Maria’s 826 Boutique of Drama
transmedia branding
There are twelve 826 stores around the nation. These are places that are stores in front and in back they offer creative writing tutoring in back. Maria’s Boutique of Drama is the place where story hungry people find all the shocking telenovela classics. Whether you are looking for foolproof schemes, evil villains, or creative ways to come back from the dead, you will find them here. We are located in the heart of El Sereno, where drama lurks around every corner. At Maria’s Boutique of Drama we believe that life can be boring, so why not make it a spectacle?
Maria’s Boutique is a place where school kids ages 9-14 can come and be whoever they want to be and as dramatic as they want to be.
That’s why I created the character Maria. Maria was made to look like a traditional Mexican rag doll but also represents the creativity and drama that surrounds telenovelas. She can be the hero or the evil villain; it is up to you to decide.
For this 826 store I found a location in El Sereno, California and since it is a primarily hispanic community that is facing gentrification, I wanted to create a safe space that goes against that.
For banners and ads I really dug deep into my culture and brought that out. From the papel picado to the traditional tiles and patterns to the bright colors, these are design elements prevalent in Mexican culture.
Social Media is run by Maria herself! She’s active 5 days a week for #ManCrushMonday, #TelenovelaTuesday, #WisdomWednesday, #TBT, and #FavFriday.
While this is primarily a space for kids, the mobile aspect is geared towards tutors and parents. Parents can see how their child is doing and progressing, while tutors can access their schedule and see their student’s progress.
