Gah, Keeley, I love this. As a very visual person, I am right there with you. And yes to "visual narrative" too (ta @russellnohelty) - I go about my day as though it is visually scripted (though it is disappointing sometimes, lol), and I particularly approach my artwork and writing this way. The brand of me!
Oh well done! I've designed a couple of book covers in my time, and there are so many layers of how you signal with them - not just what the book is about, but the type of genre it is too, what type of person it might appeal too. I think some people might just not be aware of exactly what has been signalled to them in this 'branding'
Such a joy to be connected to you Keeley and get to read your words, that say so eloquently what’s in my heart. I want to turn everything into pictures and put so many into my letters sometimes I worry they’re a little overloaded 😜 and I read other people’s posts longing to draw pictures for them to include! (Oh if only there were more time!) I love pictures and I love words. And I love the magic that’s created when they come together to create something new and beautiful. I think you’re right that the word ‘branding’ has got somewhat lost in a host of negative vibes and I still can’t decide on the ‘right’ fonts for me, but perhaps my carefree randomness says something on its own 💛
What the... Keeley you managed to write so much in that time... and so eloquently! Gosh you were way too hard on yourself to say that you didn’t like it!
All that formatting makes such a huge difference! Mines too short for formatting but now I know the potential!
Yes keeley, as you would guess I am soooo hear for the visuals!!! I too have a ‘flip’ brain, or rather I see spaces and people often in slow still movies... a little weird I know. When I heard you & Sara talking about sharing an image, it’s been a total light bulb for me as I use so much visuals in my work anyways, why not also bring them to Substack! Thank you for shedding a little light on your process too 🙏🏻
P.s. I also get clients to give me 3 words to describe how they want their space to look/feel. So lovely to read you use this too and apply it to your industry. It really helps to get to the heart of what you are hoping to express doesn’t it 👌🏼
I love this! It really helps to have 'branding' decoded for those of us who come from sectors where that's not part of the lingo and is therefore associated with something corporate.
Excited to learn about Iron Chef posts! Last week I wrote something impromptu and quick (didn't post it though cos I'm not sure if my audience knows what's going on yet /excuses). Think I'll use the iron chef post to invite them in (and tell them how to switch off emails so I can post to my heart's content).😊
Yes. Sigh. It’s so exhausting when people just dismiss visual stories because of one word. Yes! The iron chef challenge was sooooo much fun & so hopeful for silencing the overwhelm & our inner perfectionist.
Love this! Can’t believe you’ve written this in master piece in 60 mins!
I also think in visuals, picture everything I read visually, remember things how they looked like where something was written on a paper, aka photographic memory. I find Substacks easier to read when there’s some sort of visuals and things that bring me joy, beyond good writing of course.
I have little knowledge of branding only what I’d intuitively do as someone with a creative eye so this is super helpful to read.
Also, did I already say I’m impressed by the short time it took you to write this?
It’s super rough & clunky but it was SO much fun. Absolutely loved that challenge. Yes! I wonder if I have a photographic memory too sometimes. I totally agree, visuals make the stories easier for me to fall into but not always, it’s such a balance. X
I’m here for the visual narrative 🥰. A much softer journey into knowing ourselves and what we want to share rather than branding and palettes. Thank you!
I truly resonate with this perspective. It dispels the misconception many people have that branding is purely superficial. As someone who works extensively with branding, I find your ability to articulate this concept incredibly refreshing! Thank you for these words ❤️
Gah, Keeley, I love this. As a very visual person, I am right there with you. And yes to "visual narrative" too (ta @russellnohelty) - I go about my day as though it is visually scripted (though it is disappointing sometimes, lol), and I particularly approach my artwork and writing this way. The brand of me!
Visually scripted days. Sigh. Yes. 💖
I am very, very impressed by this Iron Chef post. I need to learn how to tell stories more concisely like this.
You might like one of our lessons this week then! ❤️
I didn’t even KNOW how much I needed this class 🤦🏼♀️😆⭐️
Saaaame 🫣
Oh well done! I've designed a couple of book covers in my time, and there are so many layers of how you signal with them - not just what the book is about, but the type of genre it is too, what type of person it might appeal too. I think some people might just not be aware of exactly what has been signalled to them in this 'branding'
Such a joy to be connected to you Keeley and get to read your words, that say so eloquently what’s in my heart. I want to turn everything into pictures and put so many into my letters sometimes I worry they’re a little overloaded 😜 and I read other people’s posts longing to draw pictures for them to include! (Oh if only there were more time!) I love pictures and I love words. And I love the magic that’s created when they come together to create something new and beautiful. I think you’re right that the word ‘branding’ has got somewhat lost in a host of negative vibes and I still can’t decide on the ‘right’ fonts for me, but perhaps my carefree randomness says something on its own 💛
The joy is all mine. ❤️ and I couldn’t agree more about the words & pictures. What a power couple.
Oh so that’s what I was meant to do with that header image 😂
What the... Keeley you managed to write so much in that time... and so eloquently! Gosh you were way too hard on yourself to say that you didn’t like it!
All that formatting makes such a huge difference! Mines too short for formatting but now I know the potential!
Thank you Maggie 💗 It’s a bit rough & clunky but I’m leaving it alone in honour of the challenge. Recovering perfectionist here. 🙈
Oh wow. This is exactly what I needed to read today, thank you
Yes keeley, as you would guess I am soooo hear for the visuals!!! I too have a ‘flip’ brain, or rather I see spaces and people often in slow still movies... a little weird I know. When I heard you & Sara talking about sharing an image, it’s been a total light bulb for me as I use so much visuals in my work anyways, why not also bring them to Substack! Thank you for shedding a little light on your process too 🙏🏻
P.s. I also get clients to give me 3 words to describe how they want their space to look/feel. So lovely to read you use this too and apply it to your industry. It really helps to get to the heart of what you are hoping to express doesn’t it 👌🏼
Absolutely! ⭐️
Oh I love visuals, they just elevate whatever it is that I’ve written or am working on. It’s exciting when I find THE perfect visual 🤩🙌🏻
I love this! It really helps to have 'branding' decoded for those of us who come from sectors where that's not part of the lingo and is therefore associated with something corporate.
Excited to learn about Iron Chef posts! Last week I wrote something impromptu and quick (didn't post it though cos I'm not sure if my audience knows what's going on yet /excuses). Think I'll use the iron chef post to invite them in (and tell them how to switch off emails so I can post to my heart's content).😊
Yes. Sigh. It’s so exhausting when people just dismiss visual stories because of one word. Yes! The iron chef challenge was sooooo much fun & so hopeful for silencing the overwhelm & our inner perfectionist.
*helpful, even.
Love! I’ve always loved creating a visual narrative- really like that word, thank you ❤️
Thank you Kat! Your visual stories are always captivating. xx
Love this! Can’t believe you’ve written this in master piece in 60 mins!
I also think in visuals, picture everything I read visually, remember things how they looked like where something was written on a paper, aka photographic memory. I find Substacks easier to read when there’s some sort of visuals and things that bring me joy, beyond good writing of course.
I have little knowledge of branding only what I’d intuitively do as someone with a creative eye so this is super helpful to read.
Also, did I already say I’m impressed by the short time it took you to write this?
It’s super rough & clunky but it was SO much fun. Absolutely loved that challenge. Yes! I wonder if I have a photographic memory too sometimes. I totally agree, visuals make the stories easier for me to fall into but not always, it’s such a balance. X
I’m here for the visual narrative 🥰. A much softer journey into knowing ourselves and what we want to share rather than branding and palettes. Thank you!
Visual narratives just feels right. 💗
I truly resonate with this perspective. It dispels the misconception many people have that branding is purely superficial. As someone who works extensively with branding, I find your ability to articulate this concept incredibly refreshing! Thank you for these words ❤️
Couldn’t agree more. Lovely to connect with a fellow visual storyteller. ❤️
I really love this post. Also I love flip books.
Me tooo! This was the *exact* flip book I had too. What are the chances of finding that on YouTube when I searched flip book.