“Build your connections and your network. No one works in isolation especially creatives.”
Quick Facts
Education Level: Graduate School
Years of Experience: 20+ Years
About
Aldrena Hicks is an artist and designer whose work spans cultural storytelling, visual design, and event stationery. As the founder of Only Lovely Creative, she creates meaningful visual experiences that connect people to their stories, whether through design projects, cultural initiatives, or personalized celebrations.
Her journey into the field was shaped by a lifelong connection to creativity. Growing up within a family of artists such as makers, musicians, and fiber artists, creating was always a part of her world. She shares that, “An art class in high school first sparked my interest, and I went on to study Studio Art at Columbia College SC. During my second year, I took my first graphic design course and realized that design was the lane where my love of art, storytelling, and problem-solving all came together.”
Aldrena prioritizes time and research on the story behind her current projects, whether it is an organization, cultural initiative, or a couple planning a wedding. This allows her to understand the depth of the client’s story and helps her unique creative process. She explains that “Understanding the people and context helps guide the creative direction. I also still build paper prototypes and explore ideas by hand before moving fully into digital design. That mix of research, storytelling, and hands-on experimentation shapes the way I approach every project.”
Storytelling and cultural identity are central to her work. As a South Carolina creative, she explores how design can help people celebrate who they are and the moments that matter in their lives. Her graduate thesis, “Little Brown Girl,” focused on identity and representation in design and later evolved into her self-published book, “You Are a Queen,” which speaks to young Black girls and the young girl within about identity, worth, and self-definition.
Aldrena emphasizes the importance of collaboration, connection, and understanding the business side of creative work. She encourages emerging creatives to build strong networks, seek feedback, and recognize that sustainable creative practice requires both artistic and professional awareness.
