Tell us about yourself:
I proudly graduated from Howard University with a B.F.A in Graphic Design with a minor in Art History. I’ve devoted my professional career to the creative world. This passion has led me to employment with companies such as Pentagram (under Micheal Bierut and Eddie Opara), CNN, New York Fashion Week, and AT&T. In 2018, I went on to create my design consulting agency, Ojii Creative, along with one of my best friend from college, James June. Our agency has worked with clients such as Universal Music Group, Harvard Business School, The Roots, Mary J Blige, and many more. In 2021 I was recognized by the Indigo Design Awards for my digital art series entitled, ‘A Study In Black Female Afrofuturism’ in the category of ‘Design for Social Change.’ Currently, I am a Brand Identity Artist at Gensler, Creative Partner at Ojii Creative, and serve as Creative Director for Codehouse Corporation.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
My poster is a direct reflection of the way I see Africa. I see the mother continent as the thread that connects and inspires all things (the thread texture is a representation of that). Up top is a collage that combines fabric and African landscape. The fabric is varying and stacked, my representation of the various cultures that originated on the continent. On the bottom half of the composition, you see collaged representations of Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is where I was born and where my family immigrated to after leaving the island of Trinidad and Tobago. Although I have not had the pleasure of visiting the continent of Africa, in Brooklyn is where I saw some of the results of Africa’s contributions to the world…a melting pot of rich and beautiful Black cultures. The primary image on the bottom half is a picture of a section of Nostrand Ave, a street that marks my discovery of the diaspora that Africa gave birth to.
Why do you love being creative?
I absolutely love the connection and innovation that the creative world provides to the masses. As creatives we almost have an instant connection with others in the creative world and often start thinking of collaboration ideas immediately! I also 100% agree that different areas of creativity inspire other areas of creativity. For example, because I have a sound understanding of color theory, I love dabbling in culinary plating where I can use color theory to make a more visually appealing plate. Those opportunities for crossovers give me so much joy.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?
I believe it truly starts at the beginning of art education. Often times education clings to western cannon as the gold standard of art, when in reality a lot of those famous artists have drawn inspiration from the diaspora (A fact that is often left out of the narrative). Although I have reverence for the artists that make it to textbooks, I believe art education in general should encompass more masterpieces from a fully global lens. Black folks make art from every corner of the globe, our textbooks should reflect that!
