Behind the Scenes: Bringing Happy Tartan to Life
It’s been a whirlwind few months behind the scenes at Happy Tartan HQ, and I thought it was time to pause, take stock, and share a little of what’s been happening. As many of you know, I’ve been working hard to develop Happy Tartan into more than just a brand—it’s becoming a colourful, fun, and meaningful platform that celebrates Scotland’s heritage in a modern, accessible way.
One of the most exciting developments has been the introduction of cartoon strips and comic content. This has opened up a whole new creative avenue for me, blending storytelling, art, and a touch of humour to bring the Happy Tartan characters—and the brand’s spirit—to life. Seeing the characters take shape, each with their own distinct personality and style, has been a joy. They’re not just drawings; they represent the energy, fun, and resilience that I want Happy Tartan to embody.
It’s also been a period of refining the brand’s look and feel, ensuring everything from the tartan patterns to the animations and social media posts ties together in a cohesive, vibrant way. I’ve been experimenting with animations, giving the characters movement and voice to deepen their connection with our audience. It’s been a huge learning curve but incredibly rewarding to see the brand's personality shine through in new ways.
Beyond the visuals, I’ve been building the operational side—planning campaigns, working on new product ideas, and setting the groundwork for collaborations and ambassador programmes. It’s a balancing act between creative freedom and the practicalities of running and scaling a business, but every step feels like it’s moving closer to the vision I have for Happy Tartan: a brand that celebrates Scotland’s past while creating something fresh and forward-looking.
As always, none of this would mean anything without the community around it. I’m so grateful for the support, encouragement, and feedback that keeps coming in. Whether you’re following along on social media, buying from the shop, or just sharing kind words, it makes a huge difference.
There’s lots more to come, and I’m excited (and a little daunted!) about the next stages. But for now, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you—and to let you know that behind the tartan patterns and cartoon smiles, there’s a lot of heart (and hard work) going into building something special.
Stay tuned—more fun, colour, and creativity is on the way.
Nicola x
