My 365 Days in a Review
Hi, ready? Here are my 365 days in a review.
First I’d like to introduce myself.
I’m Gideon Alawode, a doer in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in computer engineer at the University of Benin. A massive tech-savvy, lover of quality sound, master builder, creative thinker and most especially a creative designer. Only a few dwell in this realms lol. I love getting my head busy with plans, creative thoughts, scenarios and what may or may not happen. I think too much — as some of my friends would say.
So what inspired me to write this review? Well, let’s say a friend — Mr. Valentino Ugbala. He wrote his review early this year.
He was inspired by Innocent Amadi’s tweet.
I read it and I got super fascinated by it. I could relate more to what the write up was for rather than its content.
PS: I’m not very much of a writer — I design instead.
I learned how to develop brands, design Logos, Letterheads, Company profile, Flyers designs, Poster and anything creative for print and digital media. Hence the title “Creative Designer” with over 5 years of experience (as I’ve been advised to add).
I hope to positively impact on persons around me (one pixel at a time). so very quickly if you see minor blunders in this write-up I hereby reserve the rights to be held liable for it.
My drive comes from the quote below.
I made that up though, but then it felt like a real quote while reading it. 😎 Anyways I hope you grasp what I’m trying to say. In essence, I have realized that I need to be the best version of myself since I’m the only me.
Okay so let’s dive in. I broke my 365 Days review in four bits. Starting from August 2018 till this moment.
First — August to October.
I was on an internship during this period (started at about July). Internship ought to span for 6 months thanks to ASUU, we got extra months. I interned at TQ Technology Resources (TechQuest). TechQuest aims at teaching a million kids to code through a STEM education by 2020.
Awesome period of my life. Awesome, yeah! I tutored over 75 awesome kids for summer in Electronics (Using Arduino), Robotics (Using EVE 3 Mind storm), 3D printing and Web development (HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap). I practically remembered all the names of the kids I thought during the period. I also engaged the kids in Drone flying with an excursion to Interwitch and more. Connecting with the kids was the best part. We had loads of fun while learning. I met with a couple of Intellectual Kelvin Umechukwu being the program manager at that time and a host of others. I can’t wipe the smile off my face when I had to defend my Internship in school when faced by the panel. I had this big grin on my face. Aced the 6 credit load internship for the semester. One major eye-opener after been in the 5 walls of the university (5th wall 👉🏻stress)
Second — September to November.
The whole summer program took about 3 months of my internship. I completed my internship in the heart of Lagos –Ikeja, popularly known as Computer Village at Gihon tech which spans into the next Quarter.
The rumors you must have heard about this place is not a rumor 🤣🤣🤣.
Gihon Tech provides hardware and software related solutions to laptop and mobile phone users as well as repairs. Interning here exposed me to what Nigerians termed the — hustling life. I scaled through because of my willingness and drive to learn. I learned, handled high-end computers, dealt with customers and ran errands. I practiced my electronics skills at these firms as well. Least I forget, I made my cash as well. Remember, I said I was a creative design? Okay, so while interning I had to rebrand the firm. (got paid for that as well)
As to creative designs — I had already started design since I left secondary school… Got my hands dirty on all design software I could find as regards design. I developed and got better over time. After going through my mini portfolio, the CEO immediately asked for a rebrand. I took the time to drop insightful brand strategies for the firm in the competitive market by using the available Google services (Google my business, Google map, Google keep and more) and a bit of Digital Marketing. It was a mind-blowing experience.
Third — December -February (ASUU).
I like! 🤸♀️
Before this period, I got a gig that required me to design an annual publication for NPDC, Benin as a proposal for a company that recruited me over a 30 minutes phone call. Super lit!🚀 All thanks to Aideyan Winifred a very good friend who interned there. She was my plug. I had to travel back to Benin ASAP 💨 Osiso (#igbo — quickly), all expenses paid! 🤸♀️
It was the shortest gig I pulled off in the shortest time with the smallest resources PLUS the fact that I had to pitch the design to the lead editor of the company. It all happened so fast. It was at this point I knew what design meant. I had to transition from being a student to being a worker in the firm I was recruited in for the pitch. The experience was crazy as I needed to explain my design. I had to zoom back to Lagos while staying in touch with the company I represented for the design proposal. Sadly, we lost. Our proposal was shoved into their archives due to the Mago-Mago in the Nigerian system (Prove that it’s obvious everywhere). The push and experience were worth it though.
Shortly after this period, I had another long session on the phone again 😌. No jokes. This time, I got into a team through Mr. Valentino Ugbala with the startup Cura Network. I worked remotely as the Brand Identity Developer for the firm. During this period, I had to prove my skills in User Experience and User Interface designs which I already learned on Udacity. Hence the title — Creative Design, UI/UX Designer and now “Brand Identity developer” as I developed the brand. I helped rebrand Cura Network a few months back.
Fast forward 💨>>>> I got some other interesting short term gigs during this period as a freelancer in designs. Got referred by coursemates, good friends and previous customers who are still loyal up to date.
GOD BLESS Y’ALL 🙏🤲🙌💪
Finally, February up to date.
I’d brush in quickly.
- I help build quality brands through design💪
- Discovered and built on me, personally (Still on the discovery path though)💆♂️
- Got into more teams (My leg is practically everywhere)
- Volunteer for more leadership post than ever before 🙌
- Made more connections than the last 365 days before this 365 Days IYKWIM🔗
- And some other this I can’t recollect while making this write up
- Got the largest credit alert in my entire life(I hope the record breaks itself before the year runs out — AMEN!)
- Found and felt Love 💕
I didn’t even add anything related to school in this last part😪 . Well anyways, I’d be a graduate in a few months. I promise to write an article about my experience as a student in a new article. My 5 years at the University of Benin — would be the title. Hands crossed.
What’s left?
Well, what do I aim to achieve as I begin the next 365 days of my life?
Heres the list (in no particular order).
- Be the very best version myself
- Improve my spirituality
- Do more creatively weird stuff
- Do more of social media
- Develop 2 habits and be consistent with them
- Improve my design thinking skills
- Improve my design thinking skills again (more like Version 2.0)
- Write 5 articles at least (sadly this is my first — on medium)
- Read 5 books(started one already. May God help me).
- Collaborate more with other designers.
- Become a front-end ninja designer 🤸♀️.
- Learn a new language (No choice yet).
- Do more Volunteering.
Thanks for reading.
To spice it up, 07 is the date, Today is my birthday😎😎
Do well to patronize my design and clap for this article.
To see me → linktr.ee/icugideon
