Why I started Colorains?
The Heart of Colorains: Connection, Creativity, and Heritage
Living in Amsterdam has given me incredible opportunities, especially in developing TECH products. Over the years, I’ve gained extensive experience in creating digital tools that solve everyday problems. But deep down, I always had the desire to create something physical... something simple yet meaningful that connects with people’s daily lives.
Inspiration: The problem I wanted to solve
In conversations with friends living abroad, I noticed a recurring concern: while children absorb knowledge like little sponges, they can easily lose connection with their heritage, language, and cultural roots. This realization stayed with me and became the foundation for my first brand, Colorains.
I wanted to create something that would help families bring their roots to life. Something that wouldn’t feel like “teaching,” but rather a fun, engaging way for kids and parents to connect with their traditions through creativity and conversation.
The idea: Why coloring?
The solution was simple: a coloring book. Coloring is accessible to everyone, it’s affordable, requires only a few crayons or markers, and sparks creativity in kids and adults alike. But I wanted to go further. Each page had to offer something more than just an image to color and it needed to teach something about cities, national parks, cultural heritage, plants, animals, or other landmarks in an easy-to-understand way for young explorers.
Colorains books are unique because they combine learning and fun. First, kids discover exciting facts written in child-friendly language. Then, they dive into coloring, bringing the theme to life through their creativity.
Core values: What drives Colorains
- Heritage: Colorains celebrates and preserves culture. While Croatia is where it began, the goal is to help children everywhere connect with their roots and traditions. These books make heritage accessible, engaging, and fun, helping families rediscover the beauty of their backgrounds together.
- Creativity: With Colorains, there’s no right or wrong in coloring there is only self-expression. It’s about exploring ideas, imagining new possibilities, and embracing the process. Sometimes creativity even sparks unexpected insights, making the activity as enriching as it is fun.
- Connection: Colorains is all about creating meaningful family moments. It brings parents and children together through shared activities, encouraging conversations and laughter while exploring their roots. Whether it’s a few minutes after dinner or a cozy weekend activity, these moments strengthen bonds and create lifelong memories.
The Journey: From Idea to Reality
When I discovered ChatGPT and the possibilities of AI, I saw an opportunity to make this idea a reality. Using AI, I could design, iterate, and refine my concept faster than I ever imagined. Through a lot of love-hate moments with AI, and plenty of patience (for me and ChatGPT) I found a way to bring Colorains to life. Every illustration, theme, and text in the books was created with AI’s help, turning an idea into a product I’m proud to share.
The Impact: What Colorains means to me
Colorains is more than a product; it’s a way to connect, create, and learn together. Hearing from families who say their children are now more curious about their heritage, or seeing parents share joyful moments with their kids while coloring, is the most rewarding part of this journey.
Join the Colorains Journey
Colorains is for every family looking to connect, create, and celebrate their roots. Whether you’re at home or abroad, these coloring books are designed to inspire meaningful moments with your loved ones.
Marko Ladika, from Zagreb & Amsterdam
Ready to join the journey?
Explore our books today and bring creativity, connection, and heritage into your home.