Lauren, sometimes Curious Lauren, is an internationally award-winning integrated Creative Director – Art, Designer and Illustrator based in Joburg, South Africa.

In her 9-5, Lauren is a Creative Director at Joe Public London where she leads a team of talented and passionate creatives to produce innovative and impactful campaigns for various clients. She is also a Cannes Lions See It Be It alumna for 2023, a prestigious program that selects 16 women worldwide to accelerate their careers in the creative industry.

Lauren has a diverse and versatile skill set that includes creative direction, art direction, and brand building. She has won numerous awards for her work, including an Ad of the year, multiple golds, silvers, dirty golds (bronze’s) and a World Illustration Award, along with several Loeries. Her personal illustrative work has been featured in various publications and platforms, such as VISI, Glamour, Design Indaba, and The Design Kids. She is also ranked among the top designers and illustrators in Africa and the Middle East by the Loeries.

She is passionate about using her creativity for good, and has contributed to various social causes and initiatives that address women’s rights, poverty, and the #MeToo movement. She also mentors several female-led initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the creative field. Lauren has served as a jury member for One Show (NYC), Creative Circle, Loeries and The Drum Awards (UK).

On a personal level, Lauren is particularly interested in socio-economic problems and is in constant pursuit of ideas that can help change them.

Awards

One Show – Next Creative Leader Winner ’24

Cannes Lions – See it Be it winner ’23
Creative Female Leader accelerator program.
700 entrants globally, 16 finalists.


Loeries Africa & the Middle East
Silver in Film
Capfin – The Matriarch
October 2023

One Show
Shortlist
Capfin – The Matriarch

Loeries Africa & the Middle East
Bronze in Film (other screens)
Capfin – The Matriarch
October 2023

Creative Circle (SA)
1st place in Design
The Wallpaper for all
January 2023

Creative Circle (SA)
2nd place in Film
Capfin – The Matriarch
December 2022

Creative Circle (SA)
1st place in Print
The Wallpaper for all
June 2022

Creative Circle (SA)
3rd place in OOH
The Wallpaper for all
May 2022

Loeries Africa & the Middle East
Bronze for Ambient OOH – Wet Paint
October 2021

Loeries Africa & the Middle East
Bronze for General Design – Wet Paint
October 2021

World Illustration Awards (UK)
Highly commended award
October 2021

Pitcher Festival of Creativity (Africa)
Gold for Outdoor + Installation
Wet Paint
May 2021

Pitcher Festival of Creativity (Africa)
Silver for Covid-19 Impact
Wet Paint
May 2021

Pitcher Festival of Creativity (Africa)
Agency of the year
May 2021

Creative Circle (SA)
Ad of the Year OOH
Wet Paint
March 2021

Creative Circle (SA)
1st place Out Of Home
Wet Paint
February 2021

Creative X Africa
Gold Award for Creative Execution
Wet Paint
January 2021

Creative Circle (SA)
2nd Place PR & Media
Wet Paint
Feb 2021

Press & Judging

One Show – Cultural Driver Jury ’24

Bizcommunity Cannes Interview
Overcoming gender barriers
in the creative industry

International Jury Member
Drum Awards – Design (UK) 23’

Illustrated a Penguin published book ’22
Breasts – An owner’s guide

Loeries Jury 2021-2023
Loeries Middle East & Africa
Student Category ’21
Use of Technology ’22
Print Category ’23

Local Jury Member
Creative Circle jury 21’ 22’

Loeries Rankings Africa & The Middle East
#29th in Design
#11th in Illustration

Creative Funding ABinBev
Ideas for growth winner ’21

Bizcommunity
Innovative work & judging Loeries 2021

Visi Magazine
Illustrators we love – Curious Lauren

Glamour Magazine
Chats to Curious Lauren

Visi Magazine
Together Apart mural by Curious Lauren

Glamour MagazineYoung, creative & free

Visi Magazine
A social experiment in social distancing

Medium
Women don’t want to be afraid anymore

Okay Africa (US)Art installations encouraging social distance by Curious Lauren

Goop (US)
Does Exercise Impact Breast Cancer Treatment?

ENCA – TV
Watch from 12:17″Art installations encouraging social distance
December 2020

Expresso Show – TV
Top South African artists create a mischievous art installation
December 2020

SA FM – Radio
The Jet Set Breakfast
December 2020

Kaya FM – Radio
The Winners Circle
December 2020

Skills & Collaborators

Art Direction
Brand Building & Strategy
Branding & Identity Design
Brand & Performance Campaign
Concept + Ideas
Content Creation
Creative Direction
Illustration
Film & Video
Iconography
Packaging
Photography
Print & Collateral
Social Content
Textile Design
Type Design
Website & App Design

Collaborators

Stella Artois
Yoppie
Stayfree
Goop
Penguin Random House
DK Publishing
Absolut
Pernod Ricard
Paytec
Sonos
Cultural Care
Glitter Ball
Cannsun
House & Leisure