Nook Needs | Small Business & Digital Brand Build
Background/Context
Role: Founder and Designer
Tools Used: Canva, Clip Studio Paint, Instagram, eBay, Website Builder - WordPress (team collaboration)
Timeline: 2020–2021
Overview
During the height of the pandemic, I wanted to find a way to stay productive and put my business background to use. While playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I noticed that there was a growing community of players interested in trading in-game items. That idea quickly turned into a small side business: selling digital items to other players.
I started selling through eBay, and as the business grew, I realized there was an opportunity to expand beyond the platform, improve the customer experience, and reduce seller fees. This led to creating Nook Needs, a dedicated brand and website for in-game item delivery.
Process
Starting the Business
I began by selling small in-game items and slowly built credibility through consistent communication, positive customer experiences, and clear product listings. As sales increased, I realized the business needed its own identity and streamlined platform. I partnered with a small team to help with the technical website build and focused on branding, digital assets, customer experience, and marketing.
Social Media and Content Creation
To reach more players and grow awareness, I created a variety of social media content using Canva. These included:
• Seasonal posts and holiday themes
• Giveaway announcements
• In-game recreations of real-world events
• Community and culture-focused content
Each post was designed to feel fun, engaging, and aligned with the whimsical nature of the Animal Crossing universe. My goal was to make the posts look like they belonged in the game while still communicating clearly to our audience.
Product Listings and Branding Assets
I designed product listing images, bundle previews, banners, and website visuals to make the experience feel cohesive and welcoming. For one listing, I created a postcard-style layout from scratch using Clip Studio Paint and Canva to align with the idea of in-game delivery. Other listings used gameplay screenshots paired with clean graphical elements to keep the focus on the item itself.
In addition to posts and listings, I also designed web banners for sales, seasonal events, and informational content, helping the website stay visually consistent and easy to navigate.
Results
Nook Needs became a fun and meaningful project that combined creativity, marketing, design, and customer experience. By the time I wrapped the business, I had earned over 220 positive reviews on eBay alone, grown a small online community, and gained firsthand experience running an online business from the ground up.
This project taught me how much impact branding, consistency, and communication can have on customer trust and engagement. It also reminded me how much I enjoy building something from scratch and watching it grow.
