There is power in typography and image, and if the world has become more global because of digital media, design made it so. But how equitable is the algorithm of the power dynamics that unite the world if its’ artificial intelligence is programmed solely by the other? The acceptance of Eurocentric perspective as the conventional narrative in digital media, pedagogy, and practice places design under a microscopic view. This reality burdens Black, Indigenous, People of color with the “emotional assignment” of justifying their points of view to the privileged few. However, elements and principles of design run through all cultures in the world.
Like how the Akan Adinkra symbol “Sankofa” expresses the way forward as visitation to the past, the future of design is a re-imagination of the past for a more inclusive tomorrow. Yes, historically, design modernism is simple, clean, and less ambiguous. However, if the design quest is to strive for simplicity and clarity, we should question what we are excluding and why we are doing so. As we continue to sideline the questioning, we have accepted design modernism as universality in design instead of it as a western pretense for an inclusive design thinking.
Again, by critiquing our critiques, we should understand designers as bodies in space with self-reflections, instead of straightforward “robotic-creatives” This understanding will lead to the question “who is left out?” The answer to the question “who is left out?” is the rejection of the false binary of superior and inferior cultures. Cultures that make the earth beautiful and diverse. By having more BIPOC in design agencies, creative problem-solving perspectives will increase. And if this multitude of perspectives coexists equally in design dialogue, research, and programming, the future of design will be culturally responsive instead of the everyday “grid system”
Is Graphic Design still a Western European something?
Education
Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Ohio University, 2022
Thesis: Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Design, (Multimedia) KNUST, 2016
Thesis: Managing Access to Students' Residential Facilities
Certifications
UX Certification, University of California, Berkeley, 2024
UX, UI Certification, School of UX Design, London, 2022
Visual Arts Management, Ohio University, 2021
Professional Experience
Marketing Communications Specialist
Varian Medical Systems | Palo Alto, CA
• Provides visual design support to various business units.
• Directs and produces leadership communication videos for internal and external audiences.
• UX Designer and content manager for the Radiation Oncology Business Area intranet.
Communication Designer
Cohear | Cincinnati, OH January 2021– January 2022
• Created visual content for social media and email ads.
• Designed research reports for Cohear, working with both state and private institutions.
• Conducted design research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in African American communities, leading to a 236% increase in vaccination rates in Columbus, Ohio.
• Conducted design research for the Black Homeownership project in Columbus, Ohio.
Graphic Communications Designer
Ohio University | Athens, OH January 2020 – April 2022
• Collaborated with marketing, PR, and the Social Media team to produce creative assets for print and digital media.
• Designed branded souvenirs to support the School of Music’s Alumni fundraising campaigns.
• Revamped postcards to meet the new Ohio University’s brand guidelines for recruitment purposes.
• Participated in a weekly brainstorming session to design and implement recruiting and retention strategies for the School of Art + Design.
Graphic Design Fellowship
Adleta Galleries Ltd | Athens, OH September 2019 – May 2021
• Designed the book titled Drawing the Feminine and Masculine Form: Studies Interpreting the Human Form by Don Adleta.
• Designed the Focus Visual Translation book to revolutionize graphic design education in higher learning and design agencies.
• Curated, photographed, and coded over 4000 artworks to synchronize with a digital database.
• Designed a book titled "Drawing the Feminine and Masculine Form: Studies Interpreting the Human Form" by Don Adleta.
Assistant Visual Design Instructor
Real Skill Academy | KNUST, GH January 2018– August 2019
• Assisted in organizing weekend Graphic Design and 3D Modeling Classes.
• Guided design students in examining meaning through visual elements like typography, image generation, and manipulations.
• Assisted students in mastering the fundamentals of DSLR cameras for photography and video production.
Visual Multimedia Designer
Seventh Street Media | Accra, GH January 2015 – December 2017
• Edited behind-the-scenes music videos
• Collaborated with colleagues to manage light, cameras, and prop rentals for video production
• Collaborated with the creative team to design motion graphics, lower thirds, backdrops, posters, and movie covers
Graphic Design Intern
Active | Kumasi, GH June 2013– December 2013
• Worked with senior designers and other team members on design projects, assets, and deadlines.
• Researched design trends and best practices.
• Assisted in designing marketing plans and design concepts for events, campaigns, and promotions.
• Prepared files for print production.
Skills
Research
Contextual Inquiry, Competitive Analysis, Persona, Journey Mapping, Responsive Design
Collaboration
Design Critique, Prototyping, Flow Analysis, Detail-Orientation, Communicative, Strategy and Vision Presentation
Design
Style Guide, Storyboard, Information Design/Architecture, Gestalt Principles, Visual Design, Motion Design
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, Figma, XD, Webflow, Powerpoint, Balsamiq, Miro, Maze
Honors and Awards
Student Enhancement Grant, $6000 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2022
The Billman Award, $2500 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2021,
Adobe EDU Design Achievement Award | California, 2019
Verified International Academic Qualifications, WES | New York, 2019
Graduate Recruitment Scholarship | Ohio University, 2019
Solo Exhibitions
Identimatics, Porter Hall, Pittsburg State University, Kansas, 2024
Global Arts Festival, Alden Library, Ohio University, Ohio, 2022
Identimatics, Ohio University Art Gallery, Ohio, 2022
Group Exhibitions
Storytime, Majestic Galleries, Nelsonville, Ohio, 2023
Legacy: Don Adleta and Karen Nulf, 60 years of Graphic Design, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, 2021
Silver Lining, The Ohio University Art Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Precipice, Trisolini Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2019
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2020
Publications
Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns, Lulu Press, 2022
Studies Interpreting the Feminine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Studies Interpreting the Masculine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Managing Access to Students Residential Facilities, KNUST Press, 2016
Research Assistantships
Assistant Design Researcher: Focus Visual Translation and Seeing Harmony, Don Adleta and Tricia Hennessey, Ohio University Press, 2024
Lead Design Researcher: Black Home Ownership in Columbus: Opportunities for Wealth Creation, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: Leading Change: The Cincinnati Art Museum as a Catalyst for Reconciliation and Inclusion, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Racial Equity and Economic Mobility, Cohear, 2021
Lead Design Researcher: 15 Years of Achievements: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Osei Akoto, 2015
Volunteer
Media Lead, Nsesa Foundation, Suacode.ai Kumasi, Ghana, 2021
Graphic Designer, Ohio University, Center for International Studies, Ohio, 2020
Curatorial Team, As Not For: Dethroning Our Absolutes, Ohio University Art Galleries, 2020
Multimedia Content Producer, CoolxDad - Texas, 2021
Graphic Designer, Mother of Mothers, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, Ghana, 2015