Bolu Kolawole, design is more than visuals — it’s about crafting experiences that people can feel, touch, and inhabit. An experience designer and visual storyteller, Bolu works at the intersection of the physical and digital, often exploring themes of womanhood, birth, and healing through tactile and immersive storytelling. Whether through moving images, installations, or interactive media, her practice amplifies marginalised voices and creates spaces for reflection, conversation, and connection.
At the heart of her work lies a curiosity: how can design bridge worlds, spark empathy, and transform complex ideas into experiences that are both accessible and caring?
Part 1
Who are you, and how would you describe your creative practice?
I’m Bolu, an experience designer and visual storyteller fascinated by the space where physical and digital worlds meet. My work often explores womanhood, birth, and healing through tactile storytelling as a way of creating spaces and experiences that invite reflection, conversation, and connection.
I’m usually working with moving images, installations, or interactive media, as my aim is to amplify marginalised voices and foster cultural exchange. At the heart of my practice is a curiosity about how design can bridge worlds, spark empathy, and turn complex ideas into experiences that are both accessible and caring.
What drew you to this field?
I’ve always been drawn to the way a story can live beyond words — exploring how it can be felt, touched, and inhabited. My background in design opened up a playground that allowed me freedom to experiment with different mediums. Over time, I realised the work that moved me most was the work that held space for underrepresented perspectives and invited audiences into a shared, sensory journey.
What’s something you’re working on right now that excites you?
Right now, I’m creating a film that explores maternal relationships and the pressures of society, told through the language of dance. The movement becomes both a personal and collective expression, revealing the tensions, tenderness, and unspoken narratives that shape these bonds.
This project is pushing me to blend choreography, moving image, and immersive sound into a single, layered experience. I’m fascinated by how the body can communicate what words can’t.
Who or what is inspiring you lately?
Lately, I’ve been inspired by the art form of dance and its ability to communicate emotion, tension, and narrative without a single word. Movement can hold so much story, and that has shaped how I’m approaching my own projects.
I’m also really inspired by the field of creative health, where art is used as a tool for wellbeing.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
I would say follow your instincts, even if they lead you somewhere unconventional. The projects where you’re unsure how it will turn out are often the ones that teach you the most. Don’t shy away from mixing mediums, and let curiosity lead the way.
Also take the time to understand the stories you’re telling. Empathy is the difference between work that looks good and work that truly resonates.
What does community mean to you in your work or creative life?
Community is both my foundation and my fuel. It’s about the people that share their perspectives and collaborate to make something none of us could create alone. In my work, I think of community not just as an audience, but as active participants who are shaping, contributing, and carrying the narrative forward.
What does it mean to be a Creative Opps Member?
It’s about belonging to a network where creativity is shared, celebrated, and strengthened by collaboration. For me, it’s a chance to both learn from and contribute to a community that values work with purpose and imagination.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I love collaborating with artists and creatives who work in unconventional mediums — people who bring unexpected textures, formats, or perspectives into the process. If you’re working in these spaces, or looking to push the boundaries of how stories can be experienced, I’d love to connect.
Key Takeaways from Bolu’s Journey
Design as lived experience.
Bolu’s work is not limited to visuals — it’s about creating experiences that audiences can inhabit. She uses installations, moving image, and interactive design to create spaces where stories become sensory, embodied, and deeply felt. For her, the ultimate goal is to build environments that move beyond aesthetics and invite reflection, connection, and emotional resonance.
Amplifying underrepresented voices.
At the heart of Bolu’s practice is a commitment to making space for perspectives that are often marginalised. She uses design as a tool to amplify these voices, creating work that fosters empathy and cultural exchange. By centring underrepresented stories, she demonstrates how design can be both a platform for visibility and a catalyst for social connection.
Blending movement and narrative.
Her current project is a film exploring maternal relationships through dance, choreography, and sound. By using the body as a medium, Bolu is able to express tensions, tenderness, and unspoken narratives that words alone cannot capture. This blending of art forms allows her to communicate the emotional complexity of her themes while also pushing her own practice into new, layered territory.
Inspiration from movement and wellbeing.
Bolu has found new creative energy in the art of dance and the field of creative health. Dance inspires her with its ability to communicate emotion and story without language, while creative health demonstrates how art can be used as a tool for wellbeing. Both influences have deepened her curiosity about how art can function as care — not only expressing, but also supporting, healing and growth.
Curiosity as compass.
Her advice to emerging creatives is to follow your instincts, even when the path feels unconventional. She believes curiosity should be the guide, encouraging artists to mix mediums, take risks, and embrace projects that may not have clear outcomes at the start. For Bolu, these uncertain journeys are often the ones that yield the most learning and growth.
Community as co-creation.
Community, for Bolu, is not simply an audience — it’s a group of co-creators who actively shape the work alongside her. She views collaboration as essential, creating work that emerges from many perspectives rather than a single voice. This approach ensures her practice remains rooted in empathy and openness, with every project strengthened by collective insight.
Creative Opps as belonging.
For Bolu, being part of Creative Opps is about more than opportunity — it’s about belonging. The network gives her space to learn, contribute, and grow alongside other creatives who value imagination and purpose. It has also introduced her to potential collaborators, reinforcing her belief that the best work is created together.
Connect with Bolu
📸 Instagram: @bk.design.studios
🌐 Website: bk—studios.cargo.site