Last updated on December 20th, 2021
Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn’t appreciate your work. One should keep on creating amazing artworks. Such a kind of creative spirit should be in every aspiring artist who believes to live his passion irrespective of any circumstances. PrintShop salutes such spirit and presents a series called Being An Artist where we showcase the artistic journeys of the global talents with our creative community. In this post, we would like to share the inspiring story of a freelance graphic designer and affiliate marketer from Nigeria.
JODAN DANIEL
John Stephen Daniel aka Jodan Daniel is a professional graphic designer, influencer, freelancer and affiliate marketer who specializes in creating logos. He started following his passion for art after completing his school.
As a beginner, he started participating in art competitions and won prizes for his creative artwork. Thereafter, he decided to learn more about how to promote his work and make money from his artworks. During the period, he learned about affiliate marketing and freelancing.
Today, he is working as a freelancer and has partnered with print-on-demand platform, PrintShop, where he has been selling his creative work and showcasing it with millions of people.
PrintShop by Designhill is a print-on-demand marketplace where anyone can discover & buy 50+ unique products, gifts & artwork created by 150+ artists from more than 180 countries around the world.
It’s an online marketplace where 100+ new artworks are uploaded every minute to provide new shopping vibes for customers.
Hence, we decided to get in touch with him and asked about his artistic journey. He said,
“I’m from Affahabong Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. I started my designing career after completing school. After that, I applied for training in Graphic Design at ‘Medal Print’ where I started my artistic career. I started designing whenever my teachers are out or not at work. I used to create various designs for my friends. They started admiring my work which made me realize that I could do better. Therefore, I decided to take the control of my career and created my designing label (graphic design company), Josign. I’m blessed that I have a very supportive family, brothers, and sister who always encourage me to work hard. To stay creative and motivated, I listen to motivational speakers which keeps me moving forward with a positive mindset. Today, I’m an independent artist who works as a freelancer for various small companies and creates designs under my label.”
PrintShop: What’s your process of creating a piece of artwork and what tools and techniques do you use?
Jodan: I create my artwork with Corel Draw (software). First, I draw it on paper as a rough sketch before designing and finalizing the system. Also, I use tools like Shape, Procreate, etc.
PrintShop: How do you find inspiration and stay creative?
Jodan: I find inspiration from God. I listen to motivational speakers. I read about professional graphic designers and their work. I focus on my friends’ actions, feelings and things that happen in everyday life.
I collaborate with local designers and look out for how to design things differently from others – how to stay authentic with my work.
PrintShop: Did you face any challenges in your artistic journey? If yes, How did you overcome it?
Jodan: The challenges I face during my artistic journey came when I was unable to get a computer for my designing career.
Sometimes, I used my friend, clients computer to work for them because if I didn’t, in the end, I won’t be paid well, or I won’t be able to meet up to contest. That fear always scared me.
Because of not having my personal computer, I lost many clients. But with the love of God, I was able to overcome all the challenges and secure a computer for my artistic career by meeting people for their assistance and with the little money from day to day jobs.
PrintShop: What is the best advice you’ve gotten as an artist or the most important thing you’ve learned?
Jodan: The best advice I have is not to put down on myself or feeling discouraged because of the clients declining your work or I did not win the contest. Never feel discouraged.
I have learned to accept failure and keep on moving forward. You should also learn to move forward without any hesitation and regret in your heart. Have faith. Because with the helo of God and your determined will, all things can be possible.
Forget the past and looking forward to achieving your goals. No one was born to be a failure. Go, work on your dreams and make it happen.
Check out his latest work on PrintShop.
