Creative Nestlings, as quoted from the website is, “a creative network committed to nurturing a curious, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial mindset amongst African youth on the continent + diaspora.”

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In 2018 , as an Ode to the support they had received from the growing network of creatives, Creative Nestlings compiled a coffee table book made-up of the advice and words of wisdom from creative entrepreneurs and artist in the African diaspora.

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Inspiration

The book curation and design took inspiration from publication and platforms like: Paddle against the flow, The KingfolkEntreprenuer , Monocle Guide to Better Living and FacultyDepartment just to name a few.

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Approach

When conceptualising the book, Creative Nestlings decided to curate the book as a sort-off 5 step journey towards being a successful creative entrepreneur. The process would be; Starting, Business, Failure, Working Together and Success. I designed unique icons for these sections.

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I took the Creative Nestlings logo as reference point and deconstructed it into a set of icons that graphically represent the idea of entrepreneurship as a ‘journey’ while still maintaining a visual relationship with the logo’s basic silhouette.

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Respect to The Art of Print.

It was important to us to give the publication a  well-designed ‘coffee table book’ finish, while making it a quick and easy read. All that in mind I still felt that a classic aesthetic needed to the overarching look and feel of the book.  An so as an Oud to old style book prints, I also stylized the drop case for the opening to new paragraphed in each new sections into a Victorian style font.

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Imagery

Creative Nestlings felt it best that each creative/artist submit their own imagery, thus, allowing them an opportunity to introduce themselves visually in a manner they felt was true to them. With this in mind I decided to not crop the images, giving them room to breathe and be interpreted in their intended form.

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Design Collaboration

The books cover was a collaboration between myself and the incredibly talented illustrator, Musonda Kabwe. who also created characters that he felt would work well within the different sections.

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Take Away

A well designed beautifully, curated book was the takeout. Due to limited funding, however, Creative Nestlings was unable meet the unexpected demand and interest for the book. For this reason Creative Nestlings looks to reprint a limited edition of the book that will include more words of inspiration from even more exciting, thoughtful creatives and artist on theAfrican continent.