Five Lessons
Creative Block → 042
Creative Block is a weekly newsletter that gives you a glimpse into my life, creativity, design, and music. It's like a little pick-me-up that you get delivered straight to your inbox each week.
I had the incredible honor of speaking at this year’s Adobe Create Now event, where I shared my journey as a designer, husband, father, and entrepreneur. The experience was filled with inspiring energy and endless creativity. For those of you who couldn’t be there, I wanted to offer a glimpse into my talk—centered around the theme of "Embracing Your Creative Journey."
The talk was deeply personal, as I reflected on my evolution as an artist, driven by my Nigerian heritage, my role as a father to Joziah (aka "Our Boss"), and the lessons learned along the way.
Here are the five key lessons that have shaped my journey, which I shared with the audience:
Just Start
Every creative process begins with a simple decision—to just start. Many people wait for the "perfect" moment, but I've learned that momentum is built through action. Taking that first step leads to unexpected opportunities and discoveries.
Photography be Jessica Taylor It’s Okay to Pivot & Explore
Your creative journey is going to be filled with different routes and roads. Early on, I realized that I wanted to merge photography and design. People told me I couldn’t do both. But I’ve learned how important it is to being open to change and allowing myself to explore new mediums and it has opened up new opportunities for me. Flexibility in your process is key. Right now I’m exploring 3D objects in my work.
Create the Work You Want to Be Hired For
I live by this mantra. If you want to attract certain clients or work on specific types of projects, start creating that work now. In 2016, I started a personal project, "A Poster A Day," which challenged me daily and set the tone for the kind of work I wanted to do professionally. Recently, I’ve started focusing more on other physical items. I was curious, what would my work look like on a jacket, scarf, pillowcase etc.
You can purchase some of these items in my shop. A few are sold out but some are still available. Understand that Your Journey Will Not Be Linear
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that there will be ups and downs. There will be times of incredible creativity and other moments when you face blocks. Embrace both, knowing that each phase contributes to your growth. You won’t believe how many No’s I got in my career, but I know that what is for me is for me and that gives me peace. I’ve had some clients that have told me theyve been watching me for years and just waiting for the right opportunity. Imagine if I quit designing cause I wasn’t getting enough “attention”.Find Out Your "Why"
. I’m doing everything I can to make sure we are a family that express creativity in everything that we do. Using our God given gifts to serve others and point back to the giver of these gifts. I just want to be a good steward of what God has given me.
Why do you do what you do? Understanding your purpose will carry you through the hardest days. For me, it's about creating meaningful work that reflects my culture and inspires others especially those that look like me. Staying connected to your "why" helps keep you grounded and motivated. In May, my beautiful wife brought Joziah into this world and It’s the best feeling in the world being a Creative Dad. Joziah is a new addition to my why and I’m so inspired by him and my Wife,
"I just want to be a good steward of what God has given me"
I love that line so much! That is definitely part of my " creative why" as well 🙂
One is it. My perfectionism will stand in the way of doing it, starting, putting it out there, but as the last line reminds me, I'm not being a good steward when I'm hiding/holding on to what He's given me to share.