#64: Chulumanco Makuluma (Chuls)

We're joined by freelance digital designer and illustrator, Chulumanco 'Chuls' Makuluma, who tells us more about Cyanotype, traveling to Suidobashi (Tokyo), Rupaul's Drag Race, and so much more.

Chulumanco Makuluma aka ‘Chuls’, is a freelance digital designer and illustrator but also so much more! She recently moved back home from studying in Cape Town and is slowly finding her footing in Johannesburg. Majority of her work is in digital design and a niche that she has is in poster design! She is part of CIRCLES & SQUARES (which we had as our guests for FRM Newsletter #37) as a designer and also GREAT BLACK MUSIC as a designer as well. She is quite the introvert, often described as quiet and shy, and they can agree. Despite those characteristics she does thrive in a collaborative environment and loves meeting new people and making connections. With her design she aspires to always reflect on her lived experience and outside of design, she does take the occasional film photo.

Here are some of her recommendations as a full-time homebody and semi-chronically online girl. We welcome Chuls to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently.

🎧🎙 Music/Podcasts

I'm always listening to something. ‘This Is Actually Happening’ is a podcast I listen to frequently. It's an honest retelling of events by the person who has experienced them. Heartbreaking and oftentimes traumatic, the stories are told from their perspective and in their voice.

📖💡 Reading

I've set myself a reading challenge, to read 15 books by the end of the year. I am on book number 7 and my favourite book so far is: ‘How to Say Babylon: A Memoir’ by Safiya Sinclair. This book is a memoir by the author on growing up in a strict Rastafarian household in Jamaica. It's a must read! The writing is incredible, I annotated the book and it made me more aware of what I was reading. I learnt so much about the Rastafarian religion and I also learnt about the escape that poetry provided for the author in her most difficult parts of her life. By the end of the book I felt like I watched the author grow so much. 5/5 read.

👖❤ Fashion

My wardrobe must have is a denim jacket. I have this blue denim jacket that I thrifted whilst in Japan and I haven't taken it off ever since. I always wear it and it never fails me.

🎥🎞 Film/TV

I don't really watch too many films but what I do watch is Rupaul's Drag Race. It's fun, campy, creative, funny and everything in between. I can't get enough of it. I feel like it is my comfort show right now.

🎌🌎 Travel

I have a fear of flying, I think the fear is more linked to my fear of dying but I hate flying as it makes me anxious. With that being said though, last year was my first time overseas and I had the amazing opportunity to visit Japan. Japan has always been my dream travel destination and it did not disappoint at all. I was there for 10 days and I was based in Tokyo but more specifically in Suidobashi. The trip was split into about 7 nights in the city then the last 3 days in another place closer to Mount Fuji. I honestly fell in love with the country and the culture. The locals were friendly and kind and the food was amazing, I felt so independent and safe. I have to go back soon.

🎨👩‍🎨 Art

I don't paint as much as I used to or draw as much too but for my final illustration brief last year I tried out a different medium which was Cyanotype. Cyanotype is basically a solution that you use to print images with the sun. That is as simple as I can explain the process, when your image is printed it comes out this deep blue that is honestly so beautiful. Each image is unique and the whole process of printing feels so intimate and intentional. I would love to explore it more.

🍸💏 Lifestyle

Even though I'm homebody, I recommend going out in the sun and spending time with your loved ones. Community is so important to me as I grew up with no siblings, I try to be as intentional as I can with the people I meet and the relationships I make. Go out and make memories with your loved ones.