Kung Fu Nuns

A promotional sign for Kung Fu Nuns with an outdoor background showing women in black uniforms performing martial arts with red umbrellas.
Five women dressed in martial arts uniforms are breaking wooden boards during a demonstration, with dust and wood fragments flying in the air.
Flag of Tibet plus cover of Kill Bill movie poster with Uma Thurman wielding a sword equals Kung Fu Nuns text logo.
Two martial artists in black uniforms sparring with long metal weapons on a brick platform, with a forested mountain background.
Three young monks practicing kung fu outdoors on a paved area with trees in the background. They are wearing maroon uniforms and white shoes and are in pose positions showing balance and strength. Overlay text says 'KUNG FU NUNS'.
A large group of diverse people, including children, adults, and monks wearing traditional robes, gathered outdoors for a group photo. Many are holding signs that say "KUNG FU NUN" and some are making peace signs. The background features buildings and a clear blue sky.
Young martial artist in traditional uniform performs a high kick outdoors, with mountains in the background, and a 'Kung Fu Nuns' logo in the bottom left corner.
Five women in Buddhist monk robes and red hats standing on outdoor stairs holding signs that read "Happy International Women's Day From The Kung Fu Nuns," with a statue and flags in the background.
Group of people, including women and children, standing in front of a blue wall with the logo of the Obama Foundation, some holding bags and posters promoting Kung Fu Nuns, and all wearing traditional attire.
A group of people wearing black uniforms and red berets standing in a line on a stage at an event. There is a large screen behind them showing a close-up of a young man with a microphone and a red hat. The setting appears to be a formal indoor venue with a high ceiling and ornate architecture. The scene suggests a ceremony or awards event.

The Kung Fu Nuns belong to a 900-year-old Buddhist sect called the Drukpa, derived from the Tibetan word for dragon.

They are Nepal’s only female order to practice the deadly martial art made famous by Bruce Lee. In the inherently patriarchal Buddhist monastic system, women are considered inferior to men. Monks usually occupy all leadership positions, leaving nuns to the household duties and other tedious chores. But in 2008, the leader of the 1,000-year-old Drukpa lineage, His Holiness The Gyalwang Drukpa, changed everything.

They handle traditional weapons, such as the ki am (sword), small dao (sabre), big dao (halberd), tong (lance) and nunchaku (chain attached to two metal bars).

You may have heard about them on NPR, The New York Times, BBC.

Their goal: To promote gender equality and empower the young women, who mostly come from poor backgrounds in India and Tibet.

They teach self-defense, rescue abused and neglected animals, and promote awareness of human trafficking.

The Ask: Create a logo/branding before they make their first US tour. The logo would also be used as a medal/badge as part of the uniform, and across messaging.

Challenges: The logo must be readable from a distance as they travel, especially in countries with limited English. It must reflect their bold mission and attitude, feel modern, but not throw away the tradition of the ancient sect—a need for a quick turnaround for their debut in the US and international tour.

Solution: A bold type logo that is easily legible, using the colors and layout of the Drukpa lineage flag + taking inspiration from the type of Kill Bill, a film that features badass female martial artists.

Side note: I grew up in a mixed martial arts family, training formally at a young age, and competing in the men’s full-contact combat division. Working on this project was a dream.

Client
Kung Fu Nuns

Project
Branding

Logo

A group of monks practicing yoga or meditation outdoors on a paved area with trees and a building in the background at sunset.
Group of nine women in uniform with red hats, smiling and giving thumbs up in front of a purple wall with NPR logo.
Young boy practicing martial arts in traditional maroon uniform, performing a punch in a dojo or martial arts training area with other practitioners in the background.
Cotton tote bags on the floor, one with the text 'Be Your Own Hero' and the other with the logo 'KUNG FU NUNS' and the slogan 'BE YOUR OWN HERO'.
A young person with a red beret and black outfit standing in line, placing an item into a white shopping bag labeled 'KUNG FU NUNS' at a store.
A quote by Zeyn Joukadhar stating, 'I am a woman and a warrior. If you think I can't be both, you've been lied to.' In the bottom right corner, there is a logo that reads 'KUNG FU NUNS'. The background is solid dark blue.