Stories written in design.

A decorative box with an illustration of a woman with long red hair, surrounded by flowers, titled Dear Barbara. Inside the box are a thank you card, a wooden stamp, and a small green card that says Thank You.

Dear Barbara is an independent creative studio specializing in cultural design and cross-brand collaborations.

Where Stories Become Things.

From cafés to bookstores, our collaborations turn imagination into objects.

A coffee cup, a book titled 'Dear Barbara,' a tote bag, and small postcards with illustrations of people and nature.

Savoring culture, one coffee at a time.

A collection of items featuring a travel-themed design for Dear Barbara & Chengdu, including a metal tin, a cloth bag, a notebook, and small bowls of snacks, all with illustrations of pandas, a bridge, a pagoda, and cityscape.

Turning the city into stories you can carry.

A tabletop display with a bookshop-themed blind box, a small sticker, a jar with reed diffuser sticks, a candle in a brown jar labeled 'Bookshop', and a sheet of stickers with book and bookstore illustrations, with books on a shelf in the background.

Where art meets design, in everyday life.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

“We believe every object can hold a story. At Dear Barbara, design is not decoration—it’s a conversation between culture and daily life.

Our collaborations are meant to feel intimate, like a letter written just for you.”

Sketch of a floral bookmark, notebook, black ink jar, scented candle, and decorative tags with floral illustrations on a neutral table.

Nice to meet you.

We’re Dear Barbara.

It all begins with a story.

Every object we create carries traces of imagination, memory, and design.

We believe the things you hold should feel personal, timeless, and a little poetic.

FAQs

  • Yes. From limited-edition gifts to personalized stationery, we can design bespoke pieces tailored to your event or community.

  • We start by listening to your story and values, then move into concept sketches, product sampling, and final production. Every step is transparent and tailored to your brand.

  • From stationery and lifestyle goods to decorative keepsakes, we create versatile items that carry meaning and connect with people on a deeper level.

  • We work with organizations and brands that want to express their identity through design. Each collaboration is a way to translate values and stories into objects people can connect with.

The Art of Everyday.

A sketch of a landscape with traditional Asian pagodas and a fountain, a small plate with an orange fruit and leaves, a keychain with a miniature landscape scene matching the drawing, a pencil, and a notebook.
A gold star-shaped keychain with a smaller star inside it, placed on a beige fabric surface next to a small sprig of dried flowers.
Ceramic mug with a lid featuring a gold crescent moon and stars, with the words "Dear Barbara" written on it.