Smart Strands: Columbia Students Launch 'Braid' App for Textured Hair Education

The student team behind Braid. L-R: Gabrielle Vidal (Interaction Design major with a focus in UX/UI,) Areanna Whittington (Interaction Design major with a focus in Web and App Development and a minor in Entrepreneurship,) Charlesa Thompson (UX/UI major with a minor in Craft,) and Taiwo Ayedun (Interaction Design major with a focus in UX/UI.) Photo by Taylor Reynolds The student team behind Braid. L-R: Gabrielle Vidal (Interaction Design major with a focus in UX/UI,) Areanna Whittington (Interaction Design major with a focus in Web and App Development and a minor in Entrepreneurship,) Charlesa Thompson (UX/UI major with a minor in Craft,) and Taiwo Ayedun (Interaction Design major with a focus in UX/UI.) Photo by Taylor Reynolds
Four seniors from Columbia’s UX/UI design program are addressing a longstanding gap in the beauty industry with Braid, an educational offering extensive resources on textured hair care.

A team of four seniors from Columbia College Chicago’s School of Design is tackling a long-standing gap in the beauty industry with Braid, an educational app designed to provide comprehensive resources on textured hair care. The app, developed by Taiwo Ayedun, Charlesa Thompson, Gabrielle Vidal, and Areanna Whittington, aims to empower both hairstylists and individuals through accessible learning and community-driven insights. 

The project began in Fall 2024, in Professor Becky Luther’s Digital Design III: Experience class, which is part of the in Columbia's UX/UI design program. The team credits their faculty advisor, Jo-Nell Sieren, with helping them turn their classroom project into a fully realized independent endeavor.  

“After that fall course, they collectively wanted to advance the project, and this semester, they have been focused on completing the prototype, user testing, creating a pitch deck, building the business model, and marketing strategies with the goal of getting in front of investors,” says Sieren. 

Creating an Inclusive Haircare Solution 

Braid was born from a desire to make textured hair education accessible to all. The Braid team identified a significant lack of training and resources for textured hair in the beauty industry—an issue the Texture Positive Act of 2024, introduced by Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), seeks to address. This legislation encourages cosmetology schools to integrate textured hair education while offering support to individuals looking to improve their hair care skills. 

"Inspired by this legislative shift, we built Braid as an accessible, educational platform to empower both licensed stylists and everyday people with the knowledge and confidence to care for textured hair," the Braid team explains. 

The Braid app provides education while celebrating the beauty and diversity of textured hair. 

Features That Empower Users 

The app functions as a learning hub for textured hair care, offering a range of interactive features. Users can access: 

  • A personalized home page tailored to individual hair needs. 
  • An AI chatbot providing instant guidance. 
  • A curated shop with products suited for various hair types. 
  • Courses covering styling techniques, hair maintenance, and the cultural history of textured hair. 
  • A profile page allowing users to track progress and personalize their learning journey. 
By combining these features, Braid aims to bridge the education gap while celebrating the beauty and diversity of textured hair. 

Overcoming Challenges Through Collaboration 

One of the most significant hurdles the team faced was defining Braid's long-term vision. Early in the process, the team dedicated hours to refining their goals and establishing a clear roadmap for the app. "Collaboration was key. We balanced priorities, supported each other, and fostered empathy for mistakes—which are inevitable in any creative process," the Braid team reflects. 

Regular meetings and open communication through platforms like Basecamp, Zoom, and Figma allowed the team to stay aligned. Each member took responsibility for different pages and features while maintaining a cohesive design and user experience. 

Gathering Community Feedback 

As part of their development process, the Braid team connected with salons across Chicago to gather insights from local stylists. "The accessibility of Chicago salons allowed us to engage directly with our primary audience," the team explains. These conversations provided valuable feedback on how stylists learned to care for textured hair before formal education became available. 

The team hosted an app testing event to gather additional feedback from people with textured hair and the professionals who serve them. "We're eager to learn from real-world experiences and use those insights to refine Braid's features," they note. 

Following the event, the team plans to categorize the feedback and make targeted improvements to ensure the app provides a seamless user experience while meeting the needs of both clients and stylists.  

A Bold Vision for the Future 

Looking ahead, the Braid team envisions their app becoming a trusted resource for textured hair care. "We aspire to grow Braid into a million-dollar company and set a new industry standard," they say. 

Their advice to other students pursuing independent projects? "Go for it. If you have a project or idea you're passionate about, chase it—you might surprise yourself with what you can achieve." 

With their innovative approach and commitment to inclusivity, the Braid team is not only changing how textured hair is understood but also setting a precedent for future creators in the tech and beauty industries.

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