HOW KYEN CAME ABOUT
Every brand has a captivating origin story at its core, and I'm excited to take you on a journey through mine. It all began with my deep-seated passion for interior design which I enthusiastically shared through my social media platforms. To my amazement, the response from viewers was nothing short of extraordinary.
As I curated and posted my interior discoveries, the virtual applause echoed in the form of inquiries from family and friends turned into an invitation to provide advice on the interior dilemmas. Delighted to be a part of their home renovation and furnishing endeavors, I found my calling in turning spaces into personalized works of art. This is the story behind the brand, where every corner is a chapter, and every piece is a reflection of the passion that started it all.
My journey in this venture continued to flourish, running in tandem with my then day job as an Account Manager at A1 Outdoor, a prominent leader in the Out-of-Home (OOH) industry. I took on an additional role as a volunteer project manager for sister's companies, overseeing projects that revolved around interior design. Notable endeavors included the transformation of spaces like the The Bay restaurant, and Kilimanjaro wonders and several other remarkable projects.
Amid the twists and turns of life, I encountered a significant life change in the form of a divorce. As I navigated the path to self-discovery, I embarked on a fresh start by launching an Instagram account dedicated to the world of interior design - a platform that serves as a canvas showcasing spaces that inspire and more importantly, to educate others about the dos and don'ts of styling and furnishing their living spaces.
With the page originally named “home lovers”, with its logo being designed by my colleague, QM Concepts (which I loved with all my heart), I realized I wanted a name that brings a more soulful connection towards home. Thanks to my dear friend Mohamed, who's been with me through thick and thin, we birthed the new name – "Kyen." This word holds a special significance as it translates to "being home" in Kichagga, a Bantu dialect originating from the enchanting slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the very place I'm lucky enough to call my HOME - Moshi.
As my page continued to grow and evolve, my passion for interior design grew stronger. I decided to take things a step further by enrolling in an online diploma course in South Africa. However, in the midst of my studies, I found out I was expecting, which, although it brought some delays, only fueled my determination to complete the course.
My deep interest for homes and my goal of making Kyen a sanctuary for home enthusiasts, exclusively focusing on residential interiors, led me on a journey to craft a timeless brand design which involved a series of logo design changes as I sought one that truly embodied modern elegance while meeting my aspirations.
When I turned to Instagram in search of a graphic designer, I stumbled upon cafeaulait.studio whose minimalist designs immediately captivated me. After a quick DM, we exchanged numbers, and I shared my brand aspirations with her through her questionnaire that helped clarify the nature of my business, target audience, color preferences, business goals, and inspirational brands. With the contract signed, we fast-forwarded through the creative process to what you see today.
I eagerly shared a mood board for inspiration before the final logo creation, thrilled by my love for typography logos and confident that Stella would deliver an authentic, timeless, and unique design. My advertising background instilled in me the understanding of building a brand from inception to completion, leading me to embrace a 360-degree approach for the bigger brand vision. This approach allowed me to address all business elements under a mother brand, ultimately establishing a comprehensive Corporate Identity (CI) that promoted cohesion among the main brand and its sub-brands.
Initially, we were presented with three logo options, and the one above truly connects with its timeless and refined design, perfectly aligned with the use of nude colors and fonts, becoming the main identity complemented by sub-brands, when it is the right time to be unveiled. In addition to Kyen's rebranding, we collaborated with Stella to ensure consistent brand platforms by designing the website, drawing inspiration from market leaders, culminating in a stunning website layout that aligned with our vision.
We presented these designs for review and approval, and right from the outset I really loved Stella's minimalist creative approach, confident in her ability to do justice to our brand from the initial impression of the layouts and chosen fonts. Despite being based in France, Stella's commitment to our project was unwavering through chats, emails, and calls, making sure every detail was in sync, effortlessly breathing life into our website and bringing the brand to the next level. Alongside the significant branding efforts, coffee dates and post-work meetings with our Creative Director Consultant , Asinati Mawalla, played a pivotal role in refining our brand and services.
We’re thrilled that everything has been brought to life and we’re fully prepared to cater to your needs. For more details on the services we provide, please feel free to reach out.
In the meantime, stay tuned as we reveal a brand new chapter - KYEN STAYS where we bring you Airbnb projects of our own and flipping houses projects that will be up for sale.
We are happy to have you around on this journey.
Adios