How I turned digital design to my career — Tobi Akinloye

Tobi Akinloye is a creative designer who has built his skills around brand identity, illustrations and 3D designs. He is a graduate of Human Resource Management from the University of Lagos who opted to chase his passion in digital design. In this interview, he talks about his art, switching careers, and more. Excerpts: How did […]

Tobi Akinloye is a creative designer who has built his skills around brand identity, illustrations and 3D designs.

He is a graduate of Human Resource Management from the University of Lagos who opted to chase his passion in digital design. In this interview, he talks about his art, switching careers, and more. Excerpts:

How did your journey into digital design begin?

I decided to go into digital illustrations five years ago because I am not good at illustrating on paper or with traditional materials on canvas. My journey started when I saw people create designs online. I was convinced that digital design was what I wanted to do. So far, I have been enrolling for courses, buying materials and practicing to improve myself. I almost do not go a day without doing something that is graphic related on my laptop.

Which of your projects do you find most fulfilling and what software do you use?

It is difficult to pick my most fulfilling project because I put in the same effort in all my work. However, I am most proud of the one I did two weeks ago. It is my most recent and the most advanced. It is a blue figure with gold rods on the head, a golden lip and eyes. The top three software I use are adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator for mostly brand identity, flyers or poster design. I use Cinema 4D software for my 3D designs.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration mostly from Pinterest and Instagram. I do not search for ideas on Pinterest and Instagram to co-opt into my own ideas. I believe when I scroll through design concepts, I subconsciously take in a lot. For example, I can ponder about an idea within a week and after a while, I sit and visualize my own concept before I begin to design.

In what ways has your profession helped you and also influence the society?

Despite not starting digital design as my primary profession, but as a form of expression, it has become my career. Today, I work as a full-time designer who designs, brands businesses, and creates ads.

My art can influence the society in many ways. For example, during the activities of the black lives matter movement I created a 3D design. I believe designers are one of those people on the forefront of awareness creations because you need a designer to bring ideas to life in a graphical or pictorial representation. My designs bring more colour to the society and make abstract pieces relatable.

Whose work has influenced you the most?

Over two hundred people have influenced my work, however, the top three on my list are Chris Do, Beeple and Satorigraphics. They have helped me develop as a digital designer.

How do you create value for your designs?

Although it has never really been about the money, I have had people reach out to me to create illustrations for posters. I design brands, make logos, tell my clients what brand strategy to use, colours, profiles, and others. I carry out research, check on their competitors and tell them the best ways to have an edge. After rendering such services, I get paid. The value I create for my art is dependent on who wants the design, what kind of service is required, and when my clients want it delivered.

Were there times you felt like giving up? What helped you pull through?

At the beginning of my career, I tried to look for a job. I applied for at least sixty jobs and went for about twenty interviews. Interestingly I wasn’t chosen for any of them. I encouraged myself with the thought that, since I was scheduled for an interview, that means they must have seen something in me. Not getting jobs motivated me to be more creative rather than give up. People should not feel bad when they do not get the chance to work with some organizations. Let it motivate them rather than weigh them down. In the Nigerian society, you can be sure hundreds or thousands are applying for the same job. Look inwards, discover and harness your potential.

If you were to advise your younger self on design, what will that be?

The advice will be never to go to University of Lagos to study Human Resource Management, instead, go to a designing school. Because in the next few years, I see myself in a designing school, learning more about graphic design. I still really have a lot to learn.