OURS was a relationship brand with one slightly radical idea: working on your relationship should feel less like homework and more like a date. Loud colors, a beige as cozy as a couch, and a voice that never took itself too seriously.
The Times called the vocabulary the most useful part: “It’s hard to change what you can’t name.” Here are a few words from the OURS glossary.
couple bubblenounThe protective barrier you build around the two of you. Rule one: no criticizing each other in front of thirds, only defending.
thirdsnoun“The people you love very much but who might make unreasonable demands of you or your partner. Think: children, parents, in-laws and close friends.”
family of originnounHow the family you grew up in shapes how you show up now, including which patterns you keep and which you break.
meta-emotional mismatchnounWhen one of you grew up talking about feelings and the other grew up asking “feelings, what are those?” Very common, very fixable.
The idea
Couples work, but make it fun.
No couch, no clipboard, no waiting for things to break first. OURS was a four-week program for “relationships of all kinds,” done together from wherever you were cozy. Yes, even in bed.
Meet your GuideA live video session with a trained Guide, after a warm-up survey like “What was the first thing you remember being attracted to in your partner?”
Do your RoadmapA personalized path of self-guided sessions at home: Becoming Us, Family of Origin, money talks, and more.
Exit interviewA final live session with your Guide to reflect on how to “do this better the next time.”
“Hot yoga, but for our relationship.”How couples described Roadmap Sessions, as quoted in the old OURS FAQ
The look
Bold shapes, loud colors, chunky borders.
Relationship brands usually whisper in pastels and stock photos of couples on beaches. OURS showed up in thick black outlines, blobby corners, and six colors with real opinions. Tap a swatch to copy it.
The wordmark: four shapes, slightly dancing
1Everything gets a 2px black border.Buttons, cards, photos. Everything.
2Corners are asymmetric blobs.Big round corners on two sides, sharp on the others, like a speech bubble mid-laugh.
3Shadows are hard, never blurry.Every button looks pressable because it is.
The voice
Warm, honest, and a little cheeky.
Real lines from the OURS app's FAQ. Even the fine print had personality.
“Okay truthfully, this question has actually never been asked!”The answer to “Can we switch guides?”
“…literally no one has used our money-back happiness guarantee for a refund!”The answer to “What is your refund policy?”
“Invite the fun. Laugh, tell jokes, and try to bring some levity into the conversations.”Tips for the best experience
“Trust us, we get it. Things happen.”On last-minute conflicts
Style sectionSept 24, 2022
Meet your GuideA live video session with a trained Guide, after a warm-up survey like “What was the first thing you remember being attracted to in your partner?”
Do your RoadmapA personalized path of self-guided sessions at home: Becoming Us, Family of Origin, money talks, and more.
Exit interviewA final live session with your Guide to reflect on how to “do this better the next time.”
The wordmark: four shapes, slightly dancing
