Meet Toye Shogbamimu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Toye Shogbamimu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Toye, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive by staying connected and engaged with things that originally inspired me—like ’90s and early 2000s internet, old cartoons, and childhood nostalgia. Artistically, I am always creating characters, building worlds, and pulling ideas from all forms of past and present media. Whether I am working on a standalone animation project or writing and illustrating my independent comic book series, “Dunglingse World,” I treat creativity like a muscle—something that stays in shape when exercised and fed frequently.
I am also very inquisitive and find inspiration in unexpected places. My curiosity can honestly lead me down any rabbit hole, resulting in a quick sketch or even a bold animation idea spurred by listening to a viral audio clip—whatever it is, I make sure to keep the gears turning to stay creatively alive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

A little bit about my background, I have always been fascinated by cartoons and animated films since I was younger, so much so that I became headstrong in my goal of creating animations of my own. From that drive, it led me to start working on making my comic book series back in 2010, with the vision of eventually turning it into a small-screen adaptation and working with any big-name animation studio.
Years later, I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I was fortunate enough to acquire the privilege of finally diving in and learning the hard work involved in both 3D animation and motion graphics through professionals in the field. I’ll be honest — animation, as a whole, is no easy feat, especially when you are first starting. It took time, patience, and practice before I felt comfortable navigating different tools and software.
Now, as a freelance multimedia artist, I prioritize hard work and developing work that speaks for itself. All things considered, I think that my artwork encompasses a range of interpretations, ideas, and topics that transcend the boundaries of 2D, digital, or 3D-styled art. I try to present my vision in a variety of media, but my main goal is always to create images that inspire strong feelings through emotive storytelling.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

With my current journey, the three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that have been the most impactful are: persistence, curiosity, and being open to trial and error.
First, persistence helped me stay motivated even when things got frustrating or slow, especially with animation, where progress is more gradual. If you are beginning, don’t let slow progress discourage you; keep pulling through, even when it feels like you’re not improving fast enough – it is all about growth.
Second, I am always interested in learning new tools, techniques, and styles. Personally, curiosity is what makes your work expand. Whether watching how-to tutorials, asking questions, or just messing around, one should get into the habit of curiosity- you just never know what your next best thing could be.
And finally, being open to trial and error. Naturally, visual art, let alone animation, isn’t about getting it perfect on the first try. A lot of learning happens by messing up and trying again, by figuring out what you initially did wrong. Personally, I’ve learned not to be afraid to make bad art, as it’s all part of the process. The more you experiment, the more confident and refined your skills will become over time.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m ready and willing to collaborate with other creatives, mainly those who are passionate about visual narratives and bring original, creative ideas to life. Primarily, I’m interested in working with other animators, writers, designers, etc., who are willing to push the envelope in bold and new ways. Having said that, I’m always wanting to try new approaches to produce fresh material, whether it be for concept development, independent projects, or short films.
Please feel free to contact me directly via my website or social media. It is always cool to hear from people who are as enthusiastic and committed to creating content as I am!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.toyeshog.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toyesonline/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toyeshog