This small project embodies how I approach any challenge: I observe, I design, I test, I listen, and I build. Whether I’m working on a multi-million-user banking product or a fabric cat carrier cover, I’m always thinking about how to create better, calmer, more human-centered experiences — and how to bring those ideas to life.
THE PROBLEM
If you are a pet owner, you KNOW how much of an effort it is to get your fuzzy friend to see the doctor. Not only are they difficult to bring to the vet, but chance are YOU as their pet parent are likely stressed about your pet being sick or somehow unwell. How might we make the vet experience a little less stressful for all involved?
When my cat began dreading vet visits, I started noticing a pattern. I wasn’t the only one with a stressed-out animal — other pet owners in the waiting room were doing the same thing I was: draping blankets or towels over carriers to calm their pets. But those makeshift solutions were inconsistent, falling off, and more stressful than helpful. That’s when my design instincts kicked in...
THE CURRENT SOLUTION
Many cats experience heightened anxiety during vet visits. A common solution — covering carriers with blankets or towels — often fails in practice. Covers slip, aren't the right size, don’t fit securely, and add hassle for pet owners.
Many cats experience heightened anxiety during vet visits. A common solution — covering carriers with blankets or towels — often fails in practice. Covers slip, aren't the right size, don’t fit securely, and add hassle for pet owners.
MY SOLUTION
I sketched and sewed the first prototype based on my own carrier’s dimensions and my cat’s behavior.
I field-tested it — on vet visits — and began receiving unsolicited feedback from other pet owners and vet staff.
I iterated the design for better fit, function, and visual appeal.
I bought fabric in friendly colors and patterns to help pet owners feel a sense of calm.
I made multiple covers and gave them to veterinary staff in exchange for user feedback — treating them as both testers and expert users.
I created a branded product experience: from naming to visual identity.
I launched a small Etsy shop, where I sold the covers consistently for over a year before pausing due to shifting life priorities.
RESULTS
Cats stayed calmer, owners felt more in control, and vet staff became advocates.
Cats stayed calmer, owners felt more in control, and vet staff became advocates.
Positive feedback and consistent Etsy sales validated the need and design.
Sales contributed to paying for my animal rescue efforts.
The product proved that a real-world, emotional pain point could be addressed with empathy and thoughtful craft.
The process reflected everything I value as a designer: noticing the unseen, prototyping quickly, testing with real users, and iterating based on feedback.
