We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chioma Iloegbunam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chioma, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
From a multitude of things! In hindsight, I think creativity is a really fun feat in that way. It looks entirely different for everyone, but it emerges in some of the most unexpected ways. For me, it’s about turning off that part of your brain that inevitably loves to overthink.
I think whenever we find ourselves in a creative rut, it’s due to an underlying disposition to create something in totality, and to make something that we deem good. “Man, I want to draw something, but I don’t know what.” “Gosh, I’m stuck on what to write about. I guess I’ll write nothing.” But, in actuality, that’s sort of where we build a wall that shields us from unlocking our potential because we’re so afraid of creating something that doesn’t meet our standards, shying away from the very basics. You never truly run out of things to do or say as a creative, for it’s practically impossible—ideas are, objectively, endless. But because I, and I think many others, get stuck in this loop of thinking, “I have nothing of importance to say right now,” we tend to prefer saying nothing at all. Hell, I’m even guilty of this myself (thanks a lot, perfectionist tendencies from childhood).
Moreover, some of my best work has come from simply making absolute garbage ideas from nothing, which were then turned into something beautiful and concrete. I even have a little exercise for myself that always helps me both draw and write while in a rut: Write down a list of 30 random words, 20 different objects, and 10 universal concepts. Now, boil it down to five of those nouns: “Teapot. Nostalgia. Ocean. Existentialism. Love.” Too much at once? No problem. Let’s think simpler and boil it down to 3 instead: “Nostalgia. Ocean. Love.” Now, see what you can do with that. Is it a messy process? Perhaps. Do the ideas have to be “good” at first? Not at all. But it gets the cogs turning, doesn’t it? And that’s what you really want.
I also feel like many people are afraid to admit that they’re inspired by other people or different forms of media than what they specialize in, but I always find so much inspiration from seeing how other artists’ minds work within their craft. Aside from illustration, I also really love to write, and I find so much inspiration from putting my paintbrush down and just reading what other writers have to say—seeing how easily their thoughts flow together. I also adore film and love listening to directors geek out about their experiences, their techniques, or why they chose to film a shot a certain way. It might not be a realm I’m in myself (yet), but there’s so much that I’ve learned from simply stepping out of my box, and I always refer back to that when I myself am struggling to break through that wall of inadequacy that stops me from creating.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hello, hello! My name is Chioma Iloegbunam (she/they), and I’m a Designer/Illustrator based in the sunny little valley of Glendale, California. I’m also a happy cat mom to a VERY chatty calico kitty.
I love bringing mind-bendingly fun designs to life. Thanks to my additional background in creative writing and animation, I also enjoy incorporating these elements into my work. And thankfully, my years of experience across various domains have allowed me to work with a wonderful clientele who share a fondness for visual and literary storytelling.
I’m really grateful to be able to do what I do and only hope to continue rising from here!
(Mini note: I have a quite lengthy personal project launching on my website in April. It’s been an exhaustive few months with the high amount of writing involved, but I’m incredibly proud of the outcome. I’ve attached a mini preview at the very end. Thanks, darlings!)
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, I’d say the three big game-changers for me have been creativity, resilience, and the ability to learn continuously. Being in the design and illustration field, creativity is kind of a no-brainer. It’s not just about having original ideas but also about solving problems in unique ways. Resilience has been key, especially when projects don’t go as planned or when I’m navigating the ups and downs of freelance work. It’s about bouncing back and finding new paths forward. Continuous learning has kept me relevant and innovative. With trends and tools constantly evolving, staying curious and eager to learn has been crucial.
For those just starting out, my biggest piece of advice would be to nurture these areas actively. For creativity, don’t shy away from experimenting. Try a bunch of different styles, mediums, or even merge your hobbies with your work! It’s all about finding that unique voice and perspective. Resilience can be built by setting small, achievable goals and gradually pushing your comfort zone. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “ew, minor discomfort and the possibility of any slight inconvenience? Absolutely not.” I get it. But, don’t fear total failure; it’s just a stepping stone. I’ve quite literally failed so many times at this point, and I’ve had to unlearn the importance of what a “dream job” truly is by having opportunities that could’ve potentially changed my life be ripped out from right beneath my feet, and I’ve had to push forward anyway in hopes of receiving something even better on the other side. And I always managed to. And although it doesn’t sting any less to watch promising opportunities slip away, especially in a creatively-stunted climate like the one we live in right now, it’s important to understand that it’s ultimately temporary, and that it’ll pass. Lastly, for continuous learning, make it a habit. Whether it’s through online courses, workshops, or just tinkering with new tools, keep that artsy brain hungry for more!
Everyone’s journey is unique, so it’s okay if yours doesn’t look like someone else’s. I had to FORCE myself to internalize this one, but boy, did it help me a lot mentally in the long run. Embrace your path, keep pushing, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I’ll be honest, I think it has to be, without a doubt, finding optimism in the current landscape of entertainment and digital media. The intentional dehumanization of the artist. I’m a very particular person, and as such, I don’t react to sudden negative changes very well even if I’m able to find positivity in the midst of it. So, this past year has forced me to take a step back and look around.
I see many other artists (so many being close friends and colleagues of mine) losing both steam and hope for a better future in their creative fields, and it’s more disheartening than anything. A lot of us feel as though we’re constantly watching blocks of cement be fed into an endless cog machine, only to poof out the other end and say ‘Here, look! A shiny apple! Eat it!’ And at times we’ll receive a real apple or two, sometimes even the shiniest and tastiest of apples, but for some reason, the blocks of cement are far bigger and far more plentiful these days. We have so many creative minds that are brave enough to say ‘I have a new tune I’d love to play for you, if you’d care to listen,’ though they’re consistently drowned out by blaring sirens from much bigger entities that say ‘Pish, posh. Just play as you usually do.’
With that being said, I’m glad we’re in an era where people value authenticity, creativity, and genuine storytelling over brand reputation and dollar signs. And although I don’t care for late-stage capitalism, I’m at least glad that some artists are able to shine in the midst of it through projects that allow them to just BE. We see throughout history that hard times force people to really look at what’s truly important, and just because something’s pretty on the outside doesn’t mean it can get people to care, and I find that most people in this changing landscape of entertainment are only now beginning to understand that. I think we’ve already sort of seen the pushback on that through box office performances and reception from the general public, and it gives me hope for me and my fellow artists in the near future. We’ve been here since the very beginning of time, and we’ll be here in the end times whether people wish to acknowledge that or not.
Facing these challenges head-on, I’ve zeroed in on a few key moves. First off, I’m pouring energy into personal projects that hit close to home. It’s like a creative safe space where I can be me, unfiltered. Then, there’s the power of my tribe—linking up with fellow artists who get it. We’re all about swapping tips, cheering each other on, and just being there for each other. And we can’t forget about staying sharp; I’m all in on learning, whether it’s mastering my art or getting savvy with the business bits. Workshops, webinars, you name it—I’m there!
Keeping it real with these steps helps carve out a spot for me and the crew in this crazy world of storytelling and creativity. It’s no walk in the park, but man, is it worth it. Here’s to making waves in our culture and beyond ♡
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chiomailo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.iloe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chioma-iloegbunam-565a6a16b/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/chiomailo47f40
Image Credits
Credits: Noggin, Myself
