#HERETOCREATE SIGN-MAKING WORKSHOP AT ADIDAS LONDON

This day last week, I ran my first biggest workshop to date! Adidas London invited me to run a short 'lettering & sign-making' workshop at their fitness studio in Brick Lane for their members as part of their initiative of bridging fitness, lifestyle and well-being .

Being a women-only studio, they wanted the workshop to incorporate mantras that epitomised female empowerment so I went on to create various typographic designs using both their mantras and a couple of my own with the view that these would then be motivational signs the girls would get to keep. I thought it'd be a nice little reminder of their creative session and most importantly, what they can achieve when they push their limits! 

With only a 1.5hours time period it meant that all the boards, in this instance, were prepped and drawn out by me prior to the class. This is something I usually get my students to do as part of the workshop structure but with a shorter timeframe, it logistically made sense have this part already prepared so that the girls could get more time to paint. The designs I made to use as stencils provided all the attendees the perfect base/starting point to paint from and a quick introduction to various lettering styles and colour ways,  they were encouraged to add their own flair and detail to their sign.

I have to admit I was anxious about it as I normally cap my workshops to 8-10 people (12/15 max if anything!) and have at least a minimum of 3hours but much to my relief and delight, it all worked out brilliantly in the end! I'm always amazed at how creative folk can be having never painted before and without question, leave buzzing with inspiration! 

A big thanks to @adidaslondon for hosting my taster lettering & sign-making workshop and to all the ladies who did a bloody great job this evening getting their paint on! 

If you'd like to host one of my workshops do feel free to drop me a line!!

Ps. Here’s a small recap of my night:

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

"YOU'RE SO MY TYPE" SOLO EXHIBITION AT DRINK, SHOP, DO

I can't quite believe this project is done and dusted, now full view to all the public. If you haven't already seen snippets from my Instagram and Twitter feed, then this is something special I've been working on for a solo exhibit. My first one! 

It was important to explore something unique for this show and so having had the desire to do some 3D type for a while, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to do so.....and to go big! 

My idea was to create something show-stopping, combining my love for 3D model-making and lettering techniques and craftsmanship together. And so I sketched out my type lock where each letter of the composition was of a different style. I wanted the over all piece to be dramatic as well as creatively challenging design and construct.

Below are two time-lapse videos of the installation; the first one was the initial set up being suspended solely from the ceiling and the second is where we rejig it after the launch night by mounting it to the wall for a more secure fixture (just to avoid kids or tipsy folk swinging off them over the 6months!) 

And this is what it looks like in situ. For more images of the exhibit, hop over to the projects tab here. 

Exhibition is on from March 01st to August 30th 2018 so do drop by and take a look. And if you take photos and share them, please tag me @molu_designs so it makes my day! :)

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

FIRST ROUND OF WORKSHOPS FOR 2018

I had my first set of 2018 workshops take place last month and it was a ball of fun. I still can't believe it's taken me over a year to get round to getting it finally organised but hey, better late than never!

The workshops take place over the weekends at our lovely and bright co-working studio space in East London - boy am I grateful to finally have the perfect studio space to host it in. Makes such a difference when you can run them in the comforts of your own space with all the materials etc to hand.  So, I guess all that hard graft and DIY back in winter 2016/2017 totally paid off!

That said, the second one was held at an external venue! I decided it made sense to do the odd one intermitently at a different place as it can be always useful from a marketing point of view.

This one was held at Mercato Metropoliano in Elephant & Castle - a once disused paper factory, it is now home to a large food market with an array of artisan street food (If you're a foodie it's definitely a MUST-DO place!) My workshop coincided with Crafty Fox Market to create an incredibly brilliant market vibe and i had the best time with my participants, including my very first young lettering artist in the making! You can find some more photos of that day here. 

IMAGE CREDIT :  Design Curator / Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

WINDOW GRAPHICS FOR RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, LONDON

This was a dream come true, working with Renegade Craft Fair at their London market. These guys are one of America's largest craft fairs and so to be able to create their entrance window graphics was just insane. 

Using their branding as reference, the idea behind the graphics was simply to make it eye-catching as possible from street level. This was important considering the venue and its location; on Brick Lane with a large footfall. 

The timeframe was tight so it was impressive that the turnaround was quick. Bearing that in mind, I opted to white wash the entire window and then etch into it the design we agreed on. 

Here's what how it all came about. For more project images, click here.

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

I've been meaning to do this for some time and so here it is! Being a start-up and a small independent business myself, I fully understand the constraints that come with having tight budgets yet you want to invest and do things properly so that your business stands out. 

So i've introduced budget-friendly market signage for indie businesses trading at markets and events so that their brand identity stands out nicely. You can't beat hand-painted signs that reflect the whole ethos behind the hand-crafted artisanal essence behind these businesses. Vinyl just doesn't cut it! Not being biased but it really doesn't! 

Anyway, if you or anyone you know that might be interested in this, take a look at the three standard sizes I'm offering at a flat rate in my SHOP section. 

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

STUDIO FRONTAGE REVAMP

Our studio frontage got a whole new facelift!

Since the whole new studio makeover early 2017, we collectively felt that the frontage needed to reflect the new interiors as well as resonate a sense of professionalism. So we agreed to paint the entire front a gunmetal grey (aka 'Railings by Farrow & Ball) and revert back to the original name Gallery East. We also decided it was best to list all the business names on the outside so that clients and deliveries could easily find us. 

Between the four of us, it took us a good solid day to paint the whole wall, including all the lettering and I have to say, it's looking pretty slick! 

So if you're ever in Limehouse, you know'll know where to find us! :) 

LETTERING A SHOWMAN'S WAGON

Had the pleasure of painting this fabulous showmans wagon for bridal wear designer Pearl Bespoke who recently acquired this beaut to become her mobile studio in Limehouse. Nestled within St Katherine's Precint compound, the wagon needed the business mark so it was easily identifiable from both street level and from the DLR line above. 

A simple application of the logo but one that totally helped the boutique stand out it its busy setting. It took a day's work to refine the logo and then paint it onto the wagon. It just goes to show how something so straightforward can add an effective touch to your business. 

More images to come into the portfolio section soon!

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]

This has taken far longer than anticipated but I guess it's expected when you're dealing with your own identity and branding.

So here it is - fresh new look for Molu Designs. You can see of the branding here. 

IMAGE CREDIT : Molu Designs
[All rights reserved ©MoluDesigns]