#23 Akinwunmi: Visual designer currently exploring product design, music business and art direction, and his other interests

I think of myself as a visual creative. I currently design and have a background in photography. I have done a bit of cinematography in the past too. I am quite fascinated by design, film, and music.

Feb 15, 2023

Hi, Thank you for joining us for today’s episode of StudentsWhoCreate Interview. Our Student Creative for today is a 400-level student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) studying English Language. He describes himself as a visual creative currently exploring product design, music business and art direction, and his other interests.

What led him to design? What are the biggest challenges he faces as a student creative? How does he navigate these challenges? How did the covid-19 pandemic impact him and the work he does? What drives his work as a visual creative? What keeps him going? Read and enjoy!!!

Hi, Thank you for speaking with us. Can we meet you?

My name is Akinwunmi Popoola. I am currently a 400-level student at Obafemi Awolowo University studying English Language.

I think of myself as a visual creative. I currently design and have a background in photography. I have done a bit of cinematography. My Linkedin bio says;

“I am a visual designer currently exploring product design, music art direction, and other interests. Quite fascinated by design, film, and music. Here to find my place in the grand scheme of things, the “Intersect”. Often described as inquisitive. Committed to making cool things that work! That's the goal.”

I am a music enthusiast and definitely want to work in music - we will see how that goes. I’m actively trying to learn. I am an inquisitive person and people do say I ask a lot of questions. I don’t mind though, I’ll ask enough questions till my curiosity is sated.

Interesting!!! How did you get into being a visual creative?

As a kid, I did a lot of playing around with the computer because we had this desktop at home while I was growing up. Paint, Mavis Beacon, Encarta kids and Mine Sweep took up all my screen time then. The first "design" and "collage" I did was in Microsoft Paint. I remember falling in love with James Hardley Chase's novels then too. I’d read them all night and would sleep in school the next day. My brother and I started writing a novel with inspiration from JHC, It was fun.

When I finished secondary school, I was at home for a bit because I didn’t get into university immediately. I had this older brother who came to visit us one day and while he was leaving, he started telling me about getting into design and showed me some posters on the road as references but in my head, the posters were not that cool, so I wasn't really convinced that it was something interesting to do. The admission thing stretched so I was at home reading novels and running errands.

After almost a year of staying at home and being the errand boy, I called my big bro to take up his offer to learn design and he asked me to come to his office. He had a photography and design studio. That was my first stint as a design intern/studio assistant. I started going to the office where I had access to the studio and the computers there. There was another assistant and there were two desktop computers; an iMac and one with a Windows OS. The other guy was inclined to the computer with the Windows OS so I was stuck with the iMac which was how I got introduced to the Apple ecosystem and became an Apple fanboy. At that time, I would barely touch the camera because I was scared of damaging it because I couldn't afford to buy it back if I spoiled it. I mostly designed for the studio and eventually saved up to buy my first laptop, a 2011 Macbook pro.

Well, months later, my admission came through, although I stayed back for a bit. I resumed OAU and pretty much continued to design when I got into school.

What has the journey been like since you started?

The journey has been very unplanned, although recently, I have been trying to incorporate a level of structure and planning. But I’ve had fun doing things I enjoy along the way, I’m hoping to do even more.

How have you been able to combine school with being a visual creative?

To be honest, I am not the best when it comes to this but I have made tons of mistakes and learnt things the “not so easy” way. Initially, there was this rush because of the uncertainty and pressure that comes with being a freelancer. Working as a full-time employee is a lot different from being a freelancer because being full-time means you know what is expected of you by your company and you can easily plan around that, this isn’t the same for freelancers. You’re either actively working or you’re preparing for and seeking out your next gig while learning and self-development are squeezed into that. There were courses I barely attended their classes because I was busy designing. I had to remind myself that school is really important. Regardless of the course of study, you need to graduate. A lot of people say that tech is a level playing ground but in reality, it is not always true, so yeah academics are just as important, get your grades up lol. In my earlier years on campus, I would work for most of the day and will read in between free periods, it made my first 2 years easier, but as I progressed school got more demanding and freelancing also demanded my attention. I have had to adjust to things several times. In reality, it is never easy to combine, you just have to find what works for you.

What are some of the challenges you face as a student creative?

Challenges differ and are complex because there are several layers to them. One challenge is time management and the ability to strike a balance between all the things you’re involved in.

Another one is getting paid below the value of what one is offering.

Another one is overextending oneself to several things (Projects, Organizations, Friends and so on) and being a part of too many things that require one’s commitment to deliver to them. There is also the lack of rest and burnout that comes with that too.

Then the trials of employment or job hunting. It can be a whole lot.

My biggest issue used to be having a workspace and reliable internet. Recently, I had to take a break from freelancing because of the lack of time. The lack of structure is also a big challenge. Having to choose between school and one’s interest in design is also a challenge.

How have you been able to navigate these challenges?

Having structures, timetables, schedules, and a personal drive has helped me greatly. It is easy to get complacent when you're making a bit more income because you feel like you're doing okay and better, hence ignoring aspects of personal development. Knowing to work optimally and not just harder is very important.

Also, talking to people and my friends have been a lot helpful because I used to be isolated when I started out designing as a student. But as I started to make friends and be a part of communities, I adapted and realized that I was not the only one facing particular challenges. I’ve learnt several ways to address some of these challenges from listening to other people talk about their experiences and approaches.

Are you a part of any creative community in your school?

Yes. Communities are very important and helpful. I am a member of Friends Of Figma, Ile-Ife, JCI OAU, Red Cross OAU and other non-design clubs.

What is your creative process like? How do you go from the brief to the final result?

Two of my favourite cartoons of all time, Phineas and Ferb, and Megas XLR, depict a lot of reverse engineering. In fact, I learnt the term from Phineas and Ferb. I try to infuse it into my workflow, and it has since become a big part of how I work. After getting a brief, I do as much research as I can and try to find leading thoughts, ideas, and approaches that have been used to address similar briefs. Then I create a mood board that contains most of my findings and inspiration. I try to tear down and replicate current systems and solutions to the brief and problem. I then start to explore ideas from this until I find a final one I settle on and execute until I get to the final output.

What tools do you use for creating?

For software, I mostly use Adobe suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects, and Premiere Pro), Figma, and Final Cut. I have tried out DaVinci Resolve.

Apart from my MacBook, I use a camera, audio and lighting gear, and props (when needed).

How would you describe the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on you and your work as a creative?

The year 2020 started well for me but the COVID really just messed everything up. I was in Abuja when it started but got stuck in Lagos for the full lockdown. I didn't get much work because most of the work I used to do before the pandemic was in the entertainment/nightlife industry and the lockdown meant that they couldn’t do business.

A lot of people picked up product design and UI/UX design but I didn't, I thought it was a fad, Joke’s on me though I eventually did. I did some cinematography training during the lockdown.

One thing I still kind of regret is that I didn't have the creative confidence to share the work I did then. After 2020, I realized my mistake and opened up to learning new things and I think I have gotten better. I have been learning and exploring since then.

Have you ever felt like quitting?

Yes, severally.

What usually brings about the feeling?

Several things. Sometimes it's an issue of not seeing results after putting in a lot of work. I had a creative slump in 2020 and I wanted to quit badly then. Also, It's one thing to say I design and another thing to say I am a designer, that is, getting paid to design. Then pressure especially when you're in a group of people who are doing well professionally. There's that pressure.

Also, being digital and staring at screens can really mess you up over time if you don't take breaks. Another thing is hormone imbalances, too much dopamine or serotonin can greatly affect how you feel towards certain things, especially if the work is monotonous.

How do you navigate this feeling when it comes?

My friend recently shared something with me about the 5 seconds rule where holding on a bit longer can help you see things through. Also, I picked up running and I constantly push myself. I’m learning the discipline of holding on regardless of immediate results, it’s not every time you get the results immediately.

ILLUSTRATED POSTERS V1 (A Collaboration with Manny)

What are your proudest projects?

To be honest, I love most of my projects almost the same. I enjoyed the Art Direction for Qoye. I also enjoyed making these Sport Posters and Flyers too. I loved creating this clean interfaces for a saving app. I loved the web explorations for this Landing Page too.

How do you stay creative? What keeps you creating?

One thing is that inspired people can be lethargic, especially regarding unexplored ideas. Too many unexplored ideas make a mental junkyard, so I try to always explore and push boundaries with my explorations. I look at people's work and decide to explore and try out ideas. Sometimes I just rework things.

I also watch cartoons a lot. I try to read Harry Potter every other year to keep the inner child alive.

What do you do for fun? How do you relax when you're not actively creating?

I watch cartoons and movies. Reading and finding new music are things I do for fun. I watch movies to analyze them and sometimes to enjoy them. I enjoy playing football even though I have not played recently. I also enjoy adventure games too. But daydreaming takes the top spot.

Who are the people that inspire you?

I get inspiration from everywhere and everyone but off the top of my head, I would say, Bethany Heck, Shuta Bug, Joe Perez, Niyi Okeowo, Joey Banks, Michael Pangilinan, and Temi Coker.

Who are the creatives you would love to work or collaborate with on a project?

I can’t make a list for this, I love collaborating. The people I mentioned above are a great start. My DM is open/available on all platforms for collaborations. There’s a big chance I’d reach out too.

What brands would you love to work with?

Burocratik, Mucho, Paystack, Apple and Apple Music (yes I’m serious), Company3, and Spotify. There are a lot of insanely creative companies out there, I just hope and pray to be a part of something significant.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in their creative journey?

I know I said I am a visual creative but I will like to point out that having too many options is not always a good thing because there is a myriad of things you are unprepared for. People like the idea of a generalist but it doesn’t really translate to hires. So I would say find an interest and stick with it. Let people know you for something even though you choose to explore other things on your own. Be known for something. Please build your portfolio. And collaborate a lot. The last two things can’t be overemphasised.

Who would you like us to interview next?

Manny, Moyo, Orenimi, Emma and Qoye.

How can people reach you?

You can connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Behance and LinkedIn.

Thank you for sharing with us!!!

Takeaway Nugget: Find an interest and stick with it. Let people know you for something even though you choose to explore other things on your own. Be known for something.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to share the story

See you next time!!!

StudentsWhoCreate