Folks of Minnesota

Overview

Folks of Minnesota started as a growing Facebook page, sharing personal stories from people often overlooked. They wanted a dedicated space, clean, calm, and built to last, to let these voices speak without distraction. From first penciled plans to final launch, the project took less than three weeks, a testament to clarity, collaboration, and moving fast when the vision is right. The result is a simple, elegant platform that lets stories shine.

Goals

• Move beyond social algorithms with a permanent, searchable archive
• Organize stories by Minnesota region and topic for easier discovery
• Keep the design minimal, like a gallery, so the words and portraits stand out
• Build a foundation for future growth, more stories, contributors, and features

What We Did

• Full-stack site with Supabase handling auth, database, and content storage
• Next.js App Router for server-rendered pages and fast navigation
• Admin approval flows for new story submissions
• Region-based filtering to explore stories from all over Minnesota
• Ultra-minimal, mobile-friendly layout with a soft neutral palette

Tech Stack

What We Learned

Sometimes, simplicity is the hardest, and most rewarding, thing to build. By stripping away everything commercial, we made space for stories to breathe. Trust is UX. From first penciled plans to final launch, all in under three weeks. Small team, big heart.

Results Recap

• Permanent, searchable home for hundreds of personal stories
• Clean editorial design that foregrounds voices over visuals
• Solid groundwork for future features like scheduling, contributor accounts, and even dual Facebook + web posting

Branding & Visual Language

We also crafted a complete visual identity for Folks of Minnesota. The textured logos and hand-drawn icons bring warmth and a distinctly human feel, anchored by a consistent heart motif that makes the brand instantly recognizable across digital and print.