Behind the Scenes: Designing a Reward Chart That Feels Like a Journey
Introduction
When we set out to create the Saisu reward chart, we weren’t just designing a tool. We were crafting an experience, something that didn’t just track behavior but elevated it. Something that felt warm, beautiful, and worthy of being part of a family’s everyday rhythm.
Most reward charts on the market are highly functional, but visually uninspiring. We saw a lot of grids. A lot of white space. A lot of charts that felt more like office spreadsheets than something a child could truly connect with.
We wanted to change that.
More Than a Chart. A Story
Each Saisu chart is designed to feel like a visual journey. From the sweeping artwork to the thoughtful color palettes, every design choice was made with imagination and emotion in mind.
We collaborated with artists who understand the world through a child’s eyes, illustrators who know how to capture wonder and whimsy without crossing into overstimulation or cliché.
If you’re curious why certain visuals resonate so strongly with kids, this piece offers more on the role of design in early brain development.
The result? Three distinct themed charts that feel like little adventures: one set under the sea, one in the jungle, and one among the stars.
Each chart includes 7 tasks and 7 days, creating 49 opportunities to celebrate growth.
To help those small wins add up to lasting change, you might find this guide on habit-building through charts especially helpful.
It’s structured enough to build consistency, yet flexible enough to work for any family’s goals, from morning routines to kindness wins.
Why We Chose a Non-Reusable Format
While many charts today are designed to be wiped clean and reused, we intentionally chose not to go that route.
If you’re weighing different chart formats, this comparison might offer some clarity on what fits your family best.
Not because reusability isn’t useful, but because we believe there’s power in making progress visible and permanent.
When a child fills in their chart, there’s a quiet sense of pride that builds over time. You don’t erase it. You keep it. You honor it.
That’s why Saisu charts are printed on high-quality, uncoated matte paper with a smooth, soft finish. They’re meant to be interacted with over the course of a week, and then celebrated, displayed, or saved as a milestone of growth.
Thoughtful Design, Inside and Out
Everything about the Saisu chart was made to feel intentional:
Premium paper stock that feels substantial in your hands
Sticker-ready surfaces that work effortlessly with the included themed sticker sheet
12x16 sizing, large enough to make an impact yet small enough to fit on a wall or fridge
Even the blank areas, like space for your child’s name or goals, were placed with care, inviting quiet moments of reflection and ownership.
A Keepsake of Progress
We believe parents deserve tools that don’t just manage behavior, but reflect the journey of growing up.
That’s what Saisu is all about: a system that nurtures connection, celebrates effort, and reminds families that the little things, the consistent efforts, the sticker placed each day, are what shape something lasting.
We didn’t want to make just another reward chart. We wanted to make your child’s favorite one. The one they remember. The one that meant something.
Because when design meets purpose, even a simple chart can become a part of the story you’re writing together.
If you’re curious how these thoughtfully crafted designs might look in your own home, you can browse the full collection here. Each chart is built to feel warm, imaginative, and emotionally grounded, not just functional. Sometimes the right tool doesn’t just support growth, it becomes part of the memory.