Celebrating Black Creatives: Naomi Olowo
ELR: THE DESIGN LAB is proud to have our first guest for our “Celebrating Black Creatives” Series.
Join us as we interview black creatives from Africa and the Caribbean to find out how they get inspired from their rich culture to what advantages and disadvantages they face.
Meet Naomi Olowo Founder of Flawsome Media from Nigeria.
Tell ELR: THE DESIGN LAB Blog readers where you are from.
I’m from Nigeria.
Can you share some of your favourite local or regional influences that have inspired your graphic design ideas and style?
One local influence in my graphic design style is Junemontage Another influence which has inspired me greatly is Willybrainz both of them are on Instagram.
What educational paths did you pursue to become a graphic designer, and how did your education shape your career?
I’m passionate about empowering ladies in tech (I usually host free classes on graphic design) I’m also very passionate about books. I read a lot of books and I am passionate about bringing back reading as many youngsters tend to get sucked into the social media space.
What are you passionate about besides your work?
I didn’t receive any formal education as a graphic designer but I hope to pursue a bachelor’s degree very soon. I learnt graphic design from YouTube at first, then I started registering for free classes and masterclasses as my career began to pay me. To date, I’ve attended up to 30 design classes all of which have impacted my graphic design knowledge greatly.
In your experience, how diverse and inclusive is the graphic design industry where you live? Are there initiatives to promote diversity in the field?
I live in a mostly black community so I would say the industry here is inclusive. But diversity is something we struggle with here in Nigeria. Almost all graphic design work looks generic and the same. Trying to stand out from the crowd most of the time is very hard because most clients’ expectations have been tailored to the designs they are exposed to.
What would be your dream project?
A dream project for me would be to direct a campaign for a brand that is at the top of the fashion game like Fenty Beauty or Under Armor - a brand that means something and makes a difference
Are there any specific design trends or themes that you’ve noticed gaining popularity in the design scene recently?
I think Canva is becoming popular with designers. At first, it was frowned upon and you were not taken seriously as a designer if you used Canva but more and more designers have started to rely on Canva.
Are there any organisations or networking groups in your region that you recommend for creatives looking to connect, collaborate, or find job opportunities in the industry?
The Nigerian Association of Graphic Designers is the only networking group available in my region for now. Hope more pops out.
How has social media played a role in promoting your work as a graphic designer from the Caribbean or Africa? Any tips for leveraging these platforms effectively?
Social media has been vital to showcasing my work and having clients find me. One tip is to remain consistent no matter what happens.
What’s the best piece of advice you have heard and repeated to others?
Creativity is a product of powerful imagination, so if you can think about it, you can bring it to life.
Have you encountered any challenges related to equal pay or fair compensation as a graphic designer in your region? How do you navigate such issues?
A lot of challenges here regarding payment. What I do is to have a contract drawn, I don’t send samples till the client fulfils 60% payment and I always make sure I understand client expectations
What’s next and where can people check out you and your work?
I’m working on building a creative agency here in Nigeria and you can check my work @flawsome.sm
