NAPS PRESS: Can we meet you?
TERRY: I'm Sulaimon Olamilekan Terisola, a 400 level philosophy student, a graphic designer and CEO of The Chronicles.
NAPS PRESS: So, graphicdesigning? Tell us about your journey into it.
TERRY: Hmm, where do I start? My journey into graphic design started officially, 3 years ago, but unofficially 6 years ago. It started off as a joke and I'd say boredom. It was this fine evening after preparing for the Jamb exam with nothing to do and sleep decided not to come due to the anxiety of the exam that's to come, I decided to replicate the Jamb registration slipall I used was Word document on my old laptop I call dinosaur coz of how old and heavy it was. I noticed how comfortable and relaxed I was, trying to pay attention to details of the original slip. Long story short, I was surprised at the outcome and loved it. That was how I got hooked oo and in my mind of minds I was already the baddest graphic designer!
NAPS PRESS: Nice! How has the 'official' journey been so far? combining with stress of school work and all. Especially with a course like philosophy.
TERRY: I took on the role as a graphic designer officially 3 years ago and it's been nothing short of a blessing, I'd say it's the best decision I ever made. Balancing it with school has not been the most difficult task. Although, there are days when work clashes with school schedules. A most recent experience would be last session during our exams, I had a really big design project I was working on, which gave me just little time to study. I was usually some minutes late to the exams, and that lasted for a week and some days. Fortunately, I passed 99% of my courses and carried over a course, which isn't totally bad coz I enjoyed every minute I spent working on the design project and the study shuffles in between Lol it made me feel like superman.
NAPS PRESS: Wow! Nice to hear and sorry about the course.Why the name Chronicles?
TERRY: The name 'The Chronicles' is just like it suggests. It's a series of events arranged in the order of time.
NAPS PRESS: Tell us about the brand Chronicles
TERRY: The brand - 'The Chronicles' is not just about Graphics and designs, there's a The Chronicles Dance group, The Chronicles fashion line is looking to launch anytime soon, and like I mentioned earlier, there are more plans to be birthed sooner than you expect.
NAPS PRESS: When people think of the name Chronicles, what should they think about Chronicles brand
TERRY: For now, when people think of the name The Chronicles, they think Graphic Designs because that's what the brand is selling the most. Might not be the case in the coming years, who knows?
NAPS PRESS: Describe Chronicles in three words
TERRY: Creative, Result driven, Value oriented
NAPS PRESS: Every entrepreneur experiences one problem or the other most times because of the limitations the country has. What would you say has been your biggest challenge and your biggest inspiration?
TERRY: You are spot on, my biggest challenge is definitely my country Nigeria, it's probably the biggest challenge in the tech space -being Nigerian. My job is not limited to Nigerian clients, I get design projects outside Nigeria and Africa and securing these projects is usually a hustle because of the daily increase in the number of Nigerian scams and fraudsters and the negative impact it has on Nigeria as a whole. Most of my clients are online, some are through referrals by existing clients, while some are through a random stumble on my online portfolio. Most of my clients abroad stumbled on my portfolio and reached out but having a good portfolio is usually not always enough because there are times when the deal is very close to being finalized, then the client asks, "what country are you from" once Nigeria is mentioned, the next thing you hear is "thank you very much, I'll reach out to you on any development" then you wait for the development and nothing comes. For the clients that became a success, I'm sure they were fasting and praying after giving their projects to a Nigerian
For what inspires me, it's as simple as just looking back at how far I've come and where I plan to be. That's what keeps me going.
NAPS PRESS: Do you have people that inspire you or people you look up to in your industry? How have they contributed or helped your journey so far?
TERRY: Yes I do. There a number of people whose works inspired, two of those people would be Chris Do, and Unmesh Dinda.
So far, watching them from a distance as they do what they are best at, has helped me focus on the bigger picture.
NAPS PRESS: How do you stay creative!
TERRY: Hmm... how do I stay creative? That's probably a tough question coz I'm surrounded by creativity that it's hard to not be creative. I usually just start each day with a clear mind and the minute I open my eyes and phone there's already the next idea waiting to be harnessed.
NAPS PRESS: Do you ever have blockage? And how do you deal with it
TERRY: Yes ooo... There are times when I have creative block, and to deal with that, I plug in my earphones and pace back and forth in my room, or take a stroll or just hangout with friends and play video games.
NAPS PRESS: How do you deal with failure? Have there been a point where a client rejected your work and asked for a refund?
TERRY: Failure? It's never really been the case. There have definitely been No's, there have been cases when a client rejects a design (it was sort of like a package deal when you start off as a graphic designer) not necessarily because you're a bad designer but sometimes just because the design doesn't resonate with the client. It was troubling at first, then I got deep into graphic designs and l learnt how to deal with it and ultimately avoid it. No, there hasn't been any time a client asked for a refund, I always end up delivering a satisfactory service.
NAPS PRESS: From your answers, we can see the passion you have for graphic designing. Is that what you plan to do or venture fully into after school ?? What's your plan after school?
TERRY: Graphic design is definitely a future and long term plan. There are other sister plans alongside which the world is yet to see but it's definitely coming sooner than you think.
NAPS PRESS: We cant wait to see it! We all know that African parents don't recognize jobs like content creating, graphics designing etc Thank God that some of them are getting enlightened. What does your family most especially parents think about you venturing into graphics designing?
TERRY: My parents and family have been the most supportive. They are easily my biggest fans, I must add. I am definitely blessed to have them by my side.
NAPS PRESS: Do you have anything more you are doing or plan to do apart from graphics and philosophy now or in the future.
TERRY: Graphic design in itself is bigger than what most people think, in fact, it's usually not a one man's job. However, there are other plans which would be birthed fully in due time.
NAPS PRESS: In what ways has philosophy helped you in terms of graphics designing
TERRY: Contrary to what most people think, Philosophy has been a blessing in disguise and has helped me not only in graphic design as a job but also in creativity as a lifestyle. Being a course that deals mostly with reason and rationality, it has helped me deal with the different forms and kinds of people I meet on a daily basis. The kind of job and life path I have chosen, opens me to great possibilities of meeting and interacting with people and brands from different spheres of life with the same or different thought process as mine. Philosophy has been helpful in these areas and has taught me to deal with each situation as rational as possible, with a unique interest in each brand as they come.
NAPS PRESS: What are the things you wish you knew or did earlier that you know now or you do now?
TERRY: Graphic design, I really wish I knew this earlier and I'm not talking about the Flyers logos, websites and posters you see out there, I'm talking about the art of graphic design which entails communication, branding, positioning and every other technicalities you might find out there. It's been really helpful knowing these things and there's definitely still a lot to learn.
NAPS PRESS: What can you advice anyone just venturing or planning to in the nearest future? Into graphic designing I mean
TERRY: To anyone planning a future in graphic design, the toughest part of it is the thought of starting. My advice is to stop thinking about starting and just start and you'll be surprised at how easy and fun it gets.
NAPS PRESS: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years
TERRY: In 5 years, I see myself doing better than I currently am, there's no rush whatsoever, but there'll definitely be growth.
NAPS PRESS: Last words
TERRY: The tech space is a fast growing industry with an influx of digital talents day by day. Tomorrow might be too late, start today and build your growth to tomorrow
NAPS PRESS: Sell yourself to fellow NAPSite
TERRY: As a business owner, whether small scale or large scale, no part of your business should be taken with levity and that mostly includes the external perception of your business and this is influenced by the kind of images you put out there about your business. Get professional graphic designs to represent your brand and attract premium clients.
NAPS PRESS: Shout out!
TERRY: Shout out to every dream out there, big or small. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, the fact is every big business and brand you see out there started off small. All you just need to do is start.
NAPS PRESS: How do people who are interested in patronizing reach you. Your contact number and social media handle
TERRY: You can reach me on Instagram @designs_by_thechronicles
And on WhatsApp +2349057386763
NAPS PRESS: Thank you so much for your time.
TERRY: Thank you for having me.
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