Story time: The Idea behind the Movement
Please introduce
yourself and tell us how you got the idea of the company
Hi, my name is Olamiposi Adameji. I am a B.Sc. Holder from
the Department of Microbiology of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife. I am majorly a graphic designer and in the process of being a UI/UX
Designer. I have also equipped myself with knowledge to run a business alone,
marketing, customer care and so on. I was forced to learn graphic designing in
2016 by my then mentor, Tolulope Ajayi. We had to stay in school during a
holiday with nothing to do, so that was his definition of being productive with
our holiday which I really appreciate. As time went on, I found interest in it
and the passion. I had always had interest in art – I used to draw, I think
that’s one of the reasons why I love cartoons till date. I loved good designs
too and I realized in my research that there were few designers as opposed to people
who sell shoes and bags. I wanted to do something different and unique. I
wanted to provide more worth than people’s money for them. I wanted to impact
knowledge as I went on too. So, I decided to go into Graphic designing full
time. And I loved the idea of being a lady, it was rare.
Why the name Light Designs
and not Posi Designs?
The name Light came
from James 1:17. We want to be a light to the graphic design world and at
large, we want to be pioneers, we want people to see how things can be done
differently. And we can’t do that without teaching.
So how did you start?
Well I mentioned earlier that I started learning in 2016, I didn’t
monetize until a year after which was September 2017. I started telling people
about it though I still had little knowledge. I started with my old version Toshiba
laptop then.
Challenges so far?
Uhmm…there has been a whole lot but we keep moving. A lot of
times when I still had little expertise, I would do jobs, and they won’t be
used. My first job was for my department, I was paid though they didn’t use it,
it was very painful, because the money was not the goal. There were times when
people feel that ‘shebi it’s just to design,’ that my charges as at that time
was too much…as if they can do it. There was a time when I had an encounter
with a PhD student in my department who refused to pay me after I delivered. He
said he was using it to encourage me, I was like what the…? He told me that a
colleague of mine who was into web development created a website for them for
free…so I also should be able to follow that kind of example and do the design
for free. Mind you we agreed on payment before I did the job o. A whole lot of
people like that. I have had issues with printers and finishers too, there is a
particular notepad that I had big issues with that caused a tie down of a large
sum of borrowed money. The persons to do the finishing did complete rubbish,
the book was not neat so people are not buying. It’s been in the market for
over a year that I have just forgotten it there. No idea of what to do with it.
Let me even say this, if you have an idea of what I can do, suggestions are
very welcome. I have had challenges with getting jobs too. You can imagine when
you reach out to 20 people and they all give you the same answers of they
already booked somewhere else. It can be very discouraging.
What have you learnt?
Well, one major thing that I have gotten to learn is that
challenges will always come and I have to decide what to make do of it. Graphic
design is my passion, so I have to hold on strongly to what I love doing despite
all odds. And when challenges push me one step backwards, I push two steps
forward against all odds.
It’s almost 3 years.
Why is Light Designs and Prints still a one-man company?
I have always had a wrong mindset as regard employment, all thanks
to a new friend Kehinde Odeyemi, the founder of Echo Digital that made me
realize some things. Let me tell you about the wrong mindset I had. I always
thought I can’t employ until I have an office space and I can’t have an office
space until I have done a lot of jobs that have brought in enough money to get
an office space and to pay the workers. Now see that kind of limitation that
was on my mind. But now I have realized that I don’t need an office space
before I employ and paying team members does not have to be from big money made
from jobs. And of course, I can’t build my brand alone. I need help of creative
minds. So now that that the limitation has been broken, we should be employing
very soon, say July.
Can you break down
what the company is doing at the moment?
I mentioned earlier that one of the things I had in mind
before starting out was to be a pioneer, a light shining to others. I can’t
shine light without teaching. So, we started a blog named Creatives’ Corner in
May 2020. We have had 7 posts so far and we will definitely have more.
Creatives’ Corner is majorly for creatives to learn and ask questions. I write
it and will still keep writing it even when the company is a very big one, my
sources of knowledge are books by creative writers, classes and webinars -I
enjoy writing.
We are also into Branding. I mean the creation of Logos, Websites,
brochures, ID Cards, Business cards, flyers and so on. Light designs and Prints
is the brand designer of two fast growing businesses and one ministry as we
speak, Dew Farm Foods who is into
chicken cultivation and processing, YouDefine
Tech who is majorly into Website
Development, and Poise and Priceless, a
ministry for children, teenage girls and young wives (We are even working on a
big children flashcards project for them at the moment)
Light Designs and Prints is also into creation of souvenirs
for events which include notepads, calendar, paper bags and mugs.
We also sell custom made notepads -Light Notepad – for students.
It’s available in OAU Bookshop as we speak.
We are also starting out fully with UI/UX designing, known
as Web designing very soon.
Remember we are a ONE STOP SHOP.
In partnership?
Yes, Light Designs and Prints is in partnership with YouDefine Tech. They are the website
development arm of Light Designs and Prints and we are the graphic, branding
and printing arm of YouDefine Tech. YouDefine Tech which is founded by Ogijo
Oluwatobi Omodara in September 2018 is based in Ibadan, Oyo State. Partnership
commenced fully in May 2020.
Where will Light
Designs and Prints be in 10 years?
The peak of Light Designs and Prints is teaching in every
possible way which include schools. In 10 years, our goal is to have been
established in all that we do now and also add more things which include, Brand
development, Social Media Account Management and full-fledged Website designing
(UI/UX). Then we are looking to carry the gospel of graphic designing and web development
to secondary schools and also to the company Design institute.
Wow! It’s been a
journey. Who are your role models and sources of motivation?
Yes, it has. I don’t really know big people in the design
world, looking to do though. But one person who has always been a role model to
me is a friend, his name is Adebayo Yomi, Founder of Yomrond Muiltimedia. I
know quite a lot of graphic designers, both good and great because I always
want to learn so I love meeting them. Each person has been a source of
motivation at one time or the other. I also know some business owners in the tech
world who are not even into graphics but they have all motivated me in one way
or the other.
Now to my major motivators, my parents since when I started
out, mum was always advocating for a new laptop for me then. She didn’t rest
until they got it. Dad lent me almost all he had to do a job at a time. Such
love and support. My sister, Mrs Oluwapelumi Boluwaji, founder of Poise and Priceless.
I can’t afford to complain to her that ‘I don’t have jobs for now’ because she
is always having an idea that will need a design. And my loving King-to-be, the
one I plan saying ‘I do’ to, Oluwadamilola Daodu, always pushing me to be a
better version of myself. These people in my life and many more have helped me
with God in them to get me to where I am right now, to not give up.
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!....this is such an amazing and inspiring
story. The Idea behind the Movement.
Do you still have questions you will want to ask? Why not
the floor is always open. You can drop it in the comments session. You want to
be anonymous? Why not send a mail to olamipoada2@gmail.com
now. I know you have gotten a new light about us now, I know you enjoyed
reading too. Light Designs is a force and you should watch out for her. Every day
will not be story time, but I can tell you that you will always learn something
new from each post. God help us.
See ya!!
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