Tranquilo Creative

03/11/2025

I’ve been feeling stuck on here for a long time now - but then you’ve probably already realised that from my recent posts - or the lack of them!

So, after a long deliberation, I’ve decided to make some changes on here. You see, I’m tired. Tired of trying to keep up with all of the changes and of jumping through the hoops we’re expected to jump through, in order to grow our following organically. With that in mind, I’ve decided to change the very nature of this account, which will start to focus more on my design work.

If however, you’re here for more of my love of nature, lifestyle, food, travel, writing, history - and most of all telling stories to connect you to the people and places of your past - then I’d love you to join me over on my other account .beaton

What with the full moon on the 5th of this month, the time definitely feels right to release something . . .

📷

20/10/2025

01/10/2025

I don’t know about you, but I don’t know where September went?! It was a sad start for me, with the funeral of a much loved friend, however, it ended on a much higher note . . .

I’ve just come back from the most fabulous Girls’ Weekend, organised by Deborah , brought a group of nine inspirational women together.

We gathered in one of the cottages for a platter and a natter (and a glass of fizz!) on Friday evening to get to know each other. Then headed off to the HotBox Wild Wellness Spa .

On Saturday, we headed up to the stunning Acharn Falls. On the way up, we spotted the wee Rob Roy Pitstop at Kenmore Bakery, and knew we just had to stop on the way back for a cuppa and a delicious scone! The weather broke in the afternoon, so we hunkered down in one of the cottages. In the evening, we headed out to The Waterfront Restaurant at the Kenmore Club for dinner. I had the most fabulous scallops for a starter and venison for my main. Then we headed back to cottage HQ where we enjoyed a glass of wine, chatted, shared book recommendations, laughed lots, listened to music and sang well into the wee small hours.

We packed up on Sunday morning, heading to the Queen’s View at Loch Tummel. From there we headed up to Killiecrankie , where five brave souls (!!) took part in the ultimate adventure - nine zip wires across the River Garry in the stunning Killiecrankie gorge. We zipped from tree to tree and across the river at heights of up to 30m. The final line was 100m long, and had stunning views over the gorge and river. I might have been a wee bit terrified at the start, but I wanted to do it all over again as soon as I’d finished!

After lunch , we said our final farewells - sad that the weekend was over.
Before the trip, I only knew Deborah, but I can safely say that left with seven fabulous new friends.

Oh, and the next Girls’ Weekend is already in the planning . . .

11/09/2025

And, just like that, I’m back at my desk . . .

My slow Summer, spent in north east of Scotland, seems to have passed by in a flash. Oh the irony! As with the change of season, the slowness of Summer has been replaced by the abundance of Autumn, and I find myself once again busy with some exciting new projects over the coming months.

Anyway, I thought I would ease myself gently back into my Instagram game with the “unfortunately I do love” trend - I don’t usually follow these sort of things, but I genuinely love this one!

Being a designer isn’t just a job - it’s a lifestyle. You live, eat and dream about design - from the time you open your eyes until you go back to bed again. Each and every thing you come into contact with during your day, from your breakfast cereal to your toothpaste to that Netflix series you’re currently binging - have all been created by designer or design team, somewhere in the world.

No two designers are the same - wouldn’t the world be soooo boring if we were? We each have our own particular way of working, design rituals and guilty pleasures that make our design process our very own.

So, I’m curious, tell me what would be on your “unfortunately I do love list?

Kay xx

01/08/2025

Choosing the right colours can totally transform your brand . . .

I love to gather inspiration from a varied range of sources, and what better place to start than by looking to nature? 🌿🪻🎨

Swipe left to see the soft, muted colour palette which was inspired by a field of lavender that I encountered when we stayed at a couple of years ago.

28/07/2025

And, I’m back in the (Aberdeen)Shire . . . well, for the next month anyway! 😉

It’s time for me to take some time to relax and recharge my creative batteries, so the auto-responder is on and I am now officially on holiday.

I hope you have a fabulous Summer too, wherever you are in the World!

Hasta pronto!

Kay 🌿🤍 xx

PS The Studio will be closed from Friday 25th July until Monday 11th August.

22/07/2025

“We are absolutely thrilled with the branding work you did for us. . . your professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail have been truly outstanding. The final branding perfectly captures the essence of our Cafe and has remarkably enhanced our overall image. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend Tranquillo Creative to anyone looking for exceptional design work.”
LORRAINE KANDASAMY,
ESSIMO CAFE

15/07/2025

Proud to present: Essimo Cafe

BRAND STORY:
Nestled in the picturesque coastal village of Portsoy, Essimo Cafe is more than just a place to grab a coffee - it’s a tranquil retreat where artisan craftsmanship meets modern elegance. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the warm and inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee and delicious, home made food. Whether you’re catching up with friends or cherishing a moment of solitude, Essimo offers an escape from the rush of everyday life.

CLIENT BRIEF:
To create a simple, modern word mark for a start up business - a cafe opening in the historic village of Portsoy, Aberdeenshire.
Beautiful, clean, modern typography is at the heart of this simple brand design. Its classic, timeless style will allow it to develop and grow along with the fledgling business.
The muted brand palette was inspired by the colours found on a coffee plant, and those found in traditional Italian street cafes - evoking a calm sense of warmth and a welcoming ambience.

THE OUTCOME:
I designed various touchpoints for Essimo Cafe - from business cards printed with a tactile, soft touch finish, to social media profile icons, through to a fully responsive website - creating a warm, modern, yet professional client experience for their customers. I wish Kanda all the very best in his new venture, and I look forward to visiting soon to enjoy his hospitality, delicious coffee, and of course some freshly baked treats!

10/07/2025

Clarity is everything when it comes to creating a simple, stylish and cohesive brand identity for your business . . .

I can help you to make sense of that jumble of thoughts and ideas you have in your head and together we’ll develop a clear roadmap that will guide you effortlessly through the design process.

Taking that wee bit of time to really get to know you, and the hopes and dreams you have for your business, allows me to create an intentional, thoughtful and well-crafted brand identity. One that will not only reflect your brand’s essence, but will resonate with your ideal audience too.

I have worked as a graphic designer for almost 40 years, and in that time I have gathered a whole wealth of design knowledge and experience that I can draw upon when designing something beautiful and unique just for you. Over the years I have helped many individuals and independent businesses, who have trusted me with creating their visual brand story, and I am grateful to have been able to guide them on their branding journey.

If you too would like to gain clarity in your branding experience, then comment CALM below and I will send you the link to my Media Kit document. This document explains more about my design process, what you can expect working with me, my brand packages, investment information, deliverables and additional items that can also be added to help elevate your brand even more.

I’d really love to be able help you to create a beautiful brand identity, one that you can be proud of and that truly represents who you are.

Kay 🌿🤍 xx

01/07/2025

“Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.”
E. V.

-

A sunny colour palette befitting the month ahead . . . 🌼

27/06/2025

Mallorca has definitely changed how I run my business. Gone is the hustle, and in its’ place has evolved a slower more gentle way of working - hence my business name “Tranquilo” (meaning calm, quiet, tranquil, serene and peaceful) - it’s also one of my favourite Spanish words.

The temperatures on the Island during July and August can reach well into the mid 40’s (Centigrade), and this does not make for “tranquilo” working conditions! So, instead of melting into a puddle on the floor, this peely-wally Scot retreats north to cooler climes! It’s almost time to slow down, head back to Scotland and take some time for myself.

So, with that in mind, I just want to let you know that the Studio will be closed from Friday 25th July until Monday 11th August. ⠀

And, as I start to tie up the loose ends on current branding projects before my Summer break, I just wanted to let you know that I am now taking bookings for September through to December. So, if you’ve been thinking about investing in a beautiful brand identity, having some printed collateral designed for your business or even a website revamp, then please do get in touch and we can have a wee chat about your project . . .

Kay 🌿🤍 x