01. BLANK STREET// Brand Design, Social Media
Blank Street is a coffee company and coffeehouse chain launched in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with 57 locations across New York, London, Boston, and D.C. I was responsible for crafting and designing various assets for both online and offline communication. Including social media templates, posters, flyers, photo retoucing, store signage and menus. This work resulted in increased follower growth online, boosted customer loyalty, and enhanced brand recognition.
Yetu is a contemporary art gallery based in Kinshasa in collaboration with the National Museum of Democratic Republic of Congo.
I was tasked with creating the brand identity for the space, focusing on promoting cultural exchange through the power of contemporary art. The logo design is centered around the meaning of the word - yetu - which means - ours - in Swahili. It features connecting lines that symbolize unity and collaboration, reflecting the gallery’s mission to bring together diverse artistic voices in a shared cultural space.
Animation: Simran Hemnani
Sofiane Zoubir & Co is a jewellery concept brand that merges traditional and contemporary designs, offering a range of products from teeth adornments and necklaces to bracelets and brochures. I was tasked with creating a brand identity that encapsulates its multifaceted nature. The logo, which merges the owner's initials (S and Z) to form an ampersand, reinforces the owner's journey into the industry and the desire to create a lasting legacy. The first iteration of the brand identity focuses on the teeth adornment department, showcasing a bold and playful approach. This work-in-progress aims to capture the unique essence of Sofiane Zoubir & Co.
DESCRIPTION
Nha Lua is an initiative with the mission to promote menstrual dignity in Guinea-Bissau, a country where women and girls face significant challenges during menstruation due to poor infrastructure and lack of access to appropriate hygiene products. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive information and offer sustainable menstrual products that are both economically and environmentally friendly. I was tasked with creating the brand identity, social media strategy, and online and offline assets for Nha Lua. The logo draws inspiration from the name "Nha Lua," which means "my moon" in Guinea-Bissau creole. It features a circle as main element to symbolize the moon phases and the three menstrual phases: follicular, ovulation, and luteal. This design emphasizes the concepts of a safe space, community, and protection, reflecting Nha Lua's mission to provide support and dignity to menstruating individuals.
Animation: Simran Hemnani
Everyday Life: Intersection of Design and Everyday Aesthetics is a 100-page book that delves into how the ordinary informs the design process. It explores the key principles of Wabi-Sabi and analyzes Kenya Hara's methodology, both of which have had a significant influence on my own practice.
DESCRIPTION
Nha Lua is an initiative dedicated to promoting menstrual dignity in Guinea-Bissau, a nation where women and girls encounter significant challenges during menstruation due to inadequate infrastructure and limited access to essential hygiene products. As part of the initiative, I was tasked with creating a pitch and fundraising video to garner support for the mission.The video concept revolves around depicting women at three distinct stages of life: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Highlighting the unique challenges they face during menstruation.
Set against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau, the video sheds light on the stigma surrounding menstruation, urging for the vital embrace of community support. The project successfully raised 7,000 and is now receiving ongoing support from [mention any supporting entities or organizations]. Directing this project entirely online presented its challenges, but the experience was immensely rewarding, knowing that my efforts contribute to improving menstrual health and dignity in Guinea-Bissau.
Reminder is an experimental coding exercise celebrating the month of March as Women's month. The webpage encourages its users to explore its content by scrolling the webpage and tapping the screen to reveal an image. To celebrate this amazing month I’ve decide to write my own code celebrating the ones I’ve felt inspired me in my creative journey. From political activists, musical artists to literature queens. Reminder aims to remind of the ones that “made it”, the ones that can go unnoticed and forgotten. Combining a stylized type with a modern non-serif to sort of represent both the past and present of their own narratives. A reminder of the ones that often get forgotten but that inspire millions.
DESCRIPTION
Alongside Elsa Djáta, I was honored to win an Open Call to illustrate "Mindjer Pólon: Storias di Balentia," a project under the "Women in Civic Spaces" initiative led by PELE in collaboration with UNDP Guinea-Bissau and the World Food Programme. This project aims to amplify women's voices by fostering inclusive civic engagement. Through the universal language of art, it seeks to empower communities, promote dialogue, and catalyze positive social change. What do you mean?! Is a collection of figurative prints that dive into the intricate layers of gender, race and misogny within hip hop lyrics.
The illustrations transmit an ambience of confusion and resentment through the character and the type play.
Illustrated lyrics from Jay Z, B.I.G., and Mos Def, focusing on how they portrayed women and race in hip-hop. One track that stood out was Jay Z's "Girls, Girls, Girls" (2001). In it, he stereotyped women based on race, shape, and size, which sparked in me a vibe of confusion and resentment. What intrigued me was how he referred to his "African chick" as "Miss Fufu" and described her attire as "primitive." He even compared her to a character from "Coming to America," highlighting the media's preference for lighter skin. By portraying her as “soft”, “exotic”and “well mannered “ vs the darker skin complexion as “untameable” “problematic” and “undesirable”.A narrative that still exists in our day and age.
“Wait" is a one-minute movie captured on analogue Bolex Super 16mm film. It delves into the concept of equivalence, condensing the essence of an idea or story into 1500 frames or 36 feet of film. This project serves as a study in maximizing every second and inch of space available. I invite you to ponder the intricacies of time and space as you unravel the mysteries of equivalence through analog storytelling, immersing yourself in its beauty.
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