Visual brand identity development: getting started + Pinterest as a resource

I’ve worked on over 100 visual brand identity design projects in my career and, for me, one of the most exciting parts of the process is right at the start.

Speaking of excitement, one of my guilty pleasures in life is time spent on Pinterest. There was a season where Friday nights would consist of me, on the couch, in my slanket (no shame!), with a cold ginger beer at hand, and Pinterest on my laptop. And I lovvvvvvvved it!

Luckily, I can often also justify Pinterest time during working hours and, today, I’m going to give you permission to do the same!

Whether you’re working on branding for somebody else, whether you’re the one who’s looking for branding support or whether you’re working on your own branding – this post is for you.

I’m going to share some crucial steps to take in the beginning of developing your visual brand identity, and how Pinterest can be a useful – and enjoyable – resource.

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The most important steps in branding or rebranding

I was watching an episode of Queer Eye the other day, featuring the founder of Disabled But Not Really. As usual, there were plenty of tears and I continued to think about the episode for a while.

The overriding message was all about accepting ourselves as we are – with all the things that make us “different” because these are what make us special!⠀

It was a reminder to self to embrace my quirks and let them shine. Reminding myself to not be self-conscious, not to dull myself down, not to mask who I am.⠀

I believe this is such an important message for our professional lives too! Not shying away from who we are, when it comes to branding ourselves or our businesses, is so powerful! ⠀

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37 life lessons from 37 years

Episode 3 of Soulful Branding Live with Lulu is all about life lessons. It’s my birthday today and, increasingly, the wiser I get, this time of the year calls for pause and reflection.

8 years ago, I created a 29 lessons from 29 years list. Now, I’m carrying on from there and adding the profound life lessons I’ve learned since – AND how they each apply to soulful branding.

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How to overcome imposter syndrome

Exploring how to overcome imposter syndrome was the theme of the first ever Afri-love Connection Club Everyday Wonderwomen events and we could not have picked a more timely topic!

Everyday Wonderwomen speak

I started to share some of what happened at the Mombasa event. After another magical evening, this time in Nairobi, I felt compelled to share the powerful take-aways from our panel and audience.

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Lessons from starting a creative product business

Let’s talk creative product business problems. The latter months of the year are prime time for making really good product sales but, with that comes the pressure to produce!

Creativity is not my problem. I’ve learned that they’re a host of other factors that come into play, when you have a product business. Things that I wish I knew about earlier on. I’m going to share some of them with you in this post.

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What do you want to be known for? Debut episode of Soulful Branding Live with Lulu

Have you ever thought about what you want to be known for?

In this debut episode, I share some important questions that I feel are the foundation of any branding exercise. Questions to help you figure out what you want to be known for.

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Graphic recording/graphic facilitation: why your event needs it

In the past year or so, I’ve had the opportunity to do graphic recording at some really interesting events.

I came across the concept several years back, when my friend and former graphic design colleague, started doing this kind of work. This was back in the UK where the practice is a bit more established than it is here in Kenya and Africa. Continue reading “Graphic recording/graphic facilitation: why your event needs it”

Imposter syndrome part I: Everyday Wonderwomen + being your own vibe

I often suffer bouts of imposter syndrome.

I find it difficult to celebrate my wins when they don’t live up to my expectations of where I should be. Rather than look at what is good, I find myself focusing on what I’m struggling with.

I’m guilty of the very things I’m always encouraging people to transcend.

I’m a fraud!

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9 years of Afri-love + so much more than a blog

9 years ago tomorrow, I published my first post on a new blog I named Afri-love. I had thoughts and theories I wanted to explore; discoveries I wanted to share; inspiration I wanted to pass on; and community I wanted to find.

I didn’t know it at the time but, my humble blog was about to be the most powerful vehicle for me to find my voice, to realise my purpose and to build some incredible relationships along the way.

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I love creating lists of 9. Therefore, it’s thus fitting to share one with you, celebrating this 9th anniversary of what has become so much more than just a blog! Continue reading “9 years of Afri-love + so much more than a blog”

Why I became a creative professional

The beginnings of a creative professional

My earliest memory of intentionally making art is from around the age of 5 or 6. I can picture it so clearly: a family friend, Auntie Bridgitte, sitting with me at our dining table, showing me how to make interesting shapes by overlapping letters and numbers and colouring the spaces in between. I loved it! And continued to make up all kinds of creative challenges for myself until …

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