CREATIVE VISIONARIES
Wired to lead from authenticity, not conformity, we ground authentic visionary ideas in on-brand aesthetics.
The studio specialises in creating refined, high-end design for premium brands that support sustainability, responsible travel, wellness and creative lifestyles. Brands are born from a strong alignment between purpose, audience and design aesthetics. The approach blends clarity with creative intuition, ensuring every element, from logo to application, speaks with intention and resonates emotionally. With Studio KÁ, your brand becomes more than a “look”. It becomes a sanctuary that invites connection, inspires audience loyalty, and sets a new standard for luxury that is intentional; rooted in meaning.
NATURE / WELLNESS / TRAVEL / LIFESTYLE
“With an understanding of both basic brand foundation and aesthetics, I partner with visionary founders to create brands that feel immersive, elegant, and rooted in purpose.”
Every brand design detail is considered, from visual language to tone of voice, creating a cohesive and elevated presence. The work we create together bridges the gap between luxury and sustainability, helping you stand out with authenticity, substance and aesthetically pleasing results - resonating with both the creator (you) and audience.
THE CREATOR / MEET KAREN
“A natural born Earth Child, my first love has always been being outdoors; and when indoors, doing something creative.”
“Kaaareeeeen!”, my mom calls to see where I am as I’m planting pansies under the blossoming plum tree. This describes a snippet of a childhood rescuing injured doves from the cat, tending to the “zoo” in our back yard consisting of cats / dogs / bunnies / chickens… (in the city…) and creating arts of all kinds (the list is long), concocting all sorts of food recipes (my mom was the reluctant, yet brave taster), baking, studying medicinal herbs that ended up taking over the garden, reading, writing, daydreaming, cycling, figure skating, composing piano pieces, taking photos, climbing trees and running up and down the African quartz cliffs during my dad’s archeological excursions; in the place where golden rhino’s and other historical African treasures were traded in sacred past times… I was always surrounded and nourished by the magic of Earth and artistic creation; a way of being I could not imagine expressing otherwise.
I started yoga at 14 at the recommendation of my kinesiologist and energy healing practitioner. Not knowing it at the time, it shifted a way of being from a young age, deepening my connection with all Life and looking at things from often “questionable” angles - in the best ways possible!
After finishing a 4-year honours degree in Information Design, followed by a volunteering adventure in a kibbutz kitchen/bakery in Israel, I started a career in branding. A spark was lit when I worked on the full rebrand of the &Beyond identity in 2012. Many international projects, industries and travels later, I worked on the Wilderness Safaris internal brand book (2017). These two projects flamed the fire in my soul and I was committed to designing with purpose. True purpose. One that gives back as much as it consumes. With integrity. And, to say the least — in a beautiful way!
Separate from design, my personal interests of living a wellness-led life includes a history of teaching one-on-one beginners transformation and hatha yoga to close friends, accompanied by visual meditation journeys. For my personal ongoing expansion and practice, I’ve explored herbology and plant medicine, Ayurveda, EFT, Energy Medicine, Kahuna body work, access bars, light language, sound, and multiple other fascinating quantum healing modalities.
It is my time now, to return to Eden and share her voice, promoting a new way of stewarding the elementals, and to support the voice of those who choose to do the same.
KÁ PHILOSOPHY + VISION
“To weave practical communication design with an aesthetic sensitivity, is a powerful tool to share impactful information in a way that people take note, and integrate in memory. Dare I say, it can alter perspectives — for good.”
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” ~ John Keats
When I start a new brand project, I take each client through a simple exercise to extract their core essence in one word to guide their brand journey. My word is “beauty”. To imagine beauty. To see beauty. To create beauty. Beauty — a verb — and an unspoken form of instant gratitude.
Beauty; a magnetic and palpable force that draws attention to itself, yet simultaneously exudes an eternal energy of abundance outwards, simply by existing and showing itself naturally. Beauty stills the mind in its tracks. A moment of awe is pure presence, where past and future does not exist. And then there is a moment of expansion. Of being at one with all; the space where all of potential of Creation exists.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder and each has their own personal style and preferences, nature itself is a universal form of beauty almost everyone can agree to is magnificent. Earth needs no other purpose, except, to exude this beauty as a gift to humanity. This needs to be protected; nurtured. My chosen purpose is to make people aware of the pure beauty and creativity of nature through more natural ways of living, without compromising modernity or staying current; and to help those who have this mission too by communicating their offering effectively — in beautiful ways.
Are you ready to share your essence?
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT / BRANDS IMAGINED
“Imagination is the cornerstone of the work I do. Without it, nothing new, visionary, can be realised. The sky is the limit.”
Creativity is a product of imagination - the magical place in space we go in our minds to grab “inspiration” (“in-spirit”) as it flows through and around us. We are the channels, conduits, that then make — through creative action and exploration — the imagined concept a physical reality. My personal symbol, Pegasus, with wings outstretched, embodies the concept of imagination, transformation (alchemy) and limitless creativity. He is guided by Polaris, the North Star, ensuring that every creation stays true to its pure intention. In ancient Egyptian mysticism, the “Ka” is the eternal Spark of life force in any living being - it’s Spirit; it’s Essence. This is what my work is all about: uncovering this Spark in either people or a brand, and voicing it through all communication. In short, my purpose is to inspire people to express the best version of their creativity.
CONSIDERED FROM THE START
A luxuriously creative process.
Most of my work incorporates hand-drawn illustrated or conceptualised exploration, using high quality materials and eco-art papers (like Fabriano and Arches) as much as possible, to create an authentic eco-friendly process; embedded with meaning from conception, to method, to result. The brand identity process involves generous research (visual + etymology), journalling, hand-drawn exploration, symbolism and a reliance on the balance between imagination and the physical.
WHAT IS BRANDING
01 /
Branding is a Journey. One into the discovery of self. Who do you need to become to express your dream venture?
02 /
Poetically speaking, branding is your story in motion. It is the personality of your brand. Visual, verbal, in expression, in action.
Your offering, vision and mission is communicated through your visual brand identity (logo, colour, typeface, style of imagery) and enfolds into the greater brand through the way you communicate, the language style used, and how you operate your business. Visual consistency in communication is key to create a solid brand, yet flexible enough to allow for extended offerings and growth over time. Your brand is a family of different elements based on specific ideals - yet looking uniform, woven together with the golden thread of your brand’s essence. When creating a brand, we pinpoint a basic overview of these guiding assets.
Branding gives clarity, purpose and direction to a project / business beyond selling products or services. It creates a strong, intentional presence that attracts the people who you can serve, and that serve you in return — where it’s most needed.
03/
Branding informs all manifestations of your project, as it acts as a guide to maintain consistent, concentrated focus on your values, ethos, message; the thing needed to materialise your goals.
A PERFCT FIT
Realise your visual brand goals by working with me in a one-on-one, personalised capacity.
-
+ look at your business and fall in love with your brand, as well as who you transform into because of it
+ align your vision with your visuals
+ view your business/project from multiple perspectives
+ express your projects with creativity in mind
+ communicate with clarity and thus, confidence
+ live your brand as an extension of you - not only running a business, but living and sharing your passion with others to change lives for the better
+ feel emotional resonance with your brand
+ feel empowered to naturaly express yourself
+ align your growth with your future vision
+ have effortless visual cohesion in your communication
+ have a direct and personal connection with your designer
-
More than a logo, your brand defines how you share your story with your audience. The collaboration is perfect for:
+ solo, small or medium businesses passionate about their offering, talents and skills
+ refined, premium, high-end projects or businesses
+ hospitality centred, travel or nature-destination projects or businesses
+ nature centred projects or businesses
+ wellness / well-being centred projects or businesses
+ natural / creative arts
+ start-ups or brand refreshing
+ special, bespoke once-off design projects
+ those who understand the value of branding and wish to share their offering with the world
ACHIEVEMENTS
-
1995 - 2000 / UNISA Grades 1 - 4 music theory & classic piano + 2005 / Trinity College Grades 1 - 2 music theory
2007 - 2010 / University of Pretoria, Information Design, Ba(IOW) Hons.
2016 / Yoga Alliance International 200 Level Transformational Yoga Teachers Training
2016 / Yoga Alliance International 200 Level Hatha Yoga Teachers Training
2021 / Kahuna Bodywork Level 1 Training
2021 / Domestika Sustainable Design
2021 / Domestika Sustainable Packaging
-
2021 / WPO WorldStar Student Awards & Loerie Awards (Lecturer of Student Winners, at Vega School of Branding)
2014 / Loerie Awards finalist, Nando’s Afro Luso (at Sunshinegun)
2013 / Cool Capital Bienale 2014 identity design published in VISI, Beeld, Mango magazine
2011 / Adobe Design Achievement Awards, Illustration, Semi-finalist
2011 / Adobe Design Achievement Awards, Print Communications, Semi-finalist
2011 / Adobe Design Achievement Awards, Animation, Semi-finalist
2010 / Overall Best Student in Design [IOW 400] Ba(IOW)
2010 / Overall Best Student in Illustration [IOW 400] Ba(IOW)
2010 / M-net Vuka! Awards, Newcomer Best Sound, Winner (Group Collaboration Project)
2010 / M-net Vuka! Awards, Newcomer Best Script, Winner (Group Collaboration Project)
2010 / M-net Vuka! Awards, Newcomer Best Editing, Winner (Group Collaboration Project)
2010 / M-net Vuka! Awards, Newcomer Best Animation, Winner (Group Collaboration Project)
2010 / M-net Vuka! Awards, Newcomer Best Overall, Winner (Group Collaboration Project)
2010 / Sappi Think Ahead Awards, Merit - Design Excellence
2010 / Sappi Think Ahead Awards, Merit - Design Excellence
2010 / Sappi Think Ahead Awards, Silver - Animation
2010 / Photography featured in One Small Seed web site and online magazine, Picture This
2010 / Winner of Bathroom Bizarre website design
2010 / Loerie Award finalist, Fear and Loathing Campaign
2010 / Illustrations published in A Look Away Magazine
2009 / Overall Best Student in Design [IOW 300] BA(IOW)
2009 / Overall Best Student in Illustration [ILL 301] BA(IOW)
2009 / Photography published in A Look Away Magazine
2008 / Overall Best Student in Design [IOW 200] BA(IOW)
2008 / Overall Best Student in Illustration [ILL 201] BA(IOW)
2008 / Nominated as Distinguished member of the International Society of Poets
2008 / Nominated Poet of the Year, Poetry.com (USA)
2007 - 2010 / Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
2007 / Nominated Poet of the Year, poetrty.com (USA)
2007 / Editor’s Choice Award, poetry.com (USA)
2007 / Featured in Best Poems & Poets 2007, poetry.com (USA)
2007 / Nominated as Distinguished member of the International Society of Poets
2007 / Overall Best Student in Illustration [ILL 101] BA(IOW)
TESTIMONIALS
-
William Holder / Founder / USA
“An unmatched branding partnership. Partnering with Karen to bring my new luxury travel brand to life was one of the best business decisions I made. From the very beginning, Karen immersed herself in my vision and delivered a brand identity that is nothing short of breathtaking. Refined, distinctive, and emotionally resonant; every element feels meticulously crafted to speak to the discerning, responsible traveler.
Karen’s strategic thinking was as brilliant as her creativity. She didn’t just design a brand; she built a world — one that captures the essence of luxury, wanderlust, sustainability, and unforgettable experiences. The logo, typography, color palette, tone of voice — every detail works in perfect harmony. The result is a brand that feels both timeless and fresh, aspirational yet grounded.
The collaboration was smooth, inspiring, and deeply thoughtful. Karen listens, challenges, and delivers beyond expectations. If you’re launching something special and want your brand to shine at the highest level — Studio KÁ is unequalled.”
-
Stacy Raphael / CEO + Travel Advisor / USA
“After several disappointing web designers, the universe sent me Karen. She instantly "got" me and what I am building for my business (which is unique in the luxury travel advising industry); she instinctively understood my values, mission, and vision. I was instantly drawn to Karen's outstanding eye: she is a photographer by training as well as a designer, and approached my website with intense originality in its aesthetic, flow, evocative mood, and copy. My business is about helping clients feel something very special when they travel on a journey I've designed, and that is reflected in how she created the website. Traveling through the website itself feels like a well-planned journey, and it evokes moods and feelings. Karen worked collaboratively with me, and was extremely flexible. Additionally, she’s punctual and delivers on deadline.
Everyone who has seen the site is actually astonished by its beauty. Here are some comments I've received: "Your website is just wow! I know how much work went into this, and the thought behind it shines through. The imagery is so vivid and well-coordinated." "Your website is absolutely stunning! It is really peaceful to look at and scroll through!" "Your website is stunning!! I love it so much. It's very modern, elegant, and luxurious." "Stacy your sight is incredible. Really love your story/about you!" "Website looks amazing!! Love the fun colors & vivid imagery!"
Overall, both the website itself and the experience of working with Karen are more than I could have dreamed of.”
-
Joris van Grieken / Business Manager
(Kuvings SA, The Fresh Press, Tipto, NutraGummy, A van de Groep / South Africa & Netherlands)
“I have had the pleasure of working with Karen on numerous projects since 2018, both in South Africa and the Netherlands, where she supported our businesses in a freelance capacity. Over the years, she has played a vital role in developing and evolving several of our consumer and business-to-business brands. Karen acted as a true brand custodian — overseeing everything from initial concept development to digital marketing, brand collateral, and the continuous evolution of our visual and strategic identity.
Most notably, when we launched a new functional gummy brand in Europe, Karen helped us shape the entire brand from the ground up. She crafted a strong and unique identity, including all the supporting visual and marketing materials needed to take the product to market successfully.
Karen is an absolute pleasure to work with. She brings a calm, collaborative energy, and despite her modest presence, she consistently delivers powerful ideas and beautifully executed concepts that have helped our brands stand out.
I highly recommend Karen and Studio KÁ to anyone looking for smart, thoughtful creativity paired with a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach. She is a rare combination of strategic thinker and creative talent.”
-
Sulet Jansen / Creative Director / South Africa
“Karen’s confidence in expressing her viewpoint on design is an asset for any creative team to have. Karen is skilled in Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop, is a great illustrator and has a flair for upmarket design solutions and typography. I would happily re-employ Karen Meyer as I consider her to be a valuable member of the team, who consistently achieved good results and delivers on all expectations.”
-
Vanessa Pearson, ECD, Brave Group
I had the great privilege of working with Karen in her capacity as Head of Design at House of Brave. She is a consummate, talented professional in everything she does. Her work is exquisitely considered and her thinking and design approach ranks amongst the best in the country. She will be an asset to any creative group or company and I would not hesitate to recommend her.
-
Driston Manickum / Graphic Design Student / Vega School of Branding
“Karen was an awesome mentor! She taught me the basics of design and made me feel more confident in my unique design style and capabilities. I am grateful to be have been her student - she was one of the best lecturers I've had.”
Crystal Hulett / Pro Surfer + Graphic Design Student / Vega School of Branding
“I had the absolute privilege of getting you to teach me and lecture me, it was such a gift and it set me on such an incredible creative path in my own life. What you build is incredible - I know your potential, it’s phenomenal. ”