My Graphic Design Story

I do not like talking about myself that much. I guess am in the 1% of the population who prefer to let their work do the talking, not because I believe am perfect but rather you have the chance to see if my work is or isn't in the qualities you are looking for in your brand. Let me tell you the story of these two billboard images taken approximately 2 years ago and how they gave me the motivation to keep on keeping on.

In October 2016 a friend of mine connects me to a Digital Marketing job in "DOWNTOWN" Kirinyaga Road ( I bet he doesn't know he is the one who made me get into the creative industry. ) a client of his is looking to get a professional who can help get her Printing and Branding business presence noticeable on the Digital platform. Well, I send my resume and end up getting the job, without that much experience and educational background I make it an effort to learn along the way, do some online courses and make sure I deliver as she would want. Being in the same office with graphic designers was a blessing in disguise, I start falling in love with what they are doing on their computers... sitting down with clients, creating posters, logos, and business cards, and oooooh the feelings on both the designers and clients faces once the final printed job came out is timeless. During the 6 months I worked at this company, I made sure I did my Digital Marketing job, learned Digital Marketing skills on online courses, and finally got the basics skills of Graphic Design in creating simple texts and shapes. Here is where I first came into contact with the Adobe Suite and Adobe Illustrator and learned that it is what most corporates look for when hiring. - Am yet to be convinced how some designers find Corel Draw better than Adobe Illustrator since the end products of the latter can be used in almost any other platform, but well everyone is allowed to choose their "poison".

After 6 months I QUIT, yes I did because my duties had been increased to sales and digital marketing and now on a commission salary this seemed as being taken advantage of and being underpaid.

15 days later in April 2017, I get a call from a Church friend. She is a manager in a Cyber Cafe and Photo Studio in "MIDTOWN" Nairobi - Ngong Road and wants me to fill the position of Photographer and Graphic Designer as soon as possible. I don't hesitate, well because she is a friend and I see it as an opportunity to learn. Since I still do not have enough papers, my friend pitches in for me and I am put on 3-month probation. I park my bags with my mere 6 months of experience in Graphic Design and Basic Phone Photography Skills and set up for my new desk. To this day I still think my friend mostly believed in me because of the photographs I took in our church activities with my phone, not because they were that professional but they were good quality.

On the first day on the job, a client comes in and wants a logo and business card design accompanied by 100 printed cards. Mind you this is a cybercafé so such services should be offered by default, I take up the job and end up delivering not-so-good work ( this is according to me ) but the client loves it.

This was my turning point and the beginning of sleepless nights, I just wanted to put in more hours in learning online and watching endless YouTube materials/tutorials. ( for those who have asked before, online courses were my only option since I had a young family and I needed to be at work during the day. So there was no time for physical classes and I don't regret any bit of it. )

Months later I became well-versed in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Lightroom. For sure practice makes perfect and being the only person in the studio room with the constant daily interactions from Tuesday through Sunday with clients from different nationalities and regions gave me the right exposure I needed to learn and perfect the skills.

I salute everyone who works in a shopping mall by the way, the constant walk-ins can be quite tiresome at some point and we all know those rude clients and sometimes drunk that pour out their frustrations on you. Its not an easy task but it ends up building your character.

In October 2018, 1 year 8 months later the cybercafé closed its doors, I left the place a changed person with tangible work to show and I felt confident enough to start a franchise of my own. I rebranded and registered an online Digital Agency ( Jewel Films ) that deals with Pro - Graphic Design, Photography, Digital Marketing and Consultation. Feel free to search for it on Google - we are Verified.

And oooh by the way, while at the cybercafé I graduated with a Diploma Certificate in Photography and another one in Graphic Design & Illustrator.

I start looking for clients now to work with under my newly registered business. In the meantime am still applying for jobs, this time specific and looking for a Graphic Designer and Photographer job. Two months later I get a call in January 2019 to go for an interview since my portfolio stands out among the many. Am excited, I reach the company on the day of the interview about 20 minutes late ( well I was unwell but they never asked me why I was late and I just deeply apologized. I did not think to prior call and ask the HR to postponed the interview since I thought I would loose this opportunity. ) the HR welcomes me, am given a seat in the waiting area and a glass of water and asked to wait for the Directors.

Have never told anyone this but I was intimidated just by the reception area and how professional this guys looked and the fact that I was late, butterflies slowly crept in my stomach and I got cold feet. I was sweating all through the interview (that's a story for another day). I only remember the words of one interviewer ( who I actually never recognized until the day I got the job and was told I would report to her, a famous radio presenter who deserves a mention for molding me " Olivia Otieno " ), she said she liked the designs on my Instagram page for the new startup I had, and yes I was honest enough to tell them about my startup and what I had been doing. Funny that's all I remember from the day of the interview, the HR escorted me out and said I would be called in for a second interview which was more of a presentation.

The HR did call me but not for the interview, I was to start my new position on the 1st day of February 2019. I guess they loved my work and were willing to give me a chance to showcase my skills.

I started work on the said day, now this was a totally new experience. Working in the corporate world where everyone had their own office space, tight delivery times and working late nights. The work load was so much that in the first six months of my probation I never took any off day/leave. The company had 3 running brands and were in the process of opening 2 more all in the hospitality field. This meant new menu designs, new food images, constant party night photography and daily posters to be used on social media for all the 5 brands.

We come to the two images on this post, the company is now doing a massive marketing plan to get the brand out there and get more footfall. I am asked to come up with a concept design for a billboard. I complete the design and send the files to the Director, there is of course some changes and adjustments which I amend. 3 days later am told the billboards are up, I make sure I visit the spot over lunch hour to at least take a photo ( this is what us creatives use as a proof of work on our portfolios. ) and am totally amazed by the sight of it. As usual I feel like I should have done even better, don't get me wrong I have done quite a number of designs so far for newspaper adverts and magazines but to see this on a bigger scale means

seeing much more details on the design and gives me motivation to work hard and see more of my work out there.

Well I adjusted well to my job, knew how to plan and manage my work became a Senior Graphic Designer and Photographer and it became all work and a little bit of good vibes. I slowly start getting to know more about shooting videos since in the hospitality space you have to be creative as a brand both in still photos and short videos. I start shooting short videos with the company provided camera end edit it with my phone, the videos though not that professional as intended starts to get some feedback and you know this is a good motivation to keep on. I make an effort to get an hold of Adobe Premier Pro and dissect it thoroughly to learn all the details on videography and editing.

Exactly 1 year and 8 months later, COVID-19 has already hit all of us hard. Everyone is struggling, companies are cutting down on numbers and others even closing. The working terms become a bit unbearable and I decide to send in my resignation on August 2020, we all know everyone needs good mental health to actively be there for their family.

I never left the company in bad faith and terms and so we continue to work together on different projects and assignments maintaining the professionalism that is needed.

Well we are almost coming to the end of 2021, that has been an year for me being my own boss and most importantly working on something that I love. It has not been an easy ride down that road but it has totally been worth it especially being there for my family and that means more time for the kids.

Towards the end of my time at the previous company, I started shooting videos. This is my new found skill that I intend to perfect and monetize. To help me do this I recently started a business show on YouTube.

" My Startup Talk" a show for the modern-day entrepreneur featuring candid talks with some of the most talented, fun and influential people in the startup community. Here is a short link to the channel: https://bit.ly/mystartuptalk

I have now become a Professional Graphic Designer, Photographer and upcoming Videographer and I consult for my company ( Jewel Films ) who do all the above plus Digital Management and more. I find it good to offer all the above as one package to a company since it becomes easier to understand what a client needs and deliver on time without any back and forth. Having worked in all the stages from design work to pre and post production despite how short the time frame may seem I find myself ready for any tasks ahead.

Feel free to search for Jewel Films and also engage me on My Startup Talk, I wouldn't mind doing an interview show for you as we look to get sponsors and partners along the way.

This was a long read ( am unable to stand on camera and I love being behind the scenes so this was the only way I was going to put out my story out there ) but definitely worth it to inspire you who is contemplating starting a business on something you love. Just start and everything will fall into place, work hard and make sure you learn something new along the way. It has been a fun one for me so far and we continue on.

My favorite message to everyone out there:

" I've applied for an assignment for which I appear to

be unqualified for - on paper.

In practice, however, I crush it. Hard.

If they see beyond the papers, it's their win.

If not, I remain fully aware of my value."

Email or Call Me: 0717045029 | [email protected]