FCE Akoka graduates 5,522
Many graduates end up not practicing what they read. How did yours happen?
Mine is not a deviation yet as I am still pursuing interests related to my course. However graphics design and communications is an enterprise I got into in 2009 during one of the almost traditional ASUU strikes. I started off with sign writing and screen printing and it became part of me. I consistently developed myself based on market trends to stay relevant in the business. Today, I can boldly say I am a selftrained graphics designer and with the help of technology, I have been able to evolve into a professional sought-after creative designer.
How lucrative is the emerging graphics and design industry in Nigeria?
Graphics design is the new face of communication. It is something that drives advertising and attracts us to brands. Graphic designs are present everywhere - in newspapers, magazines, packaging, branding, websites, posters, books, signage, and more. It’s like the new language of
What are the highs and lows one could face in this industry?
The beauty of the job is about naturally building your knowledge on many things. This is because you work with many clients across various fields, and to come up with a great design, there is the place of empathy in design thinking. This makes you delve into some aspects of your client’s work; I dare to say Graphic Designers know a lot about many things. We offer to solve problems of communications, and we are paid to do that creatively.
On the flip side, some clients could have funny imagination - which is a
What goes through your mind before starting a creative work?
You have to concentrate on a lot of things, you consider the key questions: for whom (Audience), why (End result) and what exactly it’s the goal of the project. And you must also consider the time frame, because like I always tell people, a good design takes time.
What are the basic skills and tools required to start a creative business?
You must be a good communicator and you have to be creative. A good understanding of the technology (software and design tools), time management skills, and be multitasking. More so, you will have to take care of your health as it very important for continuous success.
What would be your words to young minds that envy creative artists?
They should go all out for it and leave a mark for others to follow! The Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Lagos state has held its convocation ceremony where it graduated 5,522 students recently.
The 37th convocation combined graduates from three academic sessions since 2014/2015, the Provost, Dr. Sijibomi Olusanya said.
The best graduate was Arile Olajuwon Josiah of the Department Office and Technology and Management Education who scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.62.
Olusanya said the College in its 50 years of existence has produced great Nigerians and educationists. He appealed to the federal government to develop technical education in the country.
Chairman of the College’s governing council, Mr Iheanacho Obioma also called on the Federal Government to give priority to the timely release of capital funds to facilitate the rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructures.
He said, “Vocational and technical education by its nature is capital intensive and requires general funding. Staff and students population have also increased, and unfortunately funding is either inadequate or not available. This has created uneasiness between the management, staff and students’ unions.”