Work Services How it works About Let’s talk

Brand · Design · Creative support

You’ve got a business to run.I’ll take care of the creative.

Brand development, design and creative support for busy businesses. Your marketing should make sense, and you shouldn’t have to become a marketing expert to get there.

Let’s talk See the work

The honest bit

You know your business. You just don’t have time to do all the marketing stuff too.

  1. 01Your logo doesn’t quite feel like you anymore.
  2. 02Your social media is on and off.
  3. 03Your marketing material looks like it came from five different businesses.
  4. 04You’ve got ideas, but no idea where to start.
  5. 05You know you need to look more professional.
  6. 06You just don’t have the time to figure it all out.

Sound familiar?

You don’t need another thing on your to-do list.

You need someone to take it off.

I bring brand, design and creative communication together under one direction, so your marketing feels like it comes from one place. Because it does.

See how I can help

What I do

Three ways I take it off your plate.

Brand

Build your brand

  • Brand development
  • Logo design
  • Visual identity
  • Brand direction
  • Brand guidelines

For businesses that need to look as good as the work they do.

Design

Make it make sense

  • Graphic design
  • Brochures and flyers
  • Books and publications
  • Presentations
  • Print and digital design

Good design isn’t decoration. It’s how you get understood.

Content

Keep it moving

  • Social media strategy
  • Content creation
  • Social media design
  • Content planning
  • Ongoing creative support

For businesses that need someone in their corner.

Ways to work together

Whatever stage you’re at.

Ongoing

Partner

You run the business, I keep the creative moving. Ongoing support, so it’s never sitting on your list.

Let’s partner up

Foundations

Build

Get the bigger picture sorted. Brand development and the larger creative groundwork.

Let’s build this

At heart, it’s about people.

I don’t think good creative work starts with a template. It starts with listening. Understanding what you’re trying to say, finding the story underneath it, and then working out how to make that story visible.

I think first. Then I create.

Why Kalben

Kalben means “at heart” in Turkish.

  • Care, before anything gets designed.
  • Listening, before assuming the answer.
  • Thinking things through, not just decorating.
  • A reason behind every choice.
  • Work done wholeheartedly.

It’s also a family name of sorts. Kal comes from my son Kaleb’s first name and Ben from his second, Benjamin.

24+

Years of creative experience

New chapter. Not new to this.

Brand, design, content and communication, from print floors to creative leadership.

  1. 2002–2004

    Sebenza Printers

  2. 2004–2005

    Print Specialists

  3. 2005–2010

    Aim Print

  4. 2010–2011

    Boxer Superstores

  5. 2011–2012

    Trellidor

  6. 2013–2015

    Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World

  7. 2015–2017

    Kalben Creative Studio

  8. 2017–2020

    Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome

  9. 2021–2026

    Project Exodus, Creative & Content Lead

Selected work

A few things I’ve made along the way.

“I highly recommend Sharlene for any design or creative work. She takes into consideration the client’s expectations together with her high standard, which is impeccable, as she has a keen eye for detail. … I endorse her professional services with great confidence in her ability.”
Neil Naidoo, NSN Engineering Designs

Like what you see?

Let’s talk about your project

How it works

No mystery. Just a good process.

  1. 01

    Discover

    First, we talk.

  2. 02

    Strategise

    We work out what you actually need.

  3. 03

    Design

    Ideas become concepts.

  4. 04

    Build

    We refine, develop and bring everything together.

  5. 05

    Launch

    You approve it, I get it ready, and it goes out into the world.

Sharlene, founder of Kalben Creative

About

Hi, I’m Sharlene.

Kalben Creative is the next chapter of a career I’ve spent more than 24 years building, across graphic design, brand identity, content, print, digital communication and creative leadership.

New chapter. Not new to this.

Along the way I’ve learned that good creative work doesn’t come from a template. It comes from listening properly, understanding what a business is really trying to say, and having the strategy and craft to say it well.

That’s what Kalben Creative is for. I take the brand, design and creative communication off your plate, and I do it wholeheartedly.

Sharlene

Is this you?

You might be a good fit if…

  • You’re good at what you do.
  • Your business is established or growing.
  • You know your brand and marketing matter.
  • You’re ready to invest in doing things properly.
  • You don’t have the time (or the inclination) to work out the creative side yourself.
  • You want someone who listens, thinks, and takes ownership.

If that sounds like you, we should talk.

So… what are we making?

You’ve built the business. Let’s make sure the brand, design and communication are pulling their weight.

Book a discovery call Tell me what you need

Prefer to talk? Call me on +27 00 000 0000.

Free download

Is your brand helping or holding you back?

The Brand Check is 12 quick questions that show where your brand stands, and what to fix first. It takes about 15 minutes.

You’ll get The Brand Check and my monthly email with branding tips and studio news. Unsubscribe any time. See the privacy policy.

Let’s talk

Tell me what you need.

A few lines is plenty. I’ll get back to you within two working days.

Email

hello@kalbencreative.co.za

Phone

+27 00 000 0000

Based in

South Africa, working with clients here and abroad

I’ll only use your details to reply to you. See the privacy policy.