Art Lighters
A self-driven, full-scale redesign project where I developed a layout and structure for a friend’s business specializing in hand-crafted art lighters. With no existing style guide, I designed everything from the ground up.
A story from the business owner:
Art lighters first started popping up in the early ‘90s. Back then, while living in the Bronx, a friend who owned a corner store saw my custom-painted lighters and thought they were awesome. He started giving me boxes of plain lighters to take home, paint, and bring back to sell in his shop. Before I knew it, people started loving them, and they became my thing.
Everyone started calling me Boff Lighter—Boff being short for my last name, Bonfiglio. I even started signing the bottom of each lighter with it, turning it into my artist’s mark. To this day, people still tell me, "I still have your lighter, and it still works!"
The cool thing about art lighters is that they last longer than regular ones. The artistic coating gives them extra durability, and because every single one is hand-painted, no two are ever the same—like snowflakes. That’s what makes them so special.
Along with one-of-a-kind designs, I also make limited-edition runs and even personalize lighters for people, which just adds to the fun. I hope you get as much joy out of them as I do making them—because trust me, they’re guaranteed to turn heads.
Problem Statement
Art lighters have a niche but passionate audience. Despite their uniqueness, they often lack a well-designed digital experience for showcasing, purchasing, and learning about their value. The challenge is to design a compelling user experience that captures the artistry, history, and exclusivity of each handcrafted lighter while making the purchasing process seamless.
Understanding Problem
User Pain Points:
- Art lovers and collectors struggle to find unique, handcrafted lighters online.
- Current e-commerce platforms often fail to highlight the artistic and collectible nature of the product.
- The absence of storytelling and personalization in the shopping experience reduces emotional connection.
- Customers want reassurance about durability, authenticity, and customization options.
Opportunities:
- Emphasize the uniqueness of each lighter through high-quality visuals and interactive elements.
- Implement storytelling elements to connect users with the brand's history.
- Provide a smooth customization and ordering process.
- Allow users to engage through a collector’s community or limited edition drops.
Drafting Solution
Homepage:
- Feature high-quality images and videos showcasing the unique lighters.
- Tell the story of the founder ("Boff") and the origin of the brand.
- Introduce a "Featured Lighter of the Month" section.
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Product Page
- Interactive 360° view to explore each lighter in detail.
- "One of a Kind" badge to emphasize exclusivity.
- Personalization feature for adding custom designs.
- Clear pricing, shipping, and durability information.
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Checkout Experience
- Streamlined purchase flow with an emphasis on customization.
- Limited edition countdowns for urgency.
- Payment flexibility (Apple Pay, PayPal, Buy Now Pay Later options).
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Community & Engagement
- User-generated content gallery featuring customer-owned lighters.
- Loyalty program for collectors.
- A blog covering art culture, customization ideas, and lighter care tips.
Final Result
By implementing these UX enhancements:
- Users engage more deeply with the brand’s story, creating an emotional connection.
- The exclusivity and uniqueness of the product are clearly communicated.
- The checkout process is intuitive, leading to higher conversions.
- Collectors and enthusiasts feel a sense of belonging through a community-driven experience.
Reception & Feedback
Showcase & Gallery