I Have Always Wanted To Work With A Big Brand… Amazon Is A Starting Point

Working in an international setup is likely on your to-do list. For one, it proves your skills are globally recognized, boosts your confidence, and of course comes with better pay.

Today we bring you a designer from the NGD community who just skipped the local leader to the global one by landing a job at Amazon.

We have him here to reveal how he got it, and what you can do if you wish the same for yourself or even better. He also shares his weaknesses, entry into the design world, and a little something about design theft.

Get ready for an exciting read on Michael Adedeji

NGD Spotlight -Micheal Adedeji

1. What kickstarted your love for design and what fuels it now?

I got into design quite late, sometime around 2017/2018 with the basic computer knowledge I had during the Junior WAEC break around 2015/2016. I originally was supposed to pursue medicine as a course in school because I was especially bright and being a curious person was fascinated about animals (I still watch NatGeoWild), and rocks, and I love collecting animals in used cream jars, I applied for medicine twice but was offered biochemistry on both occasions instead, I was hooked on the idea of medicine so much I rejected both offers and decided to lean toward my love for design which I learned on my own, I have always wondered how the beautiful colors on my textbooks and the text on my notebook cover came to be and I knew I want to get to the bottom of that, a few years later when I could get a phone, a Techno Y2, I discovered graphics design while going through YouTube, with some of my earliest tutorial being from ‘Satori Graphics’ and ‘The Futur” and haven’t looked back since,

What has and will always fuel my love for design is my passion for it, I would tell anyone who cares enough to listen, that the most basic requirement to being a successful designer is passion, I would work on personal projects for months at a time when I was getting to no money from them, my projects are some of my best work currently.

2. How did you get into NGD?

I got into NGD on Feb 22, 2017, which also happens to be my birthday, A friend who is also a designer had recommended I follow NGD on Facebook to improve my skills and I obliged, NGD has had some influence on my design journey, from meeting some amazing people to getting some of my earliest gigs off of it

3. Your D and D New blood portfolio Award, what’s it all about?

D&AD (Design and Art Direction) formerly known as British Design and Art Direction, is a British educational organization that was created in 1962 to promote excellence in design and advertising. The New Blood Portfolio is one of D&AD awards that celebrate design and commercial excellence in creativity and emerging new talents all over the world, I was one of 150+ winners and one of 2 from Nigeria from over 1K applicants.

4. Do you participate in NGD competitions?

Yes, I used to

5. Your job at Amazon, how did you get it?

It was through an international community of designers.

6. Have you always wanted to work here, what can others do to work in their dream places?

I have always wanted to work with a big brand and Amazon is a starting point, I want to explore more brands. My advice to any creative is to create good work, quality over quantity.

7. A designer once stole your work, How did he do it and What’s your take on design theft?

He downloaded the project off of my Behance profile and reposted it on his portfolio as it is. Design theft is bad, there are no two ways to look at that

8. What are the 3 top challenges you believe upcoming designers battle with 

In no particular order; Color theory, How to get better effectively, and, Getting clients.

9. Do you have a design weakness?

Not really, but I hate being rushed when working on a project, I can come up with an idea on the spot but I tend to take the time to refine and perfect it.

10. What 3 words best define Micheal Adedeji?

Muse, 

Unconventional,

Calm

That’s it folks

That’s it folks. Enjoyed this read and want more like this? Head over to our spotlight section for exciting reads from designers just like you. Read, get inspired and stay motivated!