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Akula Kreative

9212 Fry Road | Suite 105 | #255
Cypress, TX, 77433
(858) 255-1230
branding + design for creative professionals

a graphic + web + print design studio

Akula Kreative

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    • Fast Facts
    • Are we a match?
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a peony-inspired color palette

September 9, 2016 Nikki Mihalik
a peony-inspired color palette // deep purple, pink, light gray

Ooooh, how GORGEOUS is this photo by Annie Spratt?! The color, mood, and texture are just...mmmmmm...perfect.

ALMOST BLACK #241024 / ROYAL PURPLE #451F43 / PURPLE.ISH #9D517D

DARK PINK #CC779C / LAVENDER-PINK #E1ACCB / ROSY-GRAY #ECD8DA

WHAT ARE THESE COLOR CODES? The “hex codes” above are provided as a courtesy for those customizing website colors or looking for general color inspiration. They are not based on paint or Pantone chips. Remember that ink on paper will never look the same as light on a screen. If you like a combination you see, we recommend saving the image and heading to your local hardware store to find paint chips that match. Digital colors will change depending on your phone/tablet/computer screen, so be sure to color match with real swatches. Also, I make up all the color names.

Happy Friday!

In color inspiration Tags color palette, peony, pink, purple, gray
Comment

a peony-inspired color palette

May 13, 2016 Nikki Mihalik
a peony-inspired color palette // light gray, pale blue, leaf green, fuchsia, pink

Nothing brightens my day like a pitcher full of peonies! Besides maybe a playpen of puppies.

LIGHT GRAY #E7E8ED / PALE BLUE #C2D1CE / EUCALYPTUS #A2B798

LEAF GREEN #697D5A / FUCHSIA #D6457E / PALE PINK #EBBFC0

WHAT ARE THESE COLOR CODES? The “hex codes” above are provided as a courtesy for those customizing website colors or looking for general color inspiration. They are not based on paint or Pantone chips. Remember that ink on paper will never look the same as light on a screen. If you like a combination you see, we recommend saving the image and heading to your local hardware store to find paint chips that match. Digital colors will change depending on your phone/tablet/computer screen, so be sure to color match with real swatches. Also, I make up all the color names.

Happy Friday, friends!

In color inspiration Tags gray, pink, green, blue, peony, color palette

a peony-inspired color palette

November 20, 2015 Nikki Mihalik
a peony-inspired color palette // slate gray, deep emerald green, sangria, taupe gray, blush pink petal

Truth :: these color palettes can take a long time to make...even when I'm working from the photo of someone else. Sometimes they feel like more of a chore than a fun, end-of-the-week ritual. Why? Believe it or not, I try really hard to come up with clever titles, even though I'm pretty sure no one reads them or even cares. (This excludes the recipes from Jamie - those titles were obvious.) Last night, the dog was at my side whining and carrying on because I hadn't fed her yet...and here I was, staring at the computer, tired, brain-dead, and trying to conjure up a peony pun. I peo-NEED this to work out? Nope, that's a stretch. A Peony for Your Thoughts? Been there, done that. Uggghhhh. Finally, I gave up, typed this in, and put my computer to sleep. Peonies Shmeonies, it is!

On another note, isn't this photo by Ananda Escudero Gomes perfection? The lightest of pinks against a matte, slate gray with deep greens and highlights of chartreuse and magenta...wowza.

SLATE GRAY #282828 / DEEP EMERALD #233319 / SANGRIA #673242

TAUPE GRAY #A49A99 / PICKLED OAK #E8DDD9 / LIGHT BLUSH PINK #F5EBE9

WHAT ARE THESE COLOR CODES? The “hex codes” above are provided as a courtesy for those customizing website colors or looking for general color inspiration. They are not based on paint or Pantone chips. Remember that ink on paper will never look the same as light on a screen. If you like a combination you see, we recommend saving the image and heading to your local hardware store to find paint chips that match. Digital colors will change depending on your phone/tablet/computer screen, so be sure to color match with real swatches. Also, I make up all the color names.

YAY, Friday!! Have a great weekend!

In color inspiration Tags black, color palette, gray, green, magenta, peony, pink, taupe
2 Comments

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Why is it that, the longer your To Do List is, the harder it is to focus? Don’t you hate the feeling of being so busy and flustered that you can’t think straight?! Grr. I just want to say, “Brain!! Get it together, already!!!” To help with this, I designed a printable Weekly To Do list. I honestly can’t live without it. There’s something about seeing all my tasks written on an actual piece of paper (AND being able to check them off one by one) that allows my mind to settle down and focus. If you’d like a copy, simply sign up for our newsletter and the printable will automatically be sent to you. (If you’re not interested in another newsletter, hear me out: 1) I get it. But don’t worry, I only send it out a few times per year 2) You can opt out any time 3) When I do send it out, you’ll get early access to stuff, freebies, and maaaybe a discount here and there) . 🍻 Cheers to a productive week!! . P.S. If you’re already a subscriber but didn’t get this printable, let me know and I’ll email it to you! . . . . #babypreneur #mompreneur #meatwork #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
Have you ever delayed starting something because you haven’t had time to “properly prepare” yet? In your mind, you’re thinking, “I’m not making excuses; I just want to do it the right way before I fully commit.” Believe me, I get it. I can think of 3 examples right off the bat: 1) CrossFit. I’ve always wanted to try it, but I feel like I have to be in great shape before I humiliate myself in front of strangers. 2) Finishing a business course I’ve already paid for. I KNOW it will help me, but I’d rather sit down for 1 week straight than nibble at it 1 hour at a time. “I’ll just wait until I have a chunk of time...” 3) Updating my website. It feels like such a big task that I’d rather wait for the “perfect time” than just. get. started. Working on your own business is so freaking hard. For me, it’s not having hard deadlines or pressure from other people that leads to procrastination. Here’s the thing, though :: THERE WILL NEVER BE A PERFECT TIME TO START. Whether you’re building a website or trying to DIY something you could hire someone else to do, this magical chunk of free time will never come. So, what can you do? Start now. Or, if possible, hire a pro and call it a day. I totally GET this feeling of overwhelm and wanting to prep perfectly for the big stuff. But you have to start SOMEWHERE. If there’s anything I can help you with, whether it’s design-related or not, tell me and I’ll either help directly or help you think of ways to get the ball rolling. . . . . . #handlettering #startnow #motivation #accountabilitybuddy #branding #branding101 #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
Which secondary logo concept is your fave: 1, 2, 3, or 4? Did you notice the letters A and J in the last option? . BTW / What IS a secondary logo? It’s basically an abbreviated version or coordinated mark that complements your full or primary logo but fits in a smaller square or circular shape. If your business name is on the longer side, it can be tough to scale it down to something tiny, regardless of how awesome your designer is. For instance, could you imagine trying to fit “Allison James Photography” within a 1-inch wax seal? Nope, I wouldn’t recommend it! Enter... the secondary logo! These little guys are perfect for social media profile pics and packaging because they were MADE to be small. The next time you hire a designer, be sure to ask for logos in several different layouts to ensure maximum flexibility for the future. You never know what kind of spaces you’ll have to work with, so plan ahead! . This client’s name is NOT Allison James, but I’m keeping it under wraps until her new website launches. Stay tuned for the reveal of her rebrand! . . . . #branding101 #monogram #AJ #floralinspo #logodesign #handlettering #typespire #typographydesign #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #floraltattoo #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
🎶 “Ain’t no mountain high enough... to keep me from gettin’ [through] you.” Double-tap if you think one of the best perks of working for yourself is getting to blast whatever music you want, as loud as you want, whenever you want. 💃🏻 . Also... here is a PEAK at what I’m working on today. 🤣🤓😬 (Dammit, should have led with that.) It’s a teeny tiny piece of a much more complicated layout that I am sooo exciiiiited about. Can’t wait to share... . . . . . #icon #mountain #mountainlife #minimalist #logodesign #sharebeauty #spreadjoy #handlettering #brushlettering #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
I’m working my way through #TheBlueprintModel again and last night I drafted my mission statement for the coming year :: Share Beauty + Spread Joy. I KNOW it sounds cheesy, but those two things are at the heart of literally everything I do. As a designer (and even as an “artist”), I often say I want to “create beauty,” but, if you really think about it, what I’m doing is putting beautiful things together. I take things that already exist—color, shape, texture—mix them up, mold them, tweak them... then share them. Why? To spread joy. I want my feed, my website, my work to simply bring JOY to people when they see it, regardless of whether or not they hire me. It’s the same reason I make cards, send snail mail, design color palettes, or even plan parties. If I died tomorrow, I’d want people to be able to say, “Hey, she did a thing once that brightened my day.” It’s not a huge goal, I know, but it’s what inspires me to keep this business going. This weekend, I challenge you to think about YOUR business’s mission statement. What stands at the core of what you do? What is your ultimate, SIMPLE goal? . . . . . #missionstatement #goals #sharebeauty #spreadjoy #handlettering #brushlettering #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
Raise your hand if you agree that dogs save humans more than humans save dogs. There’s something about the out-of-control butt wiggling, quiet snuggling, and simple need to just *be* with you that makes you feel more important and more loved than you ever thought possible. Shortly after my dad passed, I started scrolling through the local Humane Society website and stopped at a pic of a black and white pit mix. There was something about her sad but gentle expression (and the way she actually sat ON her butt) that made me sign up to foster her. Two weeks later, we signed adoption papers and moved her in permanently. She had a lot of issues to work through due to previous abuse, but she truly did more for my emotional well-being than I did for hers. She saw me through deaths of loved ones and a very long journey of trying to conceive. In fact, she out-lived two different vets’ predictions... just long enough to say goodbye to me when Em was around 2 months old. Every time a dog passes, you think, “Whyyyy can’t they live longer?!! I’ll never love another dog this much again!” But then, you do. I can’t wait to meet our next furry friend, whenever and however that happens! . This illustration was part of a creative exercise I did for a dog photographer’s branding project several years ago. I still love looking back at all the concepts we explored! . . . . . #nationaldogday #nationaldogday🐶 #doglover #dogillustration #dogmom #adoptdontshop #pitbullsofinstagram #notabully #houstongraphicdesigner #houstongraphicdesign #htx #branding #buildyourbrand #akulakreative
What does the end of summer mean for you? Are you celebrating with mimosas that your kiddos are headed back to school, crying that they’re growing up, dreading the increase in traffic, or counting down the days til you can wear a sweater? I read a post yesterday about Texas summer that said, “Dear God, Whatever you’re baking is DONE.” Lol. Anyway, I’m drawing a set of custom social media icons this morning and realizing how lucky I am to do something so joyful, fun, and fulfilling for a living. (These gemstone sunglasses were inspired by my client’s daughter who is frequently seen wearing them in her feed. How cute are they?!) So, yeah... no deep thoughts today... just celebrating the last Friday of summer with a cute illustration. 😎 Have a great weekend and drink a mimosa for me! . . . . . #summervibes #sunglasses #endofsummer #handdrawn #illustration #branding #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
I’m only a few pages in to “Building a Brand Story,” but I can already share one key takeaway — that is, you need to communicate what you offer clearly and quickly. The harder customers have to think, the more turned off they’ll be. That’s why one of my jobs as a designer is to CLARIFY your message so people pay attention. See this image? Where did you look first? In a sea of the same envelopes, your eyes were drawn to that one with the floral flap, right? As my client, you may have a LOT to convey, but it’s my goal to lead your customers’ eyes from one strategic place to the next. Things like scale, color, and white space tell people, “Look here first! Then here! Then here! Still paying attention? Great! Read more here.” The easier (and more fun) you can make it for them, the longer they’ll stick around. . Thank you for this book, @birdandhyssop! 🖤 . . . . . #envelopeart #snailmail #handdrawnflowers #floralillustration #branding #branding101 #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
Raise your hand if you’re more of a “behind-the-scenes” kinda person... like me in this alpaca photo. 😬 Being the FACE (and brains... and hands... and heart) of my business hasn’t been easy, but a few weeks ago I bit the bullet and got in front of the camera for my first ever brand film. When Nikki from @trippfilms sent me the first draft, this is literally how I watched it: 🙈 All I could think was, “Ahh, I sound so serious! My hair is too poofy! Why do I close my eyes so much?!! Do I seriously look and sound like this when I talk IRL?” But then... as I watched it over and over and over, I kind of got used to it. I know how important it is for people to see and hear the person they’re about to hire, so YES, I’m glad I did it. While I do *not* love being the center of attention, I DO love my work. I’m genuinely excited for you to get a tiny glimpse into my creative day-to-day, so stay tuned for a preview. 🖤 . Portrait by @carolinetran . . . . . #dosomethingthatscaresyou #creativehappylife #fridayintroductions #buildyourbrand #selfportrait #alpaca #bigandlittleranch #creativepreneur #introvertlife #tuesdaystogetherhtx #communityovercompetition #houstongraphicdesigner #houstonwebdesigner #htx akulakreative
Let’s talk about why branding matters. Think of it like this :: Branding is the beautiful wrapping that surrounds a special gift (aka, your amazing work). It builds excitement, gives people a hint at what’s to come, and sets their expectations for something even better. It’s an opportunity to turn a crumpled paper bag into a perfectly wrapped box that’s begging to be ripped open. It’s a little voice saying, “Pick me! Pick me!” during an office gift exchange. You want customers to pick YOU, right? Then wrap your gift in a way that will get their attention. 🤗 . . . . . #typography #handlettering #branding #branding101 #creativeprocess #creativehappylife #creativepreneur #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #buildyourbrand #houstoncreatives #heartandhustle #calledtobecreative #communityovercompetition #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #womeninbusiness #akulakreative
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