A white booklet with gold lettering that says 'Momma Bear' on a pink background, surrounded by colorful confetti.

Case Study: Momma Bear Magazine

A Community-Powered Print Publication for Mothers and Creators

Where motherhood meets art, activism, and honest storytelling.

Momma Bear Magazine began as a bold idea: what if we created a print magazine that didn’t shy away from the complexities of motherhood—but leaned into them? Not just another glossy parenting magazine full of curated perfection, but something raw, creative, and deeply human.

Founded and creatively directed by Mary Klaren, Momma Bear Magazine launched on Kickstarter and raised over $15,000 from an enthusiastic community of mothers, artists, writers, and readers who were hungry for something real.

My Role & Responsibilities

  • Founder & Creative Director

  • Brand concept, identity, and design

  • Editorial direction and magazine layout

  • Kickstarter campaign strategy and execution

  • Community-building & contributor outreach

Print Publication Design

Gold foil stamped text reading 'Momma Beauty' on a white surface with a pink border.
Woman with blonde hair in a high ponytail wearing a black and white striped shirt and earrings, holding a white book, standing against a light blue background, carrying a large black and white striped tote bag with 'Momma Bear' written on it.
Person holding a mug and a book, both with the logo 'Momma Bea,' against a pink background. The person's face is hidden behind the book.
Kickstarter staff pick page for Momma Bear Magazine: Print Edition, featuring a blue brick wall with white cursive lettering of the magazine title, a woman with a stroller, and a green label indicating it is a staff pick.
Open magazine showing a colorful flower arrangement in a turquoise vase on a white background on the left page, and a chalkboard with painted flowers and written names on the right page, set on a pink surface.
Collection of items with messages about motherhood, guilt, and grace, including a black tote bag, a white mug with gold accents, a gray T-shirt, a notepad with a yellow pencil, a blue gift box with a ribbon, and a white tumbler with a straw.

Strategy

Objective: Create a print magazine that captures the authentic, multifaceted experience of motherhood—with a strong visual identity, editorial soul, and activist heartbeat.

I developed a brand identity that walked the line between softness and strength—think modern serif fonts, neutral earth tones, and design choices that felt editorial but approachable. The goal was to create a visual world that felt as comforting as a worn-in linen robe, but powerful enough to carry stories about birth trauma, miscarriage, rage, beauty, and becoming.

Long-Term Impact

Momma Bear Magazine established a timeless platform for maternal storytelling—one that continues to ripple beyond its initial launch. It created space for raw, unfiltered conversations around motherhood, identity, and healing, sparking ongoing dialogue across digital and real-life communities. The brand laid the foundation for future print issues, online community building, and collaborative events, while inspiring other creators to prioritize both aesthetics and authenticity in their own storytelling projects.

Execution

Kickstarter Highlights:

  • Successfully raised over $15,000 in under 30 days

  • Mobilized a community of over 300 backers

  • Developed all campaign assets: video script, copy, visuals, reward tiers, merchandise etc

  • Built hype with social content and direct outreach to aligned creators and parent influencers

Editorial & Production:

  • Led editorial calendar, contributor guidelines, and content curation

  • Recruited contributors such as Laura Casey, Emily Ley and Sherri DuPree-Bemis.

  • Designed 150+ page magazine layout in InDesign

  • Coordinated with printers and fulfillment partners to ensure quality and on-time delivery

  • Featured Motivational Speaker at MommyCon and Wieden & Kennedy

Tools Used

  • Adobe InDesign / Illustrator / Photoshop

  • Kickstarter / Mailchimp / Squarespace

  • Google Drive / Trello for contributor coordination

Results

The first issue sold out in print and was praised for its vulnerability, depth, and design

  • Built a deeply engaged audience from scratch

  • Featured contributors included published authors, therapists, birth workers, and artists

  • Sparked interest in future editions, digital expansions, and community-building platforms

Takeaway

Momma Bear Magazine wasn’t just a publication—it was a movement. Proof that when design meets meaning and community, beautiful things happen. This project represents the heart of what I do: using storytelling, visual identity, and human connection to bring bold ideas to life.Interested in building a brand experience this unforgettable? Let’s talk.

Ready to launch a brand that gets you noticed?

Click below to apply