We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naliyah Hall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naliyah below.
Naliyah , so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
The first thing that you should know is that you cannot avoid burnout but, you can overcome burnout. There will be times where you’ve completely tapped out of ideas, which is okay. To overcome burnout is to prioritize self-care. Schedule days to have to yourself to enjoy the activities or hobbies you love doing. On the days I choose to close commissions, I like to binge watch my favorite shows or new movies i’m interested in watching. If I have more days, I will have a pedicure and manicure day. To overcome burnout, you have to put your mental before anything else. Without a sound and calm mind, you cannot perform at your best.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Graphics and Motion designer, I specialize album artwork, motion design, and branding. I work with musicians and create conceptual designs for their musical releases. If I had to say, the most exciting part of my job is being able to see their audiences reaction to the artwork and what their upcoming project will mean. It’s a surreal feeling to be completely honest. The most special aspect of my job is being able to work with or even connect with the artists I grew up listening to. Granite, there are newer artists that i’ve enjoyed working with. For next year, I do have new projects in mind for a few artists including Lil Baby and Tay B but, you just have to stay tuned for what’s to come.
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?
The three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey that I believe any creative should develop is that — First, in this industry, there are labels and teams that will use your ideas or designs without giving proper credit. For any creative, negotiate early, set boundaries, and make sure your contributions are respected.
Secondly, another area of knowledge that were most impactful has been learning to utilize the right tools to improve my creative potential. Platforms such as Canva and Envato are great for branding kits, flyer promotions, and overall brand marketing. But, when it comes to single and album artwork, motion graphics, and vinyl packaging, programs like Adobe and Blender are essential. At the end of the day, your artwork is your identity and developing your signature allows your work to become instantly recognizable.
Lastly, the area of knowledge that were most impactful in my creative journey is that I’ve learned the importance of giving myself grace. A creative journey is exactly that —— a journey. Success and growth don’t look the same for everyone , and recognizing where you are in your skill set helps build the confidence to keep pushing your ideas and designs to the next level.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am open to collaborating with other designers and creatives who share the vision of unity and inclusion in the creative space. I want to work with creatives who are not only passionate about their craft but, also committed to sharing tools, techniques, and knowledge that can improve our growth. Most importantly, I believe in giving proper credit where it’s due. Every creative deserves the proper recognition for their contributions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/naligfx
- Instagram: @naligfx
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
