Hope by Abby Shobajo

Day 5 — Poster posted on February 4, 2023

Abby Shobajo

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Located: Providence, RI

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a first-generation Nigerian-American designer and strategist. I credit my identity for my interest in branding. My past work experiences include Joe Smith Brand Strategy, Arnold Worldwide, and my alma-mater Suffolk University where she received her BFA in Graphic Design. I’m currently a designer at Boathouse. Following undergrad, I earned my MPS in Branding from the School of Visual Arts.

What is the inspiration behind your poster design?

The inspiration behind my poster design is a common symbol for hope – prayer hands. The gesture can be seen in religious spaces, tattoos, album covers, and rap and hip-hop photo shoots.

Why do you love being creative?

I love being creative because it allows me to learn about new topics and practice different skillsets. Being creative gives me joy by being able to actualize ideas and concepts.

Tell us about your experiences in the design world…

My Black experience in the design world hasn’t always been the easiest dealing with things like a lack of representation in the design industry or imposter syndrome. While challenging, those experiences have also served as inspiration to continue to learn from Black design history and embrace the future.

How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?

There are many ways to create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented. One of the ways to ensure this is outreach at early education levels to create awareness of the industry.

In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?

We can continue to create more equity for Black designers by learning from those within our community with varying identities and having open conversations about our experiences within the industry.

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