WHY GOOD NOODLE?

In November 2023, I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital with my mom as she recovered from acute perforated diverticulitis. A few days before I was supposed to head back to Penn State for my final semester, my mom started experiencing severe pain again. As I packed a bag with my laptop, tablet, chargers, and snacks for the ER, I asked myself, "What do kids do when they have to go to the hospital?"

Sitting in the uncomfortable ER chairs at UPMC Susquehanna, waiting for her CAT scan results, I pulled out my laptop and began brainstorming ideas. As my mom faced another hospital stay, I realized that the project I was developing—Good Noodle—could help bring some joy to those long, monotonous hospital hours and offer kids a moment of peace amid all the chaos of medical procedures. 

As I was wrapping up this project, my mom underwent surgery to prevent any further issues and is doing great! 

And voilà—now we have Good Noodle, where kids can be kids! What started as a late-night trip to the ER and an idea jotted down in my notes became a fun, inspirational, and inviting kit that helps kids play and distract themselves from what’s going on around them.

ALL GOOD BRANDS GOTTA START SOMEWHERE

Hospitals can be intimidating, sterile, and boring, especially for young children whose imaginations are always running wild. While children's areas in hospital waiting rooms are often filled with outdated exhibits, old toys, and generic art, Good Noodle aims to offer something different. The brand's goal is to provide fun and imaginative ways for kids to stay entertained, even in such a challenging environment, allowing them to remain playful while giving parents the time they need to manage the situation.

I was tasked with developing a fully realized brand, focusing on creativity and practicality. Along with a brand identity, I researched and designed a product line, including take-home activities, hospital room games, and kid-friendly instructions, with potential for expansion into both physical and digital spaces. The project demonstrated both creative design and a practical solution, resulting in a scalable product that could make a meaningful difference in children's lives. Good Noodle is not just a brand—it's a way to keep kids’ minds wild, even in the most unexpected places.


Good Noodle came from a noodle plush that I got for Valentine’s Day, and the rest was history! That plush was not only the inspiration behind the name but also the entire brand and even our mascot. Mac is not only a kid’s best friend but also a super important ingredient when making the ultimate comfort food! And what kid doesn’t love mac and cheese?

Above is a glimpse into the extensive research and experimentation I did when developing the branding and deliverables for Good Noodle, including my moodboards, logo versions, color exploration, and more! 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ACTIVITY KIT?

I wanted the activity kit to not only be easy to use on their own (with minimal parental guidance) and portable, so it could go with them wherever they need it. I started my research into what activities do kids typically gravitate towards that promotes their development and learning during those stages, and I found that pretend play, art supplies, activity books, crafts, memory, and strategy games were the most popular. The Good Noodle Activity Kit is great for kids (ages 3–7) who are full of imagination and creativity and love to stay busy, and includes:  

Mac Plush

• Provides a sense of comfort with their new BFF!
• Super cute and cozy

Craft

• Encourages kids to let their imaginations run wild and get their creativity flowing! 
• Supplies included: paper plates, self-adhesive googly eyes, crayons

Memory Card Game

• 25 matches
• Promotes

Busy Book

• Balances fun activities with learning
• Activities include:

Busy Book

• Bala

 

Credits
Art direction, deliverables, and imagery are self-produced.