S2:EP5 Illustrated Realities: Navigating Dual Heritage and Black Womanhood through Afrofuturistic Digital Portraiture with Aislinn F

S2:EP6 Soulful Selections: Building Community Across Borders, Designing with Purpose, and Staying Creatively Grounded with Raphael

In this episode, we sit down with Pierce aka Raphael, a London-based multidisciplinary designer, illustrator, DJ, and music producer whose work bridges impactful design and soulful soundscapes. With over 8 years of experience across agencies and in-house teams, Pierce shares what it means to tell stories through design, illustration, animation, and print, while also building a global music community with over 33 million streams and 120K+ followers. We unpack the meaning of socially-driven design, the challenges of freelancing in a saturated industry, and how DJing has shaped his creative process across disciplines. From his Barbican exhibition to international gigs in NYC and Venice, Pierce reflects on the lessons learned from marathon training, creative burnout, and shifting into full-time music production. Expect real talk on creative discipline, impostor syndrome, and the rituals that help him stay grounded. Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency]⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency]⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Substack⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Learn more about Pierce aka Raphael:⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raphaelsworld_/?hl=en] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/raphaelsworld_/?hl=en] ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raphaelsworld_/?hl=en]⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/]Substack⁠ [https://raphaelsworld.substack.com/] ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@RAPHAEL_MIXES/featured]⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@createdbypierce] TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@createdbypierce] Word logo artwork@‌annafastova@‌nfastova_visuals

S2:EP5 Illustrated Realities: Navigating Dual Heritage and Black Womanhood through Afrofuturistic Digital Portraiture with Aislinn F

In this episode of Creative Frequency, I'm joined by Zambian-Northern Irish illustrator, designer, and artist Aislinn F, whose work boldly reclaims space for complex identities through the lens of Afrofuturism. Through intricate illustrations, Aislinn creates visual vessels that explore the layered intersections of race, gender, culture, and belonging. She opens up about her personal journey, growing up between cultures, the impact of displacement, and how these experiences shaped her creative voice. We discuss the power of illustration as resistance, the responsibility of representation, and the role of Afrofuturism in imagining expansive futures for Black women. Aislinn also shares insights into her recent award as Emerging Digital Artist of 2024 and her upcoming collaboration with St Albans Museum to spotlight Black historical narratives. Whether you're an artist, a storyteller, or someone navigating your own multifaceted identity, this conversation is a reminder of how art can hold space for truth, healing, and unapologetic visibility. Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] YouTube⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Substack⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] ⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Learn more about Aislinn F: ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/]Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/aislinn.art]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/] ⁠⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] Website⁠ [http://www.aislinn-f.com/]⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] Word logo artwork @‌annafastova @‌nfastova_visuals

S2:EP.4 Living Textiles: Reimagining Wearable Art through Regenerative Fashion, Circular Design & Material Innovation with Helena Elston

In this episode of Creative Frequency, we’re joined by NYC-based regenerative textile designer, creative director, and mycologist Helena Elston, whose work is redefining the future of fashion through circular design, material innovation, and ecological thinking. Helena shares her journey, from studying at the Royal College of Art to building a practice that transforms deadstock and waste textiles into wearable pieces infused with life, including living systems like mycelium. We explore the spiritual and scientific dimensions of working with fungi, the challenges of confronting fast fashion’s disposability, and the patience required to honour regenerative cycles in a world addicted to speed. From her internationally exhibited collections to collaborations with conscious brands, Helena offers a powerful vision of fashion that not only sustains but restores. Whether you’re a designer, environmentalist, or curious creator, this conversation invites you to rethink what fashion can be and what it should return to. Mentioned: Generated by AI Mycelium has the potential to be antibacterial, but the extent and spectrum of this activity vary based on species and conditions. Various studies have shown that certain types of mycelium can produce compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] YouTube⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter, Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Substack⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Learn more about Helena Elston: ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/]Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/helenaelston_studio/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/] ⁠⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] Website⁠ [https://www.helenaelston.com/]⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] Word logo artwork @‌annafastova @‌nfastova_visuals

S2:EP.3 (Part 2) Creative Uprising: Amplifying Impact and Driving Environmental Justice through Public Art, Community & Purpose with Love Ssega

In this episode, I continue the conversation with London-born musician, producer, and performing artist Love Ssega, where we discuss the role of art in activism, mental health, and artistic influences and inspirations. Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Substack⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Learn more about Love Ssega: https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/]⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovessega/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] ⁠ [https://lovessega.com/] Website⁠⁠⁠ [https://lovessega.com/] Word logo artwork @‌annafastova @‌nfastova_visuals

S2:EP.3 (Part 1) Creative Uprising: Amplifying Impact and Driving Environmental Justice through Public Art, Community & Purpose with Love Ssega

In this episode, musician, producer, and climate justice advocate Love Ssega discusses how his work blends music, public art, and activism to inspire change. From founding the LIVE + BREATHE clean air movement in South London to collaborating with major cultural institutions, Ssega shares how creativity can serve as both a tool for resistance and a vision for a more equitable future. We explore how creativity can be used to create meaningful change within local communities, the responsibility of tech companies in supporting independent artists, and the ethical considerations that arise when collaborating with art institutions. Stay tuned for part 2! Follow Creative Frequency on other platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@creativefrequencypodcast?lang=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thisiscreativefrequency/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] YouTube⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeFrequency] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Creative Capsules: ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Substack⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] ⁠ [https://substack.com/@creativefrequency] Learn more about Love Ssega: ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/donna__poderosa/]Instagram⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovessega/] ⁠⁠ [https://donnapoderosa.com/] Website⁠⁠ [https://lovessega.com/] Word logo artwork @‌annafastova @‌nfastova_visuals