Creative Director: Gravity Mind
Strategy & design of all creative content for acupressure & meditation tools.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
Gravity Mind
Co-founder & Creative Director
July 2020 - present
OUR STORY:
I’m a designer and producer with a bachelor degree from Art Center College of Design (LA), and a certified yoga teacher trained at East+West Yoga (Bali). My beloved partner Dmitry is a professional woodworker who has studied Chinese Medicine at Five Branch University in San Jose. With this unique combination of skills, we created a small family business called Gravity Mind where we handcraft the nail boards and offer other unique mindfulness tools from around the world. We are passionate about bringing ancient wisdom into the modern cities to help people feel present and peaceful in any situation.
Nail boards are acupressure devices for stress release, meditation and recovery. This tool originated in India over 2,000 years ago, also known as “bed of nails” or “sadhu boards”. It ‘s consist of two hardwood boards with copper nails pointing upwards. When you stand on the nail boards, pressure points and nerve endings on the feet work as a reset button for physical, mental and energetic blockages and tension. It meant to feel challenging at first, similar to a cold plunge, but after breathing through a threshold of discomfort the mind-chatter disappears into a clear presence and mental resilience.
MY ROLE:
I independently develop strategy and produce all creative assets of the brand from start to finish: product, packaging, branding, website, photo and video shoots. Beside visual design and educational content production, I also lead workshops with elements of yoga, breathwork, and meditation on the nail boards.
WHAT EXPERTS SAY:
“I’m a big fan of the nail board as a tool to facilitate relaxation (ironically) and a more calm/centered state. I typically stand on it for 5-10 minutes and feel dramatically more calm and centered during and afterward. Much like an ice bath, it’s a great tool to regulate one’s relationship to the stress response.”
– Aaron Alexander
Align Podcast host, The Align Method author, coach & manual therapist.
Product design
My co-founder and I went over numerous iterations of product design for 2-3 years. We began with a simple version of the nail boards and kept improving until we arrived at this foldable version from walnut and bamboo wood, with copper nails, rubber cushion inside each board for dynamic movement of nails, CNC engraving of the torus mandala, and rose quartz stone. I’ve also designed sustainable packaging with instructions printed on the inside of the box.
Print & Packaging Design
Core branding shoot
Website design
I chose a modern and clear visual tone to reintroduce ancient tool of generational wisdom into current time. I used earthy, soothing and light colors to communicate grounded, meditative nature of the practice and our commitment to toxic-free, all-natural materials. I combined it with minimalistic photography and video loops to let the product stand out in polished and clearing way. You can see the website live here.
Accessory merchandize design
In spring 2023 we released my design of a wool felt case for the nail boards. This handmade case protects the nail boards from scratches, dust, heat, and cold. It will also prevent boards from opening in a car or a backpack.
I’ve settled on natural wool felt as the most sustainable and functional material for this project. Wool is rapidly renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and can be produced naturally with minimal negative impact. After going through dozens of color swatches, I’ve created a soothing color palette of pastel colors that can be easily found in nature: sunset pink, spring green, stone grey, and blooming lilac. The case features two metal snap closures and an embossed leather label.
Commercial video shoot
Photoshoot for web & social
Tutorial videoshoot
Live events & workshops
Me and my partner Dmitry also lead acupressure-meditation workshops on our nail boards. The workshop is about 1.5 hour long and open to all levels. We give private sessions, teach at community events, as well as yoga conferences and festivals with up to 50 attendees. Together we explore our edges, surrender into the power of breath, and transcend stress and tension.
Video highlights from selected workshops:
Rafi Lounge LA
Slow Beauty LA
Yoga Expo LA 2023
Yoga Expo Portland 2022
Yoga Expo LA 2022
We Are the Medicine event LA
