Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ademola Adekanbi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ademola, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
It’s been a long road for me to get over imposter syndrome. I’m the type of person who naturally prefers the calm side of things. Being an introvert, I find happiness and comfort in self-reflection. But despite my love of isolation, I struggled with a persistent sense of inadequacy that would come out in social situations. The mere thought of meeting new people would chill me to the bone. I used to withdraw into my thoughts, wondering if I belonged and what my value was. I felt as though I was overanalyzing every conversation I had and every action I took. There was always the lurking fear of not feeling good enough.
Change didn’t begin until I looked inward at my objectives and ambitions. I came to understand that for me to truly thrive in life, I had to get over my fear. I had missed out on different opportunities because I felt I was never good enough. I’ve learned that feeling like an imposter happens when I compare myself to others. It makes me focus on what I think I’m not good at and ignore what I’ve accomplished. It’s like looking through a blurry lens that makes me negatively see myself, even though everyone has times when they feel unsure about themselves.
Taking a risk and stepping outside of my comfort zone required guts and resolve. I had to confront my uncertainties and dispel the notion that I lacked sufficient qualities. I deliberately chose to push myself further and take on tasks, even if they initially looked impossible. I started to see a change in perspective, albeit gradually. I concentrated on what I could learn rather than what I didn’t know. I eagerly welcomed new experiences instead of being afraid of them. I became more confident in my abilities and myself with every step I took forward. I learned that real greatness is about accepting our gifts and sharing them with the world, not about stuffing them under our fingers out of fear. It was a revelation that changed the way I saw life.
I decided to quit doubting myself and to fully embrace my strengths with a renewed sense of resolve. I discovered that, despite my imperfections, I should embrace who I am and keep working toward improvement. My current self was formed through a process of self-acceptance and self-discovery.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a product designer originally from Nigeria, now living in Berlin, Germany. My journey into the world of design began at the age of 15, and ever since then, I’ve been exploring different aspects of design. Currently, I focus on designing digital products for businesses. From my professional standpoint, I believe that great design should prioritize simplicity and clarity while also serving the practical purpose of driving business growth.
I studied insurance at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, after finishing a diploma in social development and administration from the same university. Back then, I had no idea that my first encounter with design at age 15 would kickstart an exciting journey of learning more about myself and growing in my career.
During my time at university, I excelled in several competitions. Leveraging my knowledge of both insurance as a student and design, I developed an innovative solution to tackle a significant challenge in the insurance industry: claim settlement. which made it to the finals of Africa’s Biggest Insurtech Hackathon, organized by Inlaks (www.inlaks.com ) ( https://www.inlaks.com/thehatch-launch/). Among 20 teams from across Africa, the team I led secured the fifth position. Also, the solution won the 2019 University of Lagos Actuarial Science and Insurance Club Case Study Challenge. I was one of the founding designers for the Professor Ayodele Awojobi Design Competition (PAADC), the largest student-led competition in Nigeria focusing on innovation and technology, organized by the University of Lagos Engineering Society.
I began my professional career as a design intern at an AgricTech company – one of the anchor companies in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP). A significant turning point came when I met Eyitayo Ogunmola, the CEO of Utiva, Inc., during a visit to the US Consulate in Lagos. Since that fateful meeting, my creative endeavors have not only left an indelible mark on Utiva’s growth but have also ignited a fervent passion for leveraging design as a catalyst for progress. I believe that design is more than simply aesthetics; my experience with Utiva serves as an example of how effective design can be in changing the fundamental nature of a company. In 2018, I led the development of Utiva’s visual approach, which greatly enhanced the artwork, visibility, and reputation of the business.
In 2020, the Utiva brand was even ranked 12th among Africa’s up-and-coming brands in a report by fourthCanva (https://africachallengerbrands.com/). I’ve also helped Utiva make deals with big companies like Microsoft, Facebook, HP, and Binance by making really good presentation slides.
The more thrilling path continued when I joined Reeddi Technologies, where I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of innovation. Stepping into the role as a product designer in September 2020, at that time, the company was heavily reliant on physical infrastructure to power the groundbreaking Reeddi capsule, honored as one of Time’s 100 Best Inventions of 2021 (https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2021/6113115/reeddi/) and finalist of the Earthshot Prize by William, Prince of Wales (https://earthshotprize.org/winners-finalists/reeddi-capsules/) the same year. Recognizing the pressing need for scalability and accessibility, I embarked on pioneering Tempown, a digital rental platform revolutionizing access to emission-saving energy devices. This journey propelled us beyond the confines of traditional infrastructure, empowering diverse sectors and communities with clean, affordable electricity. Covering 16 out of 20 local government areas in Lagos State, Nigeria, and serving an average of 1500 individuals monthly, our journey embodies the relentless pursuit of innovation and impact.
In September 2022, I was part of the Speakers for BeMore Festival (https://bemore.adplist.org/), a free 24-hour global design conference celebrating design, products, and visionaries from top companies worldwide. The event was hosted by ADPList. I participated in a panel discussion titled ‘Chart Your Own Career Path,’ alongside three other speakers.
I’ve established a reputation for being an expert in design solutions. I’m a creative problem-solver. I’ve refined my talents in a variety of fields, from graphic design to user experience to user research, which enables me to approach a broad range of issues with assurance and grace. I don’t stop there, I also like working on side projects with friends, combining our skills and viewpoints to make something genuinely original. These partnerships are gratifying and a lot of fun. To put it simply, I’m passionate about design in ways that go beyond the work I do alone. I’m reminded of the countless opportunities that present themselves when our skills are combined and we strive toward a shared objective.
I like to play video games and listen to mellow jazz when I’m not using my laptop. I also enjoy taking photos in various locations. There’s an additional aspect of my life that brings me immense joy, and that’s mentoring. I currently mentor designers at DesignLab (designlab.com) and ADPList. There’s something truly fulfilling about guiding others along their journey toward understanding design. It’s akin to sharing a flame of creativity, ensuring that it continues to burn brightly in the hands of the next generation.
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?
Looking back on my journey so far, the skills and qualities that have shown to be essential for me are as follows:
Innovation and problem-solving: Innovation has been at the heart of my journey, driving me to constantly seek new ways to address challenges and create value. From conceptualizing solutions for insurance settlement issues to pioneering digital platforms for clean energy access, I’ve embraced a mindset of continuous innovation. This ability to think creatively and strategically has not only propelled my growth but has also enabled me to make tangible contributions to the organizations I’ve been a part of, from Utiva to Reeddi Technologies.
Communication and presentation: My experience as a product designer has been greatly influenced by my ability to communicate and convey. My ability to articulate ideas and engage stakeholders has been crucial in driving business growth, whether it’s creating compelling pitches to secure partnerships, effectively communicating the value proposition to diverse sectors and communities, or defending your design decisions. I’ve been successful in persuading important stakeholders and decision-makers of the distinctive value propositions of my designs and activities through effective communication. This has helped me establish meaningful collaborations and established me as a reliable and powerful voice in the field.
Collaboration: Working together with other people has been essential to my career as a designer, helping me overcome many obstacles. It has been quite helpful to collaborate with coworkers from various fields and backgrounds to realize creative ideas. Working together has always advanced my ideas, whether we were developing new platforms or perfecting some other visual assets. I gained priceless ideas and viewpoints by actively interacting with people from various teams and departments. This collaborative approach encouraged team members’ passion and sense of ownership while also ensuring that the final product aligned with the brand’s concept.
My Advice: I advise anyone embarking on this journey to embrace ongoing innovation as a means of overcoming obstacles creatively and improving the caliber of their designs. Gaining confidence and clarity in your ideas is crucial for making strong pitches and delivering your message to a variety of audiences. This may be accomplished by developing your effective communication skills. In addition, encouraging a collaborative atmosphere is essential to nourishing the creative process. Accept different viewpoints and collaborate well with others to produce outstanding outcomes that are in line with the mission of your brand.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
One of the main factors in forming who I am now is my parents. They made sure I had access to education and all I needed to succeed from the outset. Their steadfast assistance provided a strong basis for my journey.
Their attitude toward my work path was one of the parenting styles that had the biggest influence on me. They let me explore and decide what felt right for me, rather than forcing their wishes upon me. I was able to follow my passions and create my path in life because of this.
In addition to providing material help, my parents gave me something priceless: their prayers. It gives me comfort and strength to know that they are always praying for my success. It serves as a reminder that I am not doing this alone and that their love and support go well beyond things. My parents have helped me. They always pray for me, support my education, and let me choose my path. Their love and encouragement have given me the courage to chase my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theademola.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ademola/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adekanbiademola/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_ademola_
Image Credits
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