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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 DESIGN STUDIO IN HOUSTON, TX

Akula Kreative

  • About
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  • Shop
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    • Design + Process
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Anna Wu Photography | re-branding + packaging

April 7, 2014 Nikki Mihalik
Anna Wu Photography

I met Anna in 2012 at Caroline Tran's Propel Workshop in Pasadena, but it wasn't until early this year that we started working together. Anna submitted three lovely photos to our Color Palette Contest, and ended up winning a free hour of design. From there, I helped her create a few items for a client thank-you package, then joined in one of her contests as a sponsor. Keeping in touch mostly via Facebook, I soon learned that Anna was looking to elevate her brand and increase marketing efforts in 2014. This, of course, piqued my interest and I reached out to her immediately...

Branding a new business is a lot of work. Re-branding an existing business is often MORE work. Now, add a "creative" on both ends and you have yourself a real challenge. ;) Lucky for me, Anna was ready and willing to dive in, and I'm so excited to share her new look!


What can we help you with?Minor logo tweak, color palette, typography, and pattern - plus packaging. More specifically, final photo delivery packaging. I'm considering wooden boxes this year.

What do you like about your logo? What don't you like about it?My biggest problem with the logo is that it looks like "AN" if you don't know that it's "AW." Otherwise, I like that it's unique, recognizable, and elegant.

What colors are you drawn to?Quiet but pretty. Not toooo feminine, but pastels leaning toward gray [and] colors of dusk. In the past, I've used teal - like a Tiffany blue. I think that puts me in a sea of other people using the same color, though.[hr]

Transforming Anna's logo was easier said than done, but we did it! After about six rounds of editing, we settled on a lambs-ear-colored mark :: a softer, more legible version that retained the appeal of the original.

Logo Development

For Anna's signature pattern, we went with a hand-painted watercolor diamond in peachy-pink. It's fun and whimsical, yet clean and composed.

Anna Wu Photography Branding // Akula Kreative

How would you describe your photography style?I describe my photography style as "fine art meets photojournalism." I love to combine a soft, beautiful, and understated aesthetic with a documentary approach to capturing candid moments and emotions. 

What do you love most about your job?Being a photographer has granted me extraordinary access to a whole range of stories that I would not have been able to share in otherwise. It's very much a part of who I am and how I experience the world.

What's the most difficult part about your job?The most difficult part of my job is the daily hustle of being a small business owner. The bulk of my work is unglamorously spent behind a computer screen, and I am often just trying to book more clients. Even a wonderfully successful year or an amazing magazine feature are never guarantees of future success, so I'm perpetually working to improve on all fronts. This kind of uncertainty is definitely not for everyone, but I embrace it as part of the adventure of self employment. I also love the continual growth and being able to look back on all the tangible changes I've undergone in my past seven years of business.


In what ways did you want to change your existing branding and/or packaging?I wanted to elevate my brand overall and to move toward a more custom, boutique experience for my clients. I wanted for my collateral to look very clean and better reflect the soft, quiet style of my photography. For my packaging, I wanted to do something much more put-together and deliberate instead of my existing DIY, eclectic approach to delivering client discs. I had seen Nikki's work creating packaging suites for other events and companies, so I knew this would be the perfect project for her.

Anna put together a Pinterest Board to show me the direction she wanted to take with her custom packaging. It was filled with engraved wooden boxes, elegant paper fill, and luxurious ribbons. From there, I designed, sourced, and crafted a complete sample that was shipped to her upon completion.

Custom Photography Packaging for Anna Wu // Akula Kreative

Anna's packaging suite includes:

  • A custom engraved maple and birch box (with a hidden compartment for prints)

  • Fine white paper shred

  • A wooden USB

  • A branded gift tag

  • A branded mini thank you note

  • A hand-stamped lavender sachet (which makes the box smell wonderful!)

  • Color-coordinated trimmings of silk and velvet ribbon


Lastly...any advice for small business owners looking to start the design process?

My biggest piece of advice would be to find a balance between being specific about what you want vs. letting go so your designer can do what they do best. I think this is a tension that comes out for anyone who works with creative professionals, but it's easily magnified when it's two creative professionals working with each other. For Nikki and me, the hardest part of the design process was starting with my logo. Because I didn't want to alter my existing logo too much, we ended up locked in a few rounds of very detailed edits on the exact shape of the new logo. I do love what we ended up with, but it's easy to lose sight of the creative process when all you're doing is dictating the exact measurements and having the designer create the files.

After that, we took a step back and the packaging portion of our design process was definitely more fun and felt more productive too. I gave Nikki some parameters and guidelines, but she ultimately ran with the ideas and created a full packaging suite that I got to see in its finished form as an actual sample box. I absolutely love the final results!

Thank you, Anna, for your honesty, patience, and dedication to the design process. We look forward to seeing your business grow!


Anna Wu is a San-Francisco-based photographer available for worldwide travel. For more info, please visit her website at annawu.com.

In packaging, recent work Tags Anna Wu, branding, photography packaging
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Thank you + have a nice day!

Here’s a peek at our Valentines envelopes that went out last week! If I didn’t love designing logos so much, I’d drop everything to start that custom envelope biz right now! 💌
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#envelope #brushlettering #envelopeart #envelopeaddressing #mailday #handmade #papergoods #paperlove #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #happymail #sendmoremail #penpal #stationery #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #craftsposure #flashesofdelight #stationeryaddict #shopsmall #texasmade #printdesign #graphicdesigner #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #tuesdaystogetherhtx #akulakreative
Head over to the blog to read the Q&A I had with @sarahainsworthphoto after her projects wrapped up. Learn about how she started her photography business, where she dreams of shooting, and what she thought of the [re]branding process. 🤔
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If your goal is to book bigger gigs or increase your prices, you need a brand that will attract those dream clients. Presentation is everything these days, and we would love to help you uplevel your business. Now booking late April / early June!
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📧 hello@akulakreative.com
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#qanda #q #a #lettering #typespire #typelove #typography #logo #logodesign #branding #brandidentity #brandingdesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #rebrand #graphicdesign #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstoncreatives #houstongraphicdesigner #calledtobecreative #creativetype #creativepreneur #bossbabe #htx #akulakreative
Getting everything in place for the week. 🙌🏼
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I finally decided to crawl out of my hole and do some networking in person, and I’m so glad I did. (I finally met @kindlybykelsea in person, and I loved meeting everyone at my table at @tuesdaystogetherhtx.)
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Recently, I read a great post by Jenika McDavitt about *luck* when it comes to business. If you think successful people are simply luckier than you are, think again. A study shows that so-called “lucky” people have THIS in common :: they meet a lot of people. That’s it! If you make a consistent effort to meet a variety of people, the chance of you meeting the right one is greater. Simple as that. Doesn’t that make so much sense?! I loved reading that. What a great reminder to get out, even if you think you’re too “busy” to network.
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Jenika has some amazing resources about psychology for creative professionals. I highly recommend her blog!
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👉🏼 psychologyforphotographers.com
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Photo by @kimberlychau
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#tuesdaystogetherhtx #communityovercompetition #createcultivate #risingtidesociety #branding #branddesign #brandstylist #mompreneur #creativepreneur #presentoverperfect #calledtobecreative #graphicdesign #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #texas #motivation #akulakreative
I officially want to blind emboss everything. Happy Friiiiiiday!
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#f #letterf #handlettering #typespire #typography #logo #logodesign #branding #brandidentity #brandingdesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #graphicdesign #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstoncreatives #houstongraphicdesigner #printdesign #stationery #stationerylove #emboss #blindemboss #stationerydesign #calledtobecreative #creativepreneur #bossbabe #dailydoseofpaper #papergoods #paperlove #htx #akulakreative
As a *token* of my love and appreciation, I made y’all a card! (I posted the free printable card on the blog that includes a link to the gold scratch-off stickers I used.)
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👉🏼 akulakreative.com/blog
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Swipe for another free printable card, perfect for guac lovers. 🥑
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👉🏼 prettypeas.com/blog
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Happy Valentine’s Day!!! 🖤
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#happyvalentinesday #freeprintable #illustration #mailday #handmade #papergoods #paperlove #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #happymail #sendmoremail #penpal #stationery #stationerylove #scratchoff #snailmailrevival #craftsposure #flashesofdelight #stationeryaddict #shopsmall #texasmade #htx #valentinesday #valentine #valentinesday2019 #freebie #prettypeaspaperie #akulakreative
A mock-up of the logo for The Big & Little Animal Rescue Ranch.
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In case my previous post seemed super random to you (and you don’t know me personally), I have a THING for dogs. When I was little, I wrote “dog” on my Christmas list every year until we got one when I was in seventh grade.
My dad was an avid animal lover as well, and after he passed away in 2008, I adopted a pit mix after fostering her for two weeks. She was nothing like the outgoing, boisterous golden retrievers I grew up with. She was scared of everything :: walks, objects held in your hand...even trash bags sitting on sidewalks. I still remember how excited we were the first time she accepted a toy and “played” with it. Over the years, she became a beloved member of our family and my loyal companion. She helped me through the loss of my dad, then years and years of not being able to have a baby.
This logo is based on her silhouette, and this little ranch is what I hope to build one day. The monogram has even more meaning to me because B and L are my dad’s initials. :)
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Anyway, if you’re still reading this... when I say “your logo should tell a story,” this is a great example. If you’d like to work together on something special, please contact me via our website. Spring is booking up quickly but I would be honored to have the opportunity to tell YOUR story! 🖤
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#bl #typography #monogram #typography #typelove #logo #logodesign #branding #branddesign #brandingforcreatives #creativepreneur #hustleandheart #brandingforphotographers #brandstylist #doglover #adoptdontshop #pitbullsofinstagram #womeninbusiness #houstongraphicdesigner #tuesdaystogetherhtx #risingtidesociety #animalrescue #creativehappylife #dog #doglogo #simplecleancreative #akulakreative
Anyone interested in this custom monstera leaf wax seal stamp? I’m cleaning out part of my studio and looking to rehome this little guy. For fun, I’d love to try to raise a small donation for my favorite local animal rescue, @cap4pets.
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Here are the rules:
- Bidding starts at $10. Your bid includes the cost of First Class shipping anywhere in the US.
- To bid, comment below with your dollar amount and tag the person above you (so they know they’ve been outbid).
- Each bid must increase by at least $1.
- Auction ends in 24 hours.
- I will DM the highest bidder. You must reply, make a payment via PayPal, and provide a shipping address within 24 hours or you forfeit your winning bid.
- All proceeds (minus the cost of shipping) will be donated.
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Only ONE of these wax seal stamps is left and it could be yours for the price of filling a homeless pup’s belly!!!
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P.S. Even if you don’t bid, I’d really appreciate you sharing this with someone who loves snail mail! Thank you so much!
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#waxseal #monstera #customwaxseal #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #sendmoremail #longlivesnailmail #sendmoreletters #branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #creativepreneur #calledtobecreative #creativehappylife #womeninbusiness #stationery #stationerydesign #stationerylove #dailydoseofpaper #paperlove #envelopeart #tropical #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #dogood #instaauction #akulakreative
“The creative adult is the child who has survived.” - Julian F. Fleron
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I don’t know about you, but rainy days are the most productive for me. There’s something about having to stay in and get cozy that gets me excited to hole up in the studio, make a cup of tea, and CREATE. Whatever it is you need, I hope you find it this Monday morning!
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Photo by @kimberlychau
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#branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #brandingworkbook #creativepreneur #calledtobecreative #creativehappylife #womeninbusiness #stationery #stationerydesign #stationerylove #dailydoseofpaper #paperlove #envelopeart #envelopeliner #watercolor #cactusclub #tuesdaystogetherhtx #houstongraphicdesigner #htx #simplecleancreative #akulakreative #mondaymotivation
For guac lovers and those EXTRA [special] people in your life. 🥑🖤
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Head over to our sister site for the free printable Valentine’s Day card!
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👉🏼 prettypeas.com/blog
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#extra #guacamole #freeprintable #guaclove #mailday #handmade #papergoods #paperlove #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #happymail #sendmoremail #penpal #stationery #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #craftsposure #flashesofdelight #stationeryaddict #shopsmall #texasmade #htx #valentinesday #valentine #valentinesday2019 #freebie #prettypeaspaperie #akulakreative
Gearing up to show you a couple of new SquareSpace sites that launched recently! In the meantime, here’s a peek at a little surprise I have coming for Valentine’s Day. Any guesses? (It’s not stamps, but it IS snailmail-related.) 🥑✉️
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#branding #branddesign #brandstylist #brandingforcreatives #graphicdesign #webdesign #studiolife #squarespace #squarespacedesigner #squarespacecircle #houstongraphicdesigner #houstonwebdesigner #htx #flashesofdelight #freebie #creativehappylife #creativehome #womeninbusiness #creativepreneur #bossbabe #akulakreative #prettypeaspaperie
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