Meet Intelligent Jelani | Founder & Creative Director of KooziArts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Intelligent Jelani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Intelligent, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Most people I encounter think graphic dresing is about creating atrractive, artistic posters, billboards, logos and other deliverables. But grap[hic design is about solving problems by using design. Companies need to stand out in the marketplace and have a clear identity, so we create brand identity systelms that consist of logos, colors, fonts, etc., so the market can recognize a particular brand. Companies need drivve sales, so we design marketing collateral like ads and brochures that appeal to the target market of brands. At KooziArts, we use graphic design to eleveate brand perception and identity.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a Brooklyn native and vegan of 25 years that has resided in Atlanta since 2012. I grew up in an artistic household, which ultimatly severed as the foundation for my becoming a graphic designer and founding my creative consultancy KooziArts, LLC. I’m also a New York Times Best-Selling Editor and bestselling author, but I no longer edit or do much writing. My wife an I also own a clothing brand called uswear, and a candle company called Velvet Nights Candle Co.

My greatest hardship in the business world has been time management and struggling to grow multiple businesses simultaneously. What I am most passionate about and have been the most successful with is KooziArts, so that is where the bulk of my energy goes. Having clients across the nation in fields as divergent as roofing, engineering, and film has allowoed me to meet people from all walks of life and learn from them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Beltline is a favorite place of mine because it gives me an outdoor feel and I can take in the energy of people which enjoying the art on the Beltline.

Connected to The Beltline, in Ponce City Market, is Bar Vegan. This is a fun place to have good food and drinks with the high energy of a lounge.

I also like to stroll down Peachtree Street, staring at the undergroud and heading to midtown. While Atlanta is far less populated then Brooklyn, Peachtree Street is somewhat remeniscient of the times I spent strolling through Downtown Brooklyn. Atlantic Station is also a good place to hang out, and my wife and I do a lot of vending out there, selling our clothing brand.

I love miniature golf, so Puttshack is nice spot to hand out indoors.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout my Queen and wife, Shana Jelani for helping make me beter.

Website: https://kooziarts.com

Instagram: thehiphopvegan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/intelligent-jelani-5854b959/

Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fkooziarts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KooziArts

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kooziarts/videos

Other: Email: intelligent@kooziarts.com

Image Credits
Photos by Kevon Richardson Photography and Antoinne Duane Jones