designer by trade
fangirl at heart
CAROUSEdesign is the mini studio by HAILCAITAN as an attempt to reconnect with her roots in fandom.With a love for Human Centered Design and after visiting a convention years into being a professional UX designer, Cait noticed how much of the merch produced for conventions seemed to have little use in day to day life. She loved the art she'd see, but the function made it hard to justify the purchase. So in came CAROUSEdesign's mission: create beautifully designed fan goods that were also useful in day to day life.
if i wouldn't use it,
i wouldn't sell it.
This is my driving force when I design, I don't believe in making things I personally wouldn't use or wouldn't want to buy. By putting myself in the shoes of the consumer, it makes me strive for the best product and customer experience I can.
Keychains
Probably the thing I love to design the most, I love creating keychains/charms for people to collect and use. I have them produced with high quality acrylic and are double sided so they can be seen no matter how someone has positioned them.
Croc Charms
After I broke my arm on a business trip, I fell deeply in love with Crocs and their comfortable and customizable appeal but hated how other croc charms looked so I felt I needed to make my own. These have been some of my best sellers on my TikTok and Etsy shops.
Tea Towels
As someone who lives on their own, I love unique homegoods and realized how much I dislike generic tea towels for my kitchen or the same old ones you can locate in any retailer. So I created designs that call back to traditional tea towels but with a fan twist.
Phone Accessories
In line with my philosophy of useful design, I have also designed phone grips that fit comfortable in your hand and phone charms that allow for easy customization.
Other Acrylic Goodies
With a unique experience with laser cutting, I’m always innovating and working to create new acrylic products to bring to my tables and booths. On some items I work specially with a makerspace here in town.
Enamel Pins
A new category I have entered, I am passionate about providing my customers with the best quality enamel pins I could find at the best price point.
Branding examples
Branding is absolutely critical to my experience, I wanted my brand to stand out compared to others in an Artist Alley. I spent a mass amount of time designing my own logo, its color palette, its type system and materials to distinguish myself.
booth setup
My booth set up is something that will continue to evolve. While many artists use the cube systems, I wanted to create a highly graphic and eye catching display with hanging boards. I intend to incorporate even more custom made items such as custom acrylic containers as I expand my merchandise.
Art examples
I've been an artist my whole life, so while I am primarily a designer, I'm an artist at heart. I draw everything from original work to media I just enjoy maybe a little too much.
Where have i been?where am i going next?
Past events
CryptiCon Kansas City 2024
BlerdCon 2024
Otakon 2024
Anime Fest STL 2024
AniAmes 2024
Anime Fest SWFL 2025
BlerdCon 2025
FreeCon 21
Anime Festival Witchita 2025
Otakon 2025
Planet Anime 2025
Anime Conbini Mart 2025
Anime Weekend Atlanta 2025
Upcoming events
BlerdCon 2026
Anime Festival Witchita 2026
Art examples
I've been an artist my whole life, so while I am primarily a designer, I'm an artist at heart. I draw everything from original work to media I just enjoy maybe a little too much.
Original Art
Something I always come back to since 2018 to is my development for an independent story, A Shot in Hell, and its art. I love drawing the characters who all reside within a universe where all the worlds religions contract with demons to create personalized "hells" and the shenanigans that go along with it.
fan art
The thing that made me fall back in love with drawing for conventions, I love drawing things that I just find fun and entertaining. From Western Media to Anime, I love it all!
