Type C Energy and Design With Soul with Sunni of Sunni Aesthetics.

Hey, friends. Welcome, and welcome back to nosey af. I'm your host and friend, Stephanie Graham. It is August. That means it's Black Business Month.And I have been doing a series called 31 Days of Black Business, where every single day this month, I'm handing you someone who is wise, wonderful, beautiful, and quite frankly, open for business.

So today, I want to share a startling fact.

So only about 4% of designers in the US are black. Today's guest, Sunni, named her podcast after that number, and she told me it's actually gone down since.So Sunni runs Sunni Aesthetics, a creative studio doing branding, creative direction, web design, visual storytelling for small business owners, and she even came up through film production before teaching herself the rest.

So I am so happy to share Sunni's story with you and to have you get to know her, you know, especially because she came through film. She's a podcaster. Like, are we the same person?

No, because Sunni can design and do graphics and all those lovely things, and I simply cannot. So anyway, this is all about Sunni. So let's play our theme music and then get to know Sunni, which just.

Saying her name makes me feel so bright.

Gotta get up, get up tell the whole world you a winner, winner vision of a star with a mission in the cause what you doing, how you doing? What you doing and who you are?Flex yourself and press yourself Check yourself, don't wreck yourself if you know me then you know that I be knowing what's up. Hey, Stephanie.

Graham is nosy as Sunni. Welcome to nosey af. Hello.

Happy to be here.

Yes, me too. Let's get right into it. So you started in film production before moving into design and creative direction.What's, like, the story of how you first understood yourself as a visual storyteller?

Ooh, I love this question. For, like, even, like, when I was a kid, I loved art class. That was my favorite class in biology, too. I like animals. So those.Yeah, I grew up in Florida, but I just knew from a young age that I was going to be creative. My siblings were very creative, too. We didn't grow up watching TV on the weekdays.Our parents were very strict, so we just had to do homework and actually use our imagination. So we created games. We created, like, radio shows and stuff. So during my childhood, I actually used my mind to create what I wanted to do.Then I moved to Atlanta years later, and then the film production business was, like, moving. And I was in Georgia State at the time in downtown Atlanta.So when I was, like, walking on my way to class, I would always See people, like shooting and see like, productions and stuff. And my friend, she started doing extra work. So she kind of got me onto it. And then like, I ran into some other people that I know.Cause Atlanta is small. Too small if you ask me. But I saw how it was on set and I loved it.I love how other people come together and they network and it was just like a great opportunity and to actually see, like, other stars and like celebrities and actually see them and be like, oh, like, they're like me. You know, they just have. I don't know. I guess they just know the right people and stuff.

Yeah.

So it's just like. I loved it. And I got into like art department, set decoration for some shows and films. Then I got into design and I went to school for it for a bit.And then I ended up flunking.

Okay.

During COVID so actually.

Oh, no.

Yeah, it was like months. A couple months before COVID So during that time during quarantine, I was like drawing and painting again. And I'm like, you know what?Like, I'm gonna do this again. Like, I design. So from like what I knew from my class, I like taught myself the rest. And six years later, here I am.

So you're like half studied, half self taught.

Yes.

Yeah. No, that's cool. I know. I feel like so much of like all this stuff just ends up being like our own research and study anyways.Even if we were in the classroom, like, there's just so much to learn and take in.

Yeah. Especially with film. People don't understand. There's so much to it. Like, there's a reason why people love Get Out.And like, the little messages in that movie is like, it's just like amazing. Like, just. I could go into it, but I don't know.

Yeah. What is your. What is your favorite movie? And you just mentioned get out, so it just made me curious. Like, what is your favorite?

Oh, my favorite movie? That's hard. I don't have it.

Okay.

Yeah, me, I. I really like indies.

Yeah.

I feel like nowadays people want to do remakes and it's just not the same. So I really like indie films. A24, I really like.

Oh my gosh. Yeah.

But they moved on to AI, so I don't know about that. I heard someone's making an A25, which is hilarious.

Oh, really? I. Yeah, I love that. 25. A. What is that with the AI? Like, boo, come on.

No, I'm so sad. And yeah, like, talking about AI, it's just. It's A conundrum. Because it's like, yes, I see the pros, and then I see the cons. So it's just.I don't know.

Yeah. The Instagram artwork of all these folks that are like. That's just like, AI artwork all of a sudden, it's just. It's just going way too far.It's like, I don't want to. Yeah. I don't want to judge them because I think. I guess I get where they're coming from if it's, you know, just them.And they might not have that ability or that network, but I don't know, it's just. It's like going overboard. Like, you, like, totally see, it's AI. It's not like a subtle thing or whatever. It's just like, either AI or not AI.

Exactly. Even for some of my stuff, I use AI, but it's very subtle.

Yeah.

And it's just. It's like a good resource. I use AI more as that, not as, like, everything.You know, some people just use it because they don't know how to do things anymore, or they rely on it too much.

Yeah.

Your brain is a muscle. So when you're not working out your muscles, that's what happens.

Yeah. You'll get mushy.

Yes. Smooth brain, as I say online.

Yes. For real. So Sunni Aesthetics. Your company is described as bold and intentional and soul aligned.When you first named it or shaped it, what were you trying to connect or respond to in the creative space?

I was trying to respond to me. I'm a spiritual person.I'm really into the metaphysics and stuff, so I kind of wanted to mix that and my creative style together to showcase who I am, and I want people to feel comfortable. And when you go to the beach, you know. Well, not everybody likes the beach.But as an example, you know, you go to the beach, you relax, you chill, you know, you're under the shadows of the plants, and you're just living life. And that's kind of how I have Sunni Aesthetics. Kind of like that. Like, that chill vibe.

Yeah.

You can come to me and be like, hey, like, visually, this is who I am. I don't know how to express it. You know, that's how I come into play, to help other people.

Yeah. I can't believe people don't like the beach. It just doesn't even make sense to me. Oh, my gosh.

You have people out there that don't like pizza, you know?

Yeah. No, it's real.

It's a thing.

So with your business you talk about storytelling across branding, ui, ux, social and video. Where do you draw the line between storytelling as a marketing strategy and storytelling as something that's just like more human or communal?

That's a good question. I don't really draw the line per se because you can't do that as a human, you know, feel things. But I think it's important to show your emotions.That's one thing AI can't do emotions. And that's what makes us human.And I just feel like being relatable, especially with like everything going on nowadays is like we need that community to come back together to create seats at the table.

Yeah. Who, who gets to hire you? Like who can come to Sunni Esthetics?

I would say like small business owners can come to me if they need help with visual things or like social media, graphics, content, product photography and design. And that's creative direction. It's literally like everything together.

Yeah, yeah. You're like a one stop shop for folks instead of using AI to come to you basically. Yeah. And like what is that process?Like when someone like they might, they fill out like a contact form or like what is the process in working with you?

Oh yeah, for sure.So I have a design catalog and I send it to people who are like interested in working with me and then from there they can book a consultation or they can go on my website and use the contact form too as well. Yes. So that's what you can do.

Yeah. What are your some of your favorite design projects?

Ew. I have so many. I love music. I always have music playing in the background. It's such a big inspiration to me.One client I worked with, he's a musician so I did some cover art for him. It was really fun.

Oh yeah, that is fun.

That's my dream. If I can just go on tour with an artist that I love and just design for them and stuff would be really fun. I love watching music videos.I feel like a lot of people, a lot of artists, they have a lot of their songs kind of like intertwined into one another so they can create like a short film out of it. I love artists like that. Like I know the Weeknd did that with one of his albums. So it was kind of like a continuous story, which was really cool.

Yeah.

When they make it like a full body of work versus just these like individual projects. Yeah, I wish did that. Yeah, me too. I think it is a smart thing to do instead of like, you know, just these one offs.There is a artist here in Chicago. Well he's probably known a lot of the places, but Fillmore Green restaurants. So I'm like, that's sort of like a subtle thing.Like, you just always see him, like, eating something or, like, rapping, like, while a friend is eating. And I just sort of. Yeah, I love.So I felt like, you know, even if it's not like, in the song, there's like a thread visually, you know, which I thought was really cool.

Right. He must have a really good art director because maybe it's like, different restaurants. Different, like. Like themes would be really cool too.

Yeah, it's really good. Like, yeah, I really like it. And he's like. He'll, like, hold, like, a tray of food, like, while rapping.

So.

Yeah. Right. So your podcast, the 4% amplified podcast, right? That's the name of it. Yes.It centers bipoc designers and the reality of the 4% of designers in the US are black. What changed in you once you started consistently hearing and holding those stories?

It motivated me. It was very inspiring to hear so many of my guest speakers explain their story and how they got in.And from there, even, like, collaborating with some of them too. It led to a lot of. A lot of other pipelines, a lot of other things to me. So it was really exciting to do.And it was audio only, so it was a lot easier as well.

Yeah.

Getting into the video production world, I'm just like, wow. It was so.

Yeah.

But, you know, it's worth it. It's worth it. Working from film to this. Yeah.

Yeah. People would think. I'm curious, actually, really quick, just your opinion about it. Because people would think, like, oh, well, you work in film.You worked in art departments. Like, why it doesn't seem like it should be so hard to you.

Oh, it's a lot.

Yeah.

Yeah. Cause, like, people don't understand when you're on set, you're there for 14 hours a day and they're only filming, like, three scenes.They're just doing different angles, and then they're doing different rehearsals, and then they might not even, like, use that scene. It's just so much to it. So actually, like, being on set and seeing, like, how they do everything, it's like, I have that little perfectionist gene.I'm like, okay, it has to be this way, that way. The lighting, the sound quality. That's why I have to rerecord again.

So, yeah. And it's like. And it's all you. It's not like, you know, like 30 people.

Exactly. I mean, I have some help. My Boyfriend, you know, he'll help me.

Oh, that's nice.

Just a one woman show. Risha helps me too.

So yeah, shout out to Richa the for sure. I love Risha.

Thank you.

I love you.

Yes. Risha is a podcast producer and editor that Sunni and I have both worked with.But thinking back to your podcast, what kind of stories do you feel are still undertold in design spaces?

I think hearing more of the stories of more black creatives especially. I actually had an interview with a guest speaker for season two and he just told me the percentage actually went down. So it's not 4% anymore.It's like 8, 6.So it's really sad because a lot of people are kind of just pushing away towards design because of AI and then it's like, oh, I'm not making enough money and it's just very competitive. But if it's something that you really love and if it's your passion, you shouldn't give up. You should just keep going.

Yeah.

And find something else. You know, like I used to work a full time job and freelance.I would come home, be like tired, but still like trying to push forward to do what I have to do.

Yeah, same here. You know, still doing that. You know, we'll like work and then come back and like edit and like be in my studio. Like it's always something.So when you're building platforms like Sunni Aesthetics and your podcast, there's both creative work and then visibility work. How do you think about the emotional labor of being visible while also serving others visibility?

Oh my goodness.

Yeah.

I'm trying not to burn out from that because it is a lot. But when I give to myself, it's like I'm giving to others too. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's hard to balance everything.

Yeah.

But I think just taking my time with it and not like rushing and like at least telling people like, hey, like this is coming or you know, at least just communicating that I feel like is important and people understand, you know, like I'm human, I'm not AI.

So yeah. Yeah.

In design we're more doing like the problem solving. And there were like experiences and clients that I had in the past where they were really like pressing me for getting things turned in on time.But it's like when you change things last minute, it's like, how do you really expect someone to, to do everything all in the deadline, especially if they're the only creative person and that when there's no support, like, that's not right.

So, yeah. So, like, just give us a break. Give you a break?

Yes, please. Or hire more help.

Yeah, yeah, definitely. So when you work across all these different spaces, how do you decide which projects are aligned and that.Which projects are aligned enough for you to say yes to?

That's a good question.I feel like really just talking with that other person, just seeing how we can get along and I guess just seeing, like, what we have in common too, as well. It's really important, so. And that's how I got one of my clients.We just vibed on spirituality and just talked about everything going on and astrology and everything. So, yeah, just being myself sometimes.

Yeah. Have you ever taken a project that.

Looked good on paper but didn't feel.

Right creatively, like, after. Yeah, any.

Yes, but it's a learning lesson. And now I know, like. Like, you know about, like, people who are type A, type B, type C, type A people.It's like, yes, I understand you have to get things done and you're a perfectionist, but geez, like, there's just very, very corporate. Like, I. Yeah, I can't. Like, I'm more of a type C person.

Like, I was gonna say type C. Okay. Laid back.

Yeah. Cause, like, type B is, like, where you're super laid back. You're too laid back. It's like, okay, I'm taking a nap at, like, noon to, like, 5.I'm not gonna do anything.

Like.

No.

Yeah.

The type C is, like, a mix of both. It's like, you're analytical and you're like. You're more emotional and stuff. So I would say I'm type C. Okay.

Hmm. I'm gonna look into that. I love a personality test. I'm gonna check that out.Because I could see, like, I think I've definitely had the type A bosses and that maybe it makes me wonder if I'm a type C person, because they'll, like, come in freaking out, and I'm just like, okay, well, step one, step two, step three, you know, Like, I'm not freaking out along with them. So I don't know. But I've never heard type C until just now when you said it.

So, yeah, apparently it's her type D. I don't know. Oh, I don't know about that.

Wow. Yeah. Okay.

But a lot of my friends are. They're type B. And it's funny, like, the memes about it.They're like, oh, I'm sorry, I'm late, you know, Or I'll be there at, like, 4, and I'll be there at, like, 7, so.

Oh, my gosh. Friends, I feel is like a whole other world.There's a Reddit thread that I love reading about friend stories, and just before we got on to record, I had bookmarked one that about a friend always being late. Yeah. A person was complaining about a friend that's always late.

Yeah. You gotta lie to that friend and be like, yeah, it's like, at this time. And then. Yeah, real time. So.

Yep. Just adjust for them. So with your work, I know, like, intentionality is, like, a big thing. Not just the visuals, but the whole meaning.What do you think people misunderstand about good design?

Mm. That's a complex one.

Yeah.

I feel like with good design, it could kind of be like a painting sometimes.Like, you know, when some people are looking at a painting for a really long time because they may see something that you don't see, it's kind of like that with design. And then sometimes I'm like, oh, I need to take a break. Cause I'm looking at this way too long, and it's almost the same. So.

I think design is so cool.Like, I am always so impressed by designers, especially, you know, like, designers that work in branding, like, with businesses and, like, making their whole identities. There's a designer here. There's like a. A bookshop called Halftime Books.And the way the designer did that, their, like, logo was just like a clock, but, like, they, like, made it in half. Like, it was just so simple. But, like, I like, oh, yeah. Like, this makes total sense. It's so easy. But, you know, it's like, this is why you.Somebody might have overlooked that and tried to, like, make something totally elaborate. But it was just such a simple brand that totally went along with the aesthetic of the bookstore.You know, it had, like, a Type C bookstore, just so chill, you know, but had, like, everything there. But I just loved. I just love designers so much because they just, you know, can take the most simplest thing and really give it a lot of meaning. So.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.We try to, you know, be creative, but I feel like nowadays with a lot of brands, they're very corporatized, so it's like they don't have that characteristic anymore or that flaw. Like Johnson and Johnson. I think they changed.

Yeah.

So it was just really bland, like.

Yeah, like, why'd you do that? How often do you think someone should rebrand themselves? Like, you always hear people, or maybe it's just me. People like, I'm gonna rebrand.I gotta rebrand. And it's like, how often should folks look at that, in your opinion?

Ooh. You know, I never really thought about that, because some brands are just very iconic.Like, yeah, I know they went through a rebrand, like, 20, 30 years ago, and it's really cool to, like, see how it was back in the day, like, how they started the arches and stuff.

Yeah.

But I think you can rebrand. It's just if you're doing, like, the littlest things to it. Like, if you're just trying to make it more modern, I feel like it's okay.Just not the whole icon or brand, in my opinion.

Yeah.

Like, I think it's cool to add, like, a little. A little, like, difference to it, if that makes sense, to make it, like, pop out. But I don't think someone should necessarily redo their whole brand.I think there's just, like, one part of it that they can probably just redo and make it into something new.

Yeah. How often should folks think about it, though? Like, you think, like, is it every six months? Are they.If they're tired of looking at it, every five years, 10 years?

I would say maybe 10 years, for sure. Because a lot can change in 10 years.

Yeah.

What can change in two years?

Right.

For me, I rebranded because when I first designed, I wasn't the best.

Okay.

But I rebranded about three times until I stuck with the one that I have now. Cause I feel like that's, like, the most. Like me before, it was just more like, tropical, like, sunny aesthetics, you know, like vacation.But now it's more about, like, spirituality. It's, like, mixed with that.So even with my logo, it has my initials, sunny aesthetics essay, and then it has the moon and the sun together, which forms.

Yeah, yeah. So in that sense, it's like it's sort of just growing with you as a person.

Yeah. Because the sun has a lot of different meanings, and the moon is, like, more about, like, emotions and intuition.So put the sun identity together with that, and there you have sunny aesthetics,.

And boom, there we are. What does sustainable creative practice look like for you right now? Not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually.

So I would say that practicing is very, very, very important. Practice. Practice. I feel like I sound like a mom or a teacher, but I know how it is to stay up with the trends and, you know, to.To keep up with everything. But it's. I don't really feel like it's like, oh, I have to do this because someone else is doing it.It's like, I want to do something because I feel like, it's. Yeah, because I want. Because I have that emotion. And what I would do is like, I would channel, like, my emotions.Like, if I'm angry, I would do a lot of my art and stuff. So I would do that and then it would be a great design sometimes out of that. So I feel like channeling is really important.

And.

Meeting with other designers too as well is important. Like collaborating, learning from them and seeing how they do things too, as well.

Yeah. I was gonna ask if you've had a mentor or like, are you a part of any associations? Like, what does that community look like for you?

Sure. My podcast was one.

Yeah.

I had a few mentors in the past. I've learned a lot from them. But my niece, she's actually trying to get into design, so kind of taking her under my wing.

I love that.

But before in the past, I worked with Agia. I had one of my mentors from there. So it was really nice to learn from her and just so many other people that I've. I've met from there as well. So.

Yeah. For folks who are, like, considering a career in design, what would you give?What kind of advice would you give them if they're like, maybe I want to check out design? What would be their first step to you?

For sure. Watch a YouTube course on it. You know, do some research, see if it's really for you. I would say don't. Don't go to college for it yet.Really just look into it because you can teach yourself or you could take a boot camp. You don't have to waste all this money to go to school to. To do something like this, so it's.

Okay. That's really good advice. Yeah. It's crazy how YouTube is like YouTube University. It is so wild. It is so wild.

Yes. That in TikTok. TikTok University. I've learned so much from Tick Tock too as well.

Okay, I need to get into Tick Tock. I feel like for some reason when I go on there, it's always like true crime.It's like always true crime stuff being shown to me and I'm like, what is this sad?Yeah, maybe I'll like, yeah, maybe I will put like design tips or something and it'll like, start to just change because I'm like, where is this coming from?

It's kind of like AI, like when you use it. Like, I know when I use AI and it'll do something wrong. I'm like, no, this is incorrect. Can you do it this way? Some people don't do that.So I feel like if you tell the algorithm, hey, I don't want this, I want this. It'll know if you tell it to, which is interesting.

Yeah, okay. That's really good advice. Okay, fine. TikTok University, here I come.Is there anything that you're, like, actively unlearning about creative careers that you feel are supposed to work?

Oh, yes.So in film, I guess my dream 10 years ago was to be a director and to work on set, but now that, you know, I've worked for years in there and it just made me super tired because, you know, working 60 hour days, it's tiring. And before, I loved it so much, I wouldn't care.I would just neglect myself and just keep going and be like, I'll do what I have to do to move myself up in this industry. And to do that, it's like you have to work yourself to death and know the right people. And I. Yeah, I wouldn't do that again. I mean, I would.I would work on set, but that mind frame and thinking, like, hey, like, if I just keep working like this, you know, I'll do this. I'll be part of leadership. I'll be an art director. And no, like, they were there too.And these people have families and they have kids, and you have to miss certain things because of work, because you're shooting the show, you know, like, it's just. I didn't really see that. I didn't really feel like it was, like, worth it for me. I felt like time was more important to me.Cause that's something I'll never get back. You could always have money, but time is something you can never get. So.

Yeah, that's real.

Yeah. It's like an ex boyfriend. I do miss film. I do.

Yeah. Aw.

I can't go back. I can't.

Right. It's like, oh, my God. We would work out, but I just can't do it. Oh, my gosh.Where do you want Sunni aesthetics and the 4% amplified show to be in the next few years? If everything feels aligned, I definitely want.

To tour the world.

Yeah.

Meet other creatives out there in the world. One of my guest speakers coming up, she's from the uk, so we're spreading. And I had some other people from Germany as well.So I definitely want to have that global audience. So I definitely want to, like, go out more and do, like, more public speaking and just tell my story, get over the nerves of that.And I feel like my podcast is helping me a lot with that too, as well. So, yeah, Travel and co live. I just knew again, as a kid that I wanted to live in another place and stuff.And I studied all these other languages in school, so.

Oh, really?

Wow.

Yeah. World tour. I love that. So how can you know the community folks support you in your work right now?

Just Listen to the 4% amplified. Just listen. Or just send it to a friend or check out my website. You could watch it on YouTube as well. So there's that.

Yeah. And then if folks are interested in design services, are your consultations free or is there a fee with them?

They're free.

Oh, okay.

That's so nice.

Yes.

Thank you for doing that. Yeah, of course. Do you find that with your. With the podcast and you're building your network, that's like a community within itself?Do you guys, like, trade jobs and refer each other to jobs?

Definitely.What I want to do is start a directory so everyone that I known or I like, work with, it's like I can start a web and be like, oh, this person needs this and this person needs that, and then just connect them that way. So, yeah, I like to think of myself as the bridge spirit.

Yes.

I like to connect other people together.

Yeah. No, I don't think it's cheesy. There needs to be connectors like that. I think that.That so generous too, to be able to say like, hey, do you know this person? You know, or, hey, I won't be able to service, you know, the needs you might have, but you should talk to this person.I think they might be a better fit for what you got going on. I think that, yeah, people respect you for that, you know, and it only makes them wanna, you know, ride with your business as well.

For sure. Yeah.

Yeah.

Cause I've been there too. It's like I'm trying to find someone and it's like, hey, we may not be a good fit, but I know someone else who may be a good fit for you.

So, yeah. Cool.

Well, thank you so much.

Is there anything else that you want to share before we call our conversation complete?

Is there anything. I don't want to make it political, so. No, but.

No, you can make it if you want to.

Okay. Yeah. So I feel like we should vote. We need to vote during the midterms. That's something we need to do in November. Please vote, vote, vote, vote.It's so important. Listen to my podcast, 4% amplified. I talk about current events too, as well and how it goes with design. So check it out.

Yes. I love it. Sunni thank you so much for being on nosey af.

You're welcome. I'm so glad it's nosy with you.

Yes, for sure.

That concludes another episode of nosy AF31 Days of Black Business. I'm your host and friend Stephanie Graham. I hope you took something away from.

Today's conversation and had a good time hanging with us.

Be sure to check out the show notes to learn more about today's guest and consider supporting their work. You know how it goes, whether you're making a purchase, hiring them, or simply spreading the word. Listen, who doesn't love a referral?It truly all makes a difference.Quick thank yous go out to Queen Lex and Freddie Bam Bam for the nosy AF theme music and Emma McGoldrick, who hooked me up with the COVID art and branding. Shout out to the partners and supporters for this series. You could check them out in the show notes as well. Super grateful for a partner. Hello.That's the show friends. Until tomorrow. Stay curious and take care. Bye.