Take 5 with Brian Omolo

Brian Omolo is a Graphic Artist born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. He loves working with abstract ideas, breaking them down and putting them together to tell a story. His style is a mix of hand-drawn illustrations which he then scans and adds colour effects from computer. His work is usually inspired by personal experience, lessons or by a desire to do something outside the norm of graphic design.

1. What exactly does a graphic artist and illustrator do?

We create artwork for businesses to help them connect with their audience in a unique way. Sometimes that means creating illustrations for advertising, artworks for limited editions art prints and merchandise, logos and icons for brand identity and commissions for individual clients.

I also create artwork to sell in exhibitions and directly to my clients upon request.

2. Do you have to go to school to become a graphic artist? What are some of the software you were taught to work with, or work with currently, in your job?

No, you don't have to go to school to become an artist, but you need to find an environment(online or in real life) where you can learn and experiment to grow your talent. I was lucky enough to go to college and university to study what I'm practising today. I was taught how to think creatively and was exposed to the industry which got me inspired and excited about the possibilities and opportunities for an artist. As for software; I love to use Adobe Illustrator and occasionally Photoshop to do my artwork. I was introduced to them in college but later had to teach myself through online tutorials because some of the ideas I had were far-fetched and required a better execution. I feel like that's the case for most digital artists. We're always online trying to learn the latest trick to help with our work

3. What are some of your favourite projects, that you've worked on or are working on at the moment? And tell us about your studio, which also counts as a project.

 One of my favourite projects was an artwork series I did for Coke- I can’t discuss the details yet because of non-disclosure agreement but it was an awesome experience! I also did a project with Goethe Institut where I travelled to Germany and worked with high-schoolers from all over Africa. It was a fun and busy week.

Though I have a special love for the self-initiated projects that I have done for exhibitions, particularly the artwork I did for ‘Typeface and Heroes’ my second solo exhibition and the artwork I did for ‘Value’, a group exhibition I was involved in with other designers and illustrators stands out.

These self-initiated projects give you the freedom to experiment and come up with new styles and ideas that sometimes your clients wouldn't give you the freedom to do. They also attract other interesting opportunities and projects.

As for my studio; I have space that I work from at home but sometimes I feel like my studio is my laptop because with it I work from different spaces as well. At the moment my studio is just me; working on my projects for various clients that I market to online using social media, I also have a network of people that I collaborate with when the opportunity comes up. I've been fortunate that my work seems to attract more referrals so I always have something to do.

4. Where do you teach? How did you make the switch from artist to lecturer? Is it difficult to do both at the same time? And what do graphic design students need to learn most as they're going into this field?

 I teach at Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI), in their campus along Kenyatta Avenue. I always wanted to work with young people but when I approached the universities none of them would hire me because I didn't have a Masters degree, so I put that dream on hold.

Then back in 2016 my friend called me and said ADMI was urgently looking for a design lecturer, I applied and got the job. I started out doing a couple of evening classes, then later with the support of the principal and design lecturers; I came up with new classes and curriculum based on my own experience.

It can be challenging balancing both but with good time management you get used to it. I love existing in both worlds, they both feed each other in a special way.

The thing I would want to tell students who want to do this is always desire to learn, grow and most of all be authentic, experiment to find your own personal style and way of expressing your visual ideas. People want to see your personal take on things, so tell your own stories in your own way.

5. Who are some of your favourite artists and graphic designers, and illustrators, in Kenya?

They are many! Osborne Macharia and his team, Musa Omusi, amazing illustrator, graphic artist and fashion designer, Jacque Njeri, super creative digital artist Ed Wainaina; I also love the work of illustrators and character designers like Salim Busuru (@salimbusuru), Shadrack Munene, Jeffrey Odhiambo (@jcreativemynds) and Nyambura.

raaKariuki (@nash_oh_my). There is a lot of inspiration out there in our field.