We set intentions so we know what to say yes to. We’ve said yes to some really great stuff this year.

It’s been a nourishing 2024 thus far, friends. Busy and active, but not chaotic. We’ve been intentional with our choices:

Yes to heart work, not just hard work.
Yes to the four-day work week.
Yes to proactive, persistent, clear, and kind communication.
Yes to pausing, reflecting, adapting as needed, and celebrating every win.

Not yet to what isn’t necessary or right, right now.

No to manufactured urgency.
No to playing small.
No to what isn’t for us. (This is another way to hold space for what is.)

From Intention to Action

In January, we gathered in Chicago to scheme on the year ahead. Among other things, we called in:

a big, juicy bread and butter branding client
1+ bilingual branding project
a joint speaking invite
more collaborations with other studios and creatives
dope work with more arts and culture organizations
make more (really) cool (real) stuff
lots of learning, teaching and mentorship

It’s only April and we’ve checked a bunch of boxes off already. So far, we’ve…

Gone deep with Dentologie, helping the world’s friendliest dentist prepare to open in Seattle this month.

Designed a new brand and website for our soul sister Mai, the Palestinian author and cook behind Almond + Fig, which will launch publicly later this year.

Kicked off a brand + digital refresh with the Terra Foundation for American Art, whose recently refreshed mission, vision, and values make our hearts go boom.

Designed and launched the Watermelon Tee, in collaboration with our brother Kinan Moufti, to raise consciousness and funds for groups on the ground in Gaza.

Sprinted with One Design to get Watermelon Pictures ready for their close-up at the Chicago Palestinian Film Festival.

Published part of our origin story as a visual essay in the print magazine Faculty, by the Chicago Graphic Design Club. See the whole thing here.

Visited 4th year design students at DePaul and Columbia College to share some of our favorite exercises and ideas from the field.

Started plotting with Seekers Coffee to craft a brand built to open hearts and awaken spirits to new ways of thinking and being.

Got a tasty new case study up on the site showing off our work with MO, the Netflix comedy created by the iconic Mo Amer.

Springing Ahead

We’re grateful for what’s behind us, and ready for what’s ahead. Here’s a sneak peek:

MAY 18

We’ll be at the Deem Symposium, Designing for Dignity 02: A Convening of Possibilities.

JUNE

Keep an eye out for this year’s Core77 Design Awards Winners—Nermin’s in excellent company on the Branding + Identity jury.

SUMMER

Our pals at the Chicago Graphic Design Club have some great ideas for summer programming…follow CGDC to keep up with the latest. They’re so wonderful.

Stay sharp out there pals, stay strong.
We’ll see you in the field.

Kristin + Nermin