Something exciting is on the way.
This November, NGD and Lagos Meet are coming together to create something special for the creative community.
It’s more than an event. It’s about us, the people, the conversations, the energy we share when we come together.
We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on.
Stay close, stay ready, and get ready.
Follow both NGD and Lagos Meets, tag a creative friend, and watch this space. The journey starts now.
#DraftedConference #NGDxLagosMeet #CreativeCommunity #NGD2025
For the rest of the year, we will be showcasing projects from talented Nigerian creators, from art and industrial design to software development projects. What we really want to show is how Nigerian creatives contribute to both local and international projects.
Nigeria is a creative hub, known for its musical geniuses and famous artists. Home to exceptional and amazing talents in the world, and we desire to make it easy for people to find these projects in one place. Our features will let everyone see how these projects were made and learn about the creators and their teams.
We are presenting Nigerian creative projects to help creators learn from and inspire each other. Seeing the work done by a colleague in any creative field will spark new ideas and open the door to collaboration. We strongly believe that by bringing together creators with different skills, the overall quality of Nigerian creative work will get even better.
We will do this by interviewing creators and spotlighting really cool projects and collaborations. Feel free to reach out if you have a project you think we should showcase.
#LagosMeet #NigerianCreatives #CreativeHub #Art #Design #Inspiration #Collaboration
Do you ever feel like sleeping too much is “wasting time”? 🫣
It’s a common mindset in creative culture—but not a helpful one. Sleep actually plays a huge role in how you think, create, and solve problems. Sometimes the clarity you’re looking for doesn’t come from working harder… but from resting better.
Visit our substack to read the article
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I Get Gist For You is hiring a short-form video editor 🎬
If you’re skilled in TikTok/IG Reels editing, strong hooks, captions, and storytelling that keeps people watching, this could be your next big opportunity in a fast-growing digital media space.
Kindly share to reach a wider audience.
Joel Adu is an experienced commercial photographer and advertising consultant who has spent over five years mastering the art of food photography. His work stands out for making Nigerian cuisine look like a luxurious, world-class experience. Although he works with big-name clients like Maggi, Dangote, and Lancôme Paris, his real talent shines through when he captures local dishes with a sense of pride and authenticity. Whether he’s traveling across Nigeria to document the journey of food from farm to table or working in his studio, Joel uses his technical expertise to transform a simple plate of food into a stunning visual masterpiece that highlights light, texture, and the cultural richness known all too well with Nigerian Cuisine.
Joel expertly captures the shiny, mouth-watering textures of grilled meats, the rich steam rising from traditional soups, and the vibrant colors of perfectly seasoned rice. By placing these dishes in natural, earthy settings, Joel ensures his photos feel genuine and relatable, steering clear of anything artificial or staged. Every image is a careful study in detail—whether it’s the fine grains of a spice rub or the delicate droplets of condensation on a bowl—bringing out the true feeling of a homemade meal.
What sets Joel apart is his background not just as a photographer but also as an enthusiastic cook. This insider’s view gives him a special ability to see each dish as an elegant combination of ingredients, like a symphony that tells a story of skill, tradition, and community. His deep understanding of cooking allows him to capture the heart and soul—the “grit and pulse”—of Nigerian food culture. Through his lens, everyday local meals are elevated to a level of sophistication and beauty that demands attention.
Joel shows that with the right vision and technical skill, even the most familiar dishes can be transformed into powerful cultural symbols that celebrate heritage and connect people through the universal language of food.
Follow @joeladu_ on Instagram and read more stories on our website /
RECOMMENDED PODCAST EP 🎧
In this episode of Making Sense with Sam Harris, Oliver Burkeman challenges the modern obsession with productivity, optimization, and endless efficiency. Rather than offering another system for squeezing more tasks into the day, Burkeman argues that many people suffer because they refuse to fully accept their limitations — especially the reality that time is finite and no one will ever “get everything done.” The conversation reframes time management not as mastering time, but as learning how to live meaningfully within unavoidable constraints.
A key insight from the discussion is that modern productivity culture often creates anxiety instead of freedom. Many people approach life as an endless backlog of responsibilities, constantly trying to reach a future moment where everything is finally under control. Burkeman explains that this mindset keeps people trapped in permanent dissatisfaction because the work is never truly finished. Instead of chasing total efficiency, he encourages listeners to accept incompleteness as a normal part of being human and to focus more intentionally on what genuinely matters.
The episode also explores how the fear of missing out shapes modern life. Every decision to focus on one thing automatically means sacrificing countless other possibilities, and Burkeman argues that avoiding this reality often leads people to spread themselves too thin across work, relationships, ambitions, and digital distractions. By accepting trade-offs instead of resisting them, people can become more present, more deliberate, and less overwhelmed by the pressure to maximize every moment of their lives.
Listen: /episode/3FnxAIhYA7pKHvRhhwMT1p?si=126cc7d5674b45d8
Caleb Awodesu works as a designer, illustrator, and animator. Caleb’s portfolio showcases his wide range of skills, from motion design projects to developing brand visuals. Caleb brings a valuable technical skill set that includes character animation and art direction, all focused on producing high-quality visuals. One standout piece in Caleb’s body of work is his speed painting for the series “The Fall of House Wite.” This project highlights his talent for visual storytelling by capturing the deep bond between two siblings, Lady Laurel and Ser Larian, along with their heavy family history.
The poster serves as a cinematic introduction to a fictional world where these siblings must defend their home while uncovering the mystery behind an ancient sword. Caleb masterfully combines the rough reality of a desperate fight with the enchanting elements of a richly imagined story. Through this blend, he conveys the intense emotions of a family torn apart by its own past, especially through the menacing presence of the villain, Lord Hytham. This work demonstrates Caleb’s ability to go beyond traditional design and animation, diving into detailed world-building that feels immersive, believable, and emotionally engaging.
Follow @calebtheecreative on Instagram and read more stories on our website /
RECOMMENDED PODCAST EP🎧
This podcast episode focuses on one of the most frustrating realities for job seekers and scholarship applicants: being qualified on paper but still struggling to secure interviews or opportunities. Featuring insights from Emmanuel Faith, the conversation breaks down the common mistakes candidates make during applications, especially in how they present their experiences, structure their CVs, and communicate their value. Rather than treating applications as a numbers game, the episode emphasizes the importance of clarity, relevance, and intentional positioning.
A major insight from the discussion is that many applicants underestimate how quickly recruiters assess applications. Strong qualifications alone are often not enough if a CV feels generic, disorganized, or disconnected from the specific role or opportunity being pursued. Emmanuel explains that applicants frequently make the mistake of listing responsibilities instead of demonstrating impact, making it difficult for recruiters to clearly understand what they contributed, solved, or achieved in previous roles.
The episode also explores the importance of tailoring applications instead of using the same approach for every opportunity. Whether applying for jobs, grants, fellowships, or scholarships, successful candidates usually align their applications closely with the expectations of the organization or institution. This includes using relevant language, highlighting the most important experiences first, and presenting achievements in a way that immediately communicates value and readiness.
Listen: /episode/08gzsd0bCqv3Hr8MmMMsNH?si=5abcf4258aa840c2
Fathiu Olayemi is a skilled Graphic and Brand Identity Designer who believes deeply in the idea that “good design is good business.” He focuses on helping brands and businesses across various industries solve complex visual challenges through thoughtful, strategic design.
For Fathiu Olayemi, design is a form of deep observation. While most see a finished product, Fathiu sees the invisible architecture of a brand through a skill honed by constant learning and relentless grit. He lives by a simple mantra: good design is good business, but great design is a conversation.
In his impressive logofolio from 2023 and 2024, Fathiu proves that minimalism is not the absence of character, but the distillation of it. From the 10/10 Events identity to the elegant, culturally resonant minimalism of Asake Noir to the sleek, professional curves seen in logos for GoGrocer and Consonance and the playful, character-driven typography featured in Sweet Tooth and Asian Flame, each design reflects highlights his unique ability to balance rigid structure with human personality. These show a designer who builds comprehensive visual languages that help brands claim their space in a crowded market.
Beyond core brand identity, his body of work showcases his expansion into illustration, iconography and high-impact marketing / social media designs. Through his thoughtful approach and attention to detail, Fathiu Olayemi consistently creates brand identities that are not only visually striking but also deeply connected to the core values and goals of the businesses he works with.
Follow @fathiuuuu on Instagram and read more stories on our website /
IDESIGN by Tola Akerele is hiring a Senior Interior Designer with the creativity, technical expertise, and leadership needed to bring complex projects to life with precision and style.
If this role fits your experience and expertise, apply via the email provided on the job post.
Olajide Ajayi, who goes by the monicker @la_draw.s , is a gifted artist whose work spans concept art, illustration, and fine art. What makes his art especially captivating is the way he blends African realism with bold futuristic imagination, creating visuals that feel both deeply cultural and strikingly modern. Rather than chasing online trends, Ajayi focuses on telling stories inspired by his dreams, emotions, and the shared experiences of his community, which has helped him build a style that is both personal and unforgettable. His portfolio moves effortlessly from highly detailed portraits of African figures to expansive landscapes and cinematic architectural scenes filled with depth and atmosphere.
One of the most remarkable qualities of Ajayi’s work is his ability to reinterpret traditional African symbols and themes within imaginative futuristic worlds. His illustrations frequently explore the complexities of war, power, identity, and survival, balancing dramatic storytelling with emotional realism. Through a heightened realistic style, he captures both the beauty and harshness of these themes, making his work feel immersive and alive. A major turning point in his journey was the creation of his “knight piece,” a work he describes as magical and transformative. The piece became a defining moment for him, showcasing his talent for blending digital techniques with traditional fine art influences to create timeless imagery.
Ajayi’s artistic process is equally thoughtful and layered. He draws inspiration from books, films, video games, and everyday life, beginning each project with loose, instinctive sketches that capture the raw emotion of his ideas. From there, he carefully researches references and details to strengthen the realism and depth of the final work without losing its original energy. This balance between intuition and precision is part of what makes his art so compelling. Through his work, Ajayi offers a fresh vision of Africa’s past, present, and future, honoring cultural heritage while pushing creative boundaries in exciting new directions.
Follow @la_draw.s on Instagram and read more stories on our website /
RECOMMENDED READ 📚
Plan and Play, Play and Plan: Defining Your Art Practice is a reflective guide for artists, designers, photographers, and independent creators trying to better understand both their creative identity and the structure behind their practice. Rather than focusing only on technique or inspiration, the book examines the deeper questions creatives often struggle with: Who am I as an artist? What kind of work do I want to make? What values shape my practice? And how do I sustain creative growth over time? Through analytical frameworks and self-reflective exercises, the book encourages artists to intentionally shape their direction instead of simply reacting to opportunities as they come.
Written by Janwillem Schrofer, the book draws heavily from decades of experience mentoring artists at Amsterdam’s Rijksakademie between 1982 and 2010. Schrofer understands the uncertainty, tension, and contradictions that often define creative careers, especially for independent practitioners navigating personal expression, financial survival, public perception, and artistic evolution all at once. The book becomes less of a rigid manual and more of a thinking companion for creatives trying to define their own path with greater clarity and intention.
One of the book’s strongest ideas is the balance between structure and experimentation. The title itself — “Plan and Play, Play and Plan” — reflects the idea that creative practice requires both discipline and openness. Artists need room for intuition, curiosity, and discovery, but they also need systems, reflection, and direction to sustain meaningful long-term work. Instead of presenting creativity as chaotic genius, the book frames artistic practice as something that can be consciously examined, refined, and developed over time.
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