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.

Continue reading “Visual brand identity development: getting started + Pinterest as a resource”

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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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”

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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Afri-love Fest: reporting back from the first edition

The first ever Afri-love Fest was held in Nairobi on Sunday 18th November, 2018.

I am still overwhelmed – in the most joyful way ever – by the turnout of almost 700 people who came and contributed to the magic of the day!

[Photos by Imeldah Kondo]

The roots of Afri-love Fest

I’d dreamed about putting on an event like this for years. Ever since I started this blog, in 2010, I wanted to create real-life spaces to share its discussions, questions, discoveries, experiments and ideas. Continue reading “Afri-love Fest: reporting back from the first edition”

International Women’s Day portraits and colouring sheets

Happy International Women’s Day!

I’ve created a new series of illustrated portraits for the occasion, inspired by vintage photographs of women around the world.

The women featured include:

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African goddesses: Orisha Alchemy – a project story

African goddesses were an obvious choice of subject for me, given how I love to create African feminist work.

In addition, for a long time, I’ve been interested in religions and belief systems. Years ago, I started a blog dedicated to this exploration which, I used to create some art for.

My recently launched collection, Orisha Alchemy, picks up where that now inactive blog left off. In this post I share my inspiration, my process and the final creations. Continue reading “African goddesses: Orisha Alchemy – a project story”

Women, illustrated.

With International Women’s Day this week, I wanted to celebrate all the women that I have had the honour to collaborate with, illustrate and exchange with, in the course of my professional life. The majority of my clients have been women’s organisations and women-led businesses and I have loved exploring and experiencing the world from this feminist lens.

It’s been such a joy to illustrate a diversity of interesting and inspiring women.

Continue reading “Women, illustrated.”

Project stories: our collaboration with Sandstorm Kenya

December is here and I’m getting all reflective and starting to take stock of this year. One of the most exciting things that happened is my collaboration with luxury bag brand, Sandstorm Kenya.

Today, I thought I’d share a little bit about how the featured designs came to life. Continue reading “Project stories: our collaboration with Sandstorm Kenya”