welcome to visure branding + design

It has been such a long time since my last post I felt it only right to say hello again by sharing one of the most profound experiences of my life - conquering Mt Kilimanjaro. I made this video last year as part of a 40 minute presentation to a Westpac Business audience. I hope you enjoy it x Ps. Turn it up loud and have a little jig while you're at it:) African music hopefully gets you moving

I absolutely love the stunning flower form results of this collision of contemporary dance and fashion. Created by Fashion Film magicians Nick Knight of SHOWstudio and Tell No One, this fashion film was created for AnOther Magazine's SS11/12 issue. It is almost as beautiful as watching real blooms unravel and reach for the sun!

Over the last few months we've been busy creating the branding, print materials and web site for Starfire Jewellery by Shweta Agarwal. This weekend sees some of her stunning diamond creations being worn by the ballerinas of the Queensland Ballet at the Swan Lake Gala tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to frocking up and enjoying an evening at the ballet... it is sure to be a visual feast with

I am always looking for ways to be a better human being, spending valuable time reading lots of interesting books and trying to think of ways I can connect with those around me. Problem is, with so much to read/do/remember and so little time to do it all, I really do struggle sometimes. For this reason I have added these very cool dice onto my 'wish list' from santa (A better list than the one

This morning I came across a rather timely new website GiveEmThis which has had me both intrigued & feeling a little uncomfortable at the same time. The site promises to help me work out the perfect gifts for those closest to me with the simple click of a button. For anyone who's feeling time poor at the moment it does seem like the perfect solution doesn't it? With GiveEmThis, all you have to

I'm taking a little time to ponder on this rather warm friday afternoon - after all it is the 11/11/11 ! Generally life is brilliant. Though I have to admit the life/health/work balance is a little out... only emphasised by the persistent cold I've endured almost all week! So as I sit here on my very solid Aeron chair I see that there may be a very effectively designed alternative to merge the

I just saw this amazing mirror tree house on Treehugger and would so dearly love to be able to hide out in one! They are now available to make your own with TreeHotel handling the construction...   See the full story at Treehugger. What a beautiful way to be a part of nature... now I just need a good spot for one! Design by Tham & Videgard Architects. Photo by Peter Lundstrom, WDO.

Having just returned from a trip to the US, I was ecstatic to hear from Eba at Hanasho about the immense success of the fundraising exhibition I mentioned in my last post. An amazing total of $10,579 was raised through the sale of the donated artworks, drinks at the artists event and through cash donations.... Eba and the team behind the event are truly inspiring!!

I'd like to let you know about the fabulous Kizuna Exhibition appearing at Hanasho, West End for this week only. The exhibition has been organised by Eba - owner of Hanasho, to raise much needed funds for children effected by the horrendous earthquake in Japan earlier this year. 100% of the sales will go to Ashinaga. Ashinaga are constructing the Tohoku Rainbow House to provide emotional and

I shared an evening with a wonderful group of women at the launch of the new book Women on Top lastnight. A book about the life journeys of 13 successful business women revealing their biggest challenges and strategies to overcome them.  I'm very proud of my long term mentor and 'second mum' Kerry Azar, who features as one of the authors alongside Dr Lois Frankel. For more than 12 years, Kerry

I received my copy of Latte Magazine today and am so excited to have had my experience of Mt Kilimanjaro and fundraising for Kids Helpline profiled in a double page spread. My fundraising buddy, fellow designer and climber extraordinaire, Synthia and I are both looking for the next charity challenge... in fact Synth has signed up to cycle through Cambodia to raise money to help create better

I absolutely love the concept behind The Smoothie Cycle... repurposed bicycles and blenders put together to create an energy efficient and fun blending experience! My Strawberry, apple mint and ice smoothie was divine! Perhaps my pedalling effort made it taste even better as I'd had to work for my treat?

After hearing from its founders from international design firm IDEO at the recent ideas festival in Brisbane, I was inspired to join the community of change makers at openIDEO.  openIDEO is a a place where thinkers from all walks of life can contribute ideas and solutions, thoughts and reflections on a range of issues or challenges.  I'm looking forward to being a part of this great community and

Can you imagine what life would be like if you could no longer speak? I simply cannot comprehend it and yet film critic Roger Ebert handles his disability with grace and humour. Watching this really made me reflect on how fortunate I am to have the use of all of my senses.

Research shows that rewarding employees for tasks won't ensure great results... This interesting presentation challenges old thinking and shows how companies need to design new ways for their employees to excel. Can you see this way of thinking benefiting your business or venture?

This little girl isn't afraid to think differently and to get her message out to as many people as possible. Imagine what she'll be doing as an adult if she has the tenacity and courage to do this at the age of seven!

This brilliant business idea shows you just how you can create a sustainable business which not only is profitable, it also helps people eat healthy while providing opportunities for disadvantaged people with job opportunities... Wouldn't it be great to have this here in Australia?

I first came across TED at the Design in Daba 2005 conference in Cape Town when it's creator spoke about his website ted.com. The great thing about this site is that it is filled with amazing people who are creating, questioning and pushing the boundaries. A recently published talk by a Aimee Mullins is one I really wanted to share with you. She shows how she has embraced design to not only be

A few great examples of putting creative skills to good use... these artists and designers have put their hearts into raising money for Japan after the devastating earthquakes of recent times... http://www.helpjapannow.bigcartel.com/   Artwork by Pomme Chan http://designforjapan.tumblr.com/ Artwork by Rob Dobi

Have you ever considered how it would feel to be unable to smile? To not be able to express joy with the simplest facial expression? To essentially become an outcast in your community because of the way you look? Back when I was in Grade 3 my best friend had a cleft lip which she had been lucky enough to have operated on when she was little. Her scars were her main concern, but to me she was

During my time in Tanzania, I was privileged enough to spend a few days at the School of St Jude, Arusha. This is a school which has been created literally from the ground up by a very inspiring Australian woman called Gemma Sisia. Her mantra - Fighting poverty through education. Prior to our time at St Judes we saw many of the public schools in our travels through Moshi and smaller villages in

Wow, where do I start in trying to put into words the incredible experience we had on the mountain. I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly but what I experienced was so much harder emotionally, physically and mentally than I could ever have imagined. It was also the most incredibly rewarding and awe-inspiring thing I have ever done. As we flew into kilimanjaro and saw the summit of the

I am writing this as we await our departure from the Hotel Nakuru in a small village in Tanzania 3 hrs drive from the Kili starting point. To say I have butterflies is an under statement and after seeing the mountain on our flight into Kilimanjaro and just how HUGE it is, the whole team are feeling anxious, excited and so looking forward to starting our journey. The trip so far has been amazing.

You can also view the blog which will be updated by the team supporting us during our climb at: http://blog.inspiredadventures.com.au/

Well with less than two days to take off, it's been a busy time with my trip to Hawaii last week and some final preparations! The packing has begun and a final visit to the K2 tomorrow will see the last of the equipment purchases (its incredible how much gear we need for the extreme temperatures which may range from anywhere between 29degrees at the rainforest floor to -24degrees on summit day