Hello, I’m Unfamiliar Flair.
A multi-faceted Artiste, Art Director and Entrepreneur.
I’m pretty ecstatic to have you scroll by. Karibu sana!
Creative Business
I created theflairpad. A productivity brand that empowers everyday creatives to plan and draw.
theflairpad. specialises in handcrafting notepads for daily use and creates content that informs and inspires everyday creatives to be productive.
SHOP THE FLAIRPAD
Expertise
For the past 5 years, I’ve worked in advertising, packaging and branding.
Currently working as an Art Director at Brand2D, I use a human centered design thinking approach to help visionary brands win hearts by giving depth to their identity and communications.
On ground, no design process looks like the other. Clients tend to have different styles of working and collaborating which as a result, makes the creative process flexible. However, I do immerse myself in the interests of the business; seeking to understand the nature and the WHY of the task ahead.
The foundation of any successful project is a comprehensive brief. This is where 50% of the project gets done – before it even starts. I enjoy casual meetings with clients. Getting to know them on a personal level helps me understand their ways of working, perception on creativity, expectations around the business just to name a few. A lot of who we are, goes into what we do. Briefing proceeds with doing extensive research on everything I can find on and around the brand by creating style scapes that help frame the design execution.
Thereafter, I assimilate and dissect the information and ideas sourced through a human design thinking approach with client. Feedback is key through every stage of the process as collaboration is held with high regard. Once a visual direction is established, sketching and ideations follow, sourcing design resources to refine, digitalise or print the concepts.
Client reviews and feedback go on until we both get it right. The process doesn’t end there, I am always happy to challenge the existing great to be greater over time, with the business’ best interests at heart.
SEE MY PORTFOLIO
Music
In October of 2019, I released an EP titled InBetween. Yes, I am a songbird too!
The 5 song electronic playlist is about the mixed feelings that sometimes come with love. It narrates instances where one may want a happily ever after, but keeps sabotaging the intention by their own selfish desires.
LISTEN TO INBETWEEN
Meet Irene Michuki
Curious to know the girl behind Unfamiliar Flair?
If I could choose one thing that I would do for the rest of my life, It would be art – over and over within a heartbeat and without a pause. Growing up, crayons and artsy stationary were my happy place. It was a world where I could create without a pre-determined expectation of any outcome. It’s no surprise that I caught my mother’s attention one time when I drew Flinstones and gifted her with it. It made her happy and that made me happy 🙂
Since then, I’ve been chasing the arts through music, crafting and design. It’s safe to say, it was the best decision I ever made. College in BIFA has so far been the highlight of my life. Being crowned Miss BIFA in 2013 and awarded as the Best Graphic Design student while graduating in 2015 were some of the accolades I received, as a celebration of my undying love for creativity and self expression. While at it, I had the opportunity to work at Haco Brands, where I gained Customer Relation Skills and got to interact with Print Procedures. I later debuted into the digital agency scene at Habari Consulting where I first fell in love with Website Design and afterwards joined Brand2D, where I am currently an Art Director, designing dope a** work and pursuing my passion for music and creative entrepreneurship.
I am hugely fascinated by water; probably the loudest and yet the most quiet in my circle and I’m completely taken by the minimal aesthetic.
I am a smart individual.
I would love to work with you. Hire me!
I am currently available for collaborations, sponsorships, project work and creative / design consultations.