#1 Miide: Badass Reflective Garbage In-Garbage Out Designer.

Years after he began designing in junior secondary school, Miide continues to feed on creativity to fuel his passion to be a designer.

Can we meet you?

Okay… Uhmm. My name is David Yusuf. I am known as Miide or Miide Kraft by creatives. A Student of the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University; 400l. Just 6 months left to graduate.

Yeah, I like food. I'm single. I'm not searching. I don't know, maybe I'm searching. I'm a very boring person. That's basically all about me.

All right, Thank you. So, How did you get started with designing?

Design… My first encounter with design ever was JSS 3, Computer Science. Our computer teacher gave us an assignment to recreate the school logo using CorelDraw.

That was the first time I ever tried design. After that, I forgot what design was till Senior Secondary School, I think SS3. Then I started learning design after WAEC and NECO.

I'm self-taught. I started learning on my own; through YouTube, registering for masterclasses, and the likes. Then, I started my brand in 2016. I was called David's Creation back then.

In 2017, I rebranded, changed to Miide Krafts. And here I am, still designing.

All right. Thank you for that. How do you manage-- Okay, you're a student and also a creative. You know, being a student alone-

[Chuckles]

Not to talk of being a student of OAU is a lot of work and being a creative also requires dedication. So how do you manage being a student and a designer at the same time?

It's been a rollercoaster. It's tough. Especially me being a student of Dramatic Arts, where we have numerous rehearsals back to back. There's hardly time for ourselves. It's been tough, but God dey [chuckles]

God dey… Very good. As a student creative, what are some of the challenges you face?

Being a student creative, challenges I face...

First things first, I am a very big procrastinator. So, me being a student creative and a procrastinator has a lot to do with my department. Let's say, for instance, I have a project I have to work on. I will be like I can always start tomorrow.

When tomorrow arrives, I will probably have a rehearsal set for that time. Consequently, I won't have time to work on that project. Like I said, "God dey, I don't know how he has been doing it".

[Laughs] Yeah, that’s true. But how have you managed to handle it?

Procrastination….

The challenge you said you do face is procrastination. Tell us, have you been able to overcome it? At least you do deliver your projects--

I do.

You do your school stuff. So how do you manage it?

Well, I'm a person that works best under pressure. I think or I like to convince myself that procrastination helps me. So, when the deadline is already close-

Is close by… [smiles]

I do everything and my brain works faster. But, I'm trying to stop that.

[Laughs]

It's a work in progress.

Everyone does that. Everyone procrastinates. Going on, What's the design community like in your school?

The design community in OAU is beautiful, it's wonderful actually. There is this….no bad blood vibe amongst all of us, like, we all want to see each other win. We are all for each other, we are rooting for each other. There is no enmity of any sort amongst us.

Unlike the music industry. I know this because I have friends that do music in OAU and I know what they are facing with their fellow musicians. But the design community so far has been good.

Can you mention a few of the design communities that you know or you are part of on OAU campus?

Ehhh, I'm not really part of one. I just dabble in here and there. I have friends that are amongst others.

Okay… Moving On. What is your creative process like? When you have a project how do you go about it?

How do I go about it…? It's research, ideation, design then delivery. That's basically what I do.

So your research….

I do my research on the design I'm to embark on, prolly a brand identity; what the brand is like, their competitors, competitors identity and all that.

Then I move to ideation i.e. sketches, drafting out things that I want to implement. Next, I design the sketches the sketches, and finally deliver. And God's willing there are no changes [laughs]

[Laughs] That's one big challenge a lot of creatives go through. Back and forth. Okay… What are some of the tools you mostly use while working?

Hmm…. I have my grid pad, my laptop, my internet. For the software, it depends on the project but I mostly use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effect, In-design, Cinema 4d, and Blender.

Interesting. You know, we can't deny the reality of what is going on. Since the COVID-19 pandemic; a lot has changed, things are no longer the same. So tell us, How has COVID-19 impacted you as a designer and as a student?

I keep telling my friends that I thank God for COVID-19 because it did a lot for me. I think that was the time I finally got to complete my portfolio. I had time to do a lot of things and I became knowledgeable in things I didn’t know before.

I can say I got better as a designer and also as a student because of the COVID-19 Lockdown. It was like a vacation that was set aside for me to build and work on myself. I’m glad I made good use of that opportunity.

You would therefore say that COVID-19 has been a blessing to you as a designer and as a student?

Yes, It has been a blessing to me.

Have you ever felt like quitting design?

Ahh Yes.

How did you handle that feeling?

See, there some projects that when you are working on them, It will get to a point that you will begin to ask yourself why you're designing in the first place. But then; I get back up, dust my feet and I tell myself, "You started for a reason; so continue, that passion can’t just die". And I move on.

You get yourself up together and do what needs to be done.

Yes.

What project or piece of work have you done or executed that are you most proud of?  

I’m proud of every piece of work I’ve put out because it’s a reflection of how I’ve evolved and grown as a person and as a designer. I don’t have a favorite or least favorite. Not yet.

GOLD ICEBOX

Okay… We know being a creative is very tough. Today, you are feeling creative and tomorrow you feel differently. So, how do you stay creative?, How do you keep on designing?

Well, “I feed on creativity”.

There’s this saying: "Garbage In Garbage Out". Whenever I’m less busy, I like seeing anything creative; be it design, photography, poetry, music or anything. When I feed on these things, I get inspired. And there are some designs that I'll see and be like: No! David. You have to keep working [laughs]

[Laughs] Yeah, I totally understand that. You feed yourself a lot of things that inspire you.

Yes.

Outside of designing and being a student, how do you relax?, How do you have fun?

I’m a gamer and a foodie. I like playing games, eating, listening to music and reading books. I also journal a lot.

Nice… Who are the designers or creatives generally (this is not being restrictive), that inspire you?

Ahh, My Daddy in the Lord, Chris Do, Matthew Encina, Ogunsanya Oyeleye, Julia Masalska, Evans Akanno, Fungi Dube, Made by Studio JQ; I don’t know his real name but I follow him on Instagram and he is into 3D, @korty_eo, Tola Alabi and Ifeoluwa Sopeju.

Okay. Who is that one creative you would like to work with or collaborate with on a project?

“IFEOLUWA SOPEJU”. I don’t know how it’s going to happen o. I don’t know how; it has to happen, it must happen, It will happen (bursts out laughing).

Do you have a dream company or  brand you want to work with or work for?

I want to work for THE FUTUR.

Interesting. Any advice for anyone looking to get started in designing?

There’s no harm in trying. The only regret you will ever have is not trying at all. So do what you have to do and don’t stop creating.

Great advice. Which other creative or designer would you like us to interview?

I have this friend, Black Crayon Creative; Oyenuga Olaotan that’s his name and Adebola Daniel, Leonard Creation, A Photographer.

So, how can we contact you?

I am  Miide Krafts on every social media.

With that, we have come to the end of our interview. Thank you so much for your time.

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Takeaway Nuggets: We can see that you don't have to have all the resources in place or figure everything out at once. That which you have is enough to start your journey… Start Small, Learn along the way.

Everything is a stage, its only for a period of time.

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