Beyond the Season's Greetings: A tale of African Inspired Design

At our brand, challenges are not merely obstacles; they represent opportunities for growth and innovation. We actively seek to push boundaries and explore new creative avenues. Each year, we embark on a journey to develop unique corporate gifts for our clients and potential partners. The year 2023 was particularly special for me, as I took the lead in designing the “Season’s Greetings” card.?

The Quest for Uniqueness

As the design process unfolded, I realized that our initial concepts, while beautiful, lacked a distinctive flair. We found ourselves leaning on familiar motifs such as winter trees, snowflakes, and traditional Christmas accessories. Yet, we wanted to transcend the conventional notion of a Christmas card, which often implied specific religious connotations. Instead, we opted for the "Season's Greetings" to be inclusive, celebrating the end of the year for everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.

This realization sparked a strong desire to create a card that was free from traditional symbols, allowing us to step into uncharted territory. After various brainstorming sessions, we decided to infuse African features and motifs into our design, fortunate to discover numerous stunning patterns that represented our heritage.

Crafting a Statement Piece

Our selection process led us to one particular design that encapsulated both elegance and cultural significance. The envelope became a centerpiece in its own right— so exquisite that it could steal the spotlight from the card itself. This was not just about a card; it was our way of showcasing creativity and authenticity in our gifts.

Sharing the behind-the-scenes of this creative endeavor became part of our narrative. The finished Christmas card radiated excellence, and I felt a sense of pride that didn’t stem solely from my involvement.?

Redefining Classic Gifts

Beyond the card design, we set out to elevate other corporate gifts, starting with our unique notepad. We envisioned a product that could stand shoulder to shoulder with premium offerings from countries like South Africa, China, India, and the UK. The vision was clear: a simple yet classic design.

By sourcing 1,400 grams of straw board, we distinguished our notepad with a sturdier base. Rather than traditional leather, we used binding cloths paired with black foiling—adding a touch of sophistication without compromising quality. Each name was meticulously foiled in black, giving an air of luxury to this everyday item.

What truly set our notepad apart was the choice of inner paper. Using a 120 grams cream bond elevated the quality to a level that was practically unheard of in our market. This attention to detail resulted in a product that felt substantial and elegant—qualities we were eager to share.

The Impact of Thoughtful Design

Besides the notepad, our unique pens and cups complemented our gifting strategy effectively. Among all the souvenirs we distributed last year, the notepad and the Season's Greetings card received the most attention. I recall a client who had already shared their own Season's Greetings. Upon receiving our version, they were so impressed that they rushed to redesign their own.

This journey has marked us as pioneers in using African motifs to design a Season's Greetings card, breaking away from traditional Christmas imagery. The final products not only upheld quality but also embodied our commitment to thinking creatively and distinctly.

A Commitment to Excellence

Through this challenge, we reaffirmed our dedication to thinking outside the box and delivering exceptional products. Every step taken, from the brainstorming sessions to the final outputs, reflects our brand's values and innovative spirit. The images of our creations will soon be shared to inspire others as we continue to push boundaries and embrace the extraordinary in our corporate gifting.

Snapshots

Credit to Olaide Owolabi, Rokeeb Oladipupo, and Uwem Essien. They contributed tirelessly to work and reworked both the design and production process until we were all satisfied that it was a landmark production.