Hello David, thank you for joining us on Talking With The Pros. Can you let us know where your from and how you got started in the industry?
“Well, Thank you also. David Osagie is from Nigeria, Africa. It’s amazing how much beauty our little world illuminates. I had admired pencil etching back then in secondary school, i never understood the depth of light and shade,so it was fascinating to see what an ordinary pencil lead could do.That ignited my quest to know more,and i dug into a few art books and made every ‘pencil’ opportunity count.Somehow,I happened to grow into a good sketch artist,But that wasn’t the peak for me, i knew there was a lot more i needed to create,I was limited! My turnaround came when I found a desktop with Photoshop 5 installed,that software opened me into a light of possibilities that knew no limits, and that was how I extended my sketch pad into the digital art world. And really its been the best times of my life.”
Can you please give us a brief overview of the process you take when working on a new project?
New projects most times have different takes depending on the client. While the large projects would demand tighter deadlines and usually less technicality, the smaller projects would on the other hand would give you much more freedom.But basic process involves, an intial breif from the client,then a few quiet times on my sketch pad doing notes, concepts and seeking inspiration from other designers’ portfolios.I know I’m on track when I’m able to key my work with the clients ideas.I work with Indesign and Photoshop more of the time and a little back and forth, here and there,usually lands both parties at good conclusions.We wont rule out on bad inspiration days, but a good designer should always be able to know where his/her creative spark evolves, and be able to key into it when it matters.
Which one of your projects would you say is your favorite so far and why?
I am yet to see a really fulfilling project yet. Like I said earlier, I enjoy smaller projects cause I totally have that freedom to express, but these definitely are not very fulfilling as income here is usually low compared to the work produced.While on the larger projects side,the checks are fatter, but restrictions can really be quite terrible especially when you work with creative directors who share one-sided opinions. I just think I haven’t found that balance yet. But working as creative director for TheStreetHawker magazine till date has been my most fulfilling project. The craze of the cover pages was totally ‘me’.
How is the design community in Nigeria? Do you find culture plays a role in the design trends?
Nigeria has grown really. People do think that Africa maybe is ‘lost’ in that sense of digital art.But definitely capital ‘No’. Digital artists have risen much more to my greatest surprise, and amazing work is emerging daily.I dare to say Daniel Emeka, James Abinibi, Niyi Okeowo, Tola Alabi, Opabisi Oluwaseun and more I can’t say, are a small fraction of the many digital artists Nigeria is having coming up strong. Though Nigeria’s culture is diverse, but I think we are the most happy collection of people on earth. Traditional art mediums like etching,wood carving,painting,sculpting are still the more popular form of art here; But I foretell Nigeria in 3 years,breeding new converts i.e Traditional artists crossing over to the digital, and I know its only a matter of time.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
5 years! Making more impact, Changing the world, definitely, a new style for my work, Starting a digital art institute, a good woman, a kid, bigger clients, 2 music albums. Basically moving on and coming strong!
What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned since you started designing?
Don’t compromise your quality. Always give spaces for gaps. You sure would have issues with clients once in a while for missing deadlines and being forward, but never let a client complain of your work quality. Usually your ‘product’ is what gets appreciated by the world in the end, the methodology would most times be a secret between you and the client, and that, you can work on, no one is perfect. Always make your clients hungry for more of your ‘good work’ and not make you a ‘pity object’ because you had a good attitude on your last project.
When you are in need of some inspiration where do you go?
www.behance.net
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, any final words for our readers?
Stick to your secret place. That’s where your true inspiration comes from.
To see more of David Osagie’s work check out his website at www.davidosagie.com