Making things has always been my favorite thing about having a “creative” career. When I went to school for graphic design (forever ago), product development was a path I had hoped I’d somehow find along the way! Just about two years ago, I partnered with Target on a home product launch, which was totally awesome and pretty surreal. Two years later, I’m still in a bit of awe that it actually happened!

Over the course of the last few years, Wit & Delight has grown and changed, just as we do as people. What started out as “my little hobby”, writing during lunch hours and downtime at work, has grown to a full-time job with a little staff helping me keep it on the rails. Over the last few years, I’ve also expanded our capabilities, to include brand and design consultation, online classes and products.

And here we are. Just about two years later, we’re starting to launch product again!

Last fall, Cities Market Studios reached out to me to ask if I’d be interested in designing a line of iPhone cases with slim and modern power banks. While I had always hoped to have the opportunity to have a line of goods, admittedly, I never imagined it would be related to tech. Always open to the right opportunity to make cool things, I thought we would give it a shot and see if the product would get picked up.

What no one tells you about developing product, is there are no guarantees a retailer will be interested. Basically, it amounts to spending time (and money) developing designs and making samples for free, keeping your fingers (and toes) crossed that the final product would resonate with a brand.

There is pretty decent amount of uncertainty with a healthy dose of denial (is there such a thing?) when it comes to this process. I immersed myself in the design process, with a fervor I hadn’t felt in quite some time. Slowly but surely my “why bother, this isn’t going to go anywhere” attitude, shifted to “these don’t look too bad” to “I’d buy these” and finally settling on “what do you mean I have to stop working on these, I’m having fun”. Ah, the creative process!

The excitement I had reserved for the final product (trust me, there is still plenty of excitement) had transferred to the process. Because Wit & Delight has diversified and expanded, I had little time to practice something I truly enjoyed doing: graphic design. I’m hoping to make more time for projects like these and expand into new categories. (In fact, if we had our own online shop, what would you want to find in it?? Let me know!)

There are days when my alarm buzzes and I just DO NOT want to get out of bed. There are days when I curse my job and wish I was doing something else.

Yesterday was one of those days, but today is not. I am reminded that I have an amazing job and that I am incredibly fortunate to continue to have opportunities such as this presented to me. Today I am thankful!

Wit & Delight product is now available in Target Stores nationwide and on target.com.

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.