#9 Oba: From stumbling into Graphic Design to making a career out of it
I actually stumbled into graphic design. When I started, I didn't know what graphic design was... I sent the design on IG and their reply was, “This design is terrible, we do not need your service"
Hi, Thank you for joining us for today’s episode of StudentsWhoCreate Interview. Our Student Creative for today is a 400 level student of Obafemi Awolowo University who stumbled into graphic design during the lockdown and has since chosen to make a career out of it! What happened when he faced his first rejection and how did he get past it? Read and enjoy!!!
Hi, Thank you for speaking with us. Can we meet you?
My name is Idowu Obaloluwa Victor, a 400 level student of the Department of Philosophy, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm a graphic designer, majorly brand identity design. I collaborate with businesses to create identities that will help their business grow. I'm the 2nd child from a family of 5. I'm from a family of graphic designers; I have an elder brother and an uncle who are designers.
Thank you! How did you get into graphic design?
I actually stumbled into graphic design. When I started, I didn't know what graphic design was but I knew what CorelDraw was and wanted to learn it. Over time, I got to know what graphic design was but I started with the tools first which happened to be more of a setback because I couldn't explore as much as I wanted due to the fact that I lacked the theoretical foundation. So I started with CorelDraw by watching videos and tutorials on how to use it. Then I started to design flyers but with time I was able to move into a specialized area which is identity design; which includes designing logos and other brand assets.
When did you start designing?
Technically, it's been over a year. The first time I opened CorelDraw was in June 2020.
How have you been able to combine design with being a student?
The first thing I always do is try to discover myself, try to know where I fit in better. I'm a good student but I don't feel too comfortable with my course of study. What I do is give 30% of my time to school and the other 70% to design. I don't attend classes I know the lecturer will give out the materials and notes for, so I am able to dedicate that time to design but there are classes I know are important for me to attend so I make sure I do.
Design is what I want to do, I don't want to practice philosophy, so I have to give attention to design.
What are some of the challenges you face being a student designer?
One challenge is having to prepare for tests and having a deadline to meet so I'm always in between preparing well for my test and delivering when I promised to. So the challenge is having to split my time between two important things.
How have you been able to handle this challenge so far?
Recently, I worked with a client, and he didn't give me a deadline, but from our conversation, it seemed like it was urgent and at the same time, I had a test scheduled. What I did was read a lot during the day from 10 am to 4 pm and work at night from 10 pm till the morning. When I was done with the test I resumed back to designing.
In a case where the test is impromptu, I usually have to let the client understand that I have to extend the deadline.
Are you aware of any creative community for designers in your school?
Yes, I am aware of Campace. It's a creative community and I joined them recently but I have not been opportune to be in any of their meetings. The other one is BizCamp but it's not totally an OAU thing, it is more of a worldwide thing while Campace is more of an OAU-based community.
How would you describe your experience with the communities?
As I said, I joined Campace recently but personally, I have been building a community for myself. My roommates are designers and I also have classmates that are designers. The communities are actually great for me.
On a scale of 1-10, How would you rate the community?
OAU is a great community for designers and I will rate it a 10 because a lot of the people I have met on campus are willing to share their knowledge and resources. Two great people I will love to mention are Felix Ayoola and Miide Kraft. They have been a great part of my growth.
What is your creative process? How do you go about a project from start to finish?
The first thing is to get a detailed brief because this is very important. After getting the brief, the next thing I do is carry out research on competitors in the market so as to know what I'm working with. I also try to understand the brand value(s), target audience, and what they intend to communicate. Afterward, I move on to researching similar logomarks which is followed by me coming up with my own idea inspired by the brief and research. This is then followed by the presentation. If the client is satisfied with the result I finalize and deliver but if not, I refine and iterate or start over.
In summary,
Get the brief> Understand the brief > Research > Ideate > Design > Present > Iterate or Finalize
What are some of the tools you use when designing? What are your must-use tools for a design project?
I use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and XD once in a while for interface design.
How would you describe the impact of Covid-19 on you and your journey as a designer?
The period was a great opportunity for me. If not for COVID I would almost be done or even done with school and still be wondering what I want to do with my life. It was a great opportunity for me to be at home without money or a steady allowance from my parents. It was hard for me to always ask my dad for money, which pushed me into design, let me just say, hunger actually pushed me into design and from then I've learned a lot. Not to be negative, but if it happens one more time I will be glad because I will have more time and opportunity to push myself further and learn.
As a student, I didn't read throughout the period.
Have you ever felt like quitting?
Yes, I felt like quitting in November 2020.
Ooooh, what happened?
I designed a business card for a brand in Australia, they did not ask me o, I don't know who sent me o. I sent the design to them on IG and their reply was, “This design is terrible, we do not need your service.” I felt really bad that I played PES on my laptop for one month without designing at all.
How did you get over it?
One day Miide Kraft posted his design on Twitter and I was like wow this guy is good and I messaged him. I told him how my journey has been and he shared his story with me and I got to know that people face challenges. Afterward, I picked my laptop, uninstalled PES, and reinstalled Adobe illustrator.
Since then, I have gotten a number of bad reviews (two or three of such) and in those moments I realized that it was because I didn't get a detailed brief or didn’t understand the brief and not because I am a terrible designer.
What is the proudest project you have worked on?
It's a personal project called Getfly because I explored a different way in my presentation and I loved it.
How do you stay creative? What do you do to keep the creative juice flowing?
I stay online always. I get inspiration on a lot of platforms and most of my roommates are designers.
What do you do for fun? How do you relax when you're not actively designing?
Outside of design, I don't have fun. The only thing I can call fun is to press my phone. I can't call listening to music and watching movies fun.
Who are the creatives that inspire you?
Ayoola Felix, Miide Kraft, Leye connect, and Chris Do.
Which creative would you love to work or collaborate with on a project?
Miide Kraft.
What brand(s) would you love to work with?
Risevest.
What advice do you have for someone looking to get started with design?
Design is not a day thing, if you're going into design because of money you will just get frustrated because you might not get it immediately. Keep learning, keep practicing, learn to engage yourself, and don't expect big money immediately you start.
Who would you like us to interview?
Ayoola Felix.
How can people reach you?
You can connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Behance or via Email
Thank you for sharing with us!!!
Takeaway Nugget: Keep learning, keep practicing, learn to engage yourself, and don't expect big money immediately you start.
Thank you for reading and don’t forget to share the story
See you next week!!!