There is power in typography and image, and if the world has become more global because of digital media, design made it so. But how equitable is the algorithm of the power dynamics that unite the world if its’ artificial intelligence is programmed solely by the other? The acceptance of Eurocentric perspective as the conventional narrative in digital media, pedagogy, and practice places design under a microscopic view. This reality burdens Black, Indigenous, People of color with the “emotional assignment” of justifying their points of view to the privileged few. However, elements and principles of design run through all cultures in the world.
Like how the Akan Adinkra symbol “Sankofa” expresses the way forward as visitation to the past, the future of design is a re-imagination of the past for a more inclusive tomorrow. Yes, historically, design modernism is simple, clean, and less ambiguous. However, if the design quest is to strive for simplicity and clarity, we should question what we are excluding and why we are doing so. As we continue to sideline the questioning, we have accepted design modernism as universality in design instead of it as a western pretense for an inclusive design thinking.
Again, by critiquing our critiques, we should understand designers as bodies in space with self-reflections, instead of straightforward “robotic-creatives” This understanding will lead to the question “who is left out?” The answer to the question “who is left out?” is the rejection of the false binary of superior and inferior cultures. Cultures that make the earth beautiful and diverse. By having more BIPOC in design agencies, creative problem-solving perspectives will increase. And if this multitude of perspectives coexists equally in design dialogue, research, and programming, the future of design will be culturally responsive instead of the everyday “grid system”
Is Graphic Design still a Western European something?
Education
Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Ohio University, 2022
Thesis: Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Design, (Multimedia) KNUST, 2016
Thesis: Managing Access to Students' Residential Facilities
Certifications
UX Certification, University of California, Berkeley, 2024
UX, UI Certification, School of UX Design, London, 2022
Visual Arts Management, Ohio University, 2021
Professional Experience
Visual Multimedia Designer
Varian Medical Systems | Palo Alto, CA April 2022 – Present
• Led the UX design and content management for the Radiation Oncology Business Area intranet, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement and improved navigation efficiency.
• Delivered visual design support for 5+ business units, enhancing cross-departmental communication and consistency in branding.
• Directed and produced 20+ leadership communication videos, increasing viewer engagement by 50% among internal and external audiences.
• Collaborated on marketing materials for 3 major internal and external events, contributing to a 20% increase in participant attendance.
Lead User Experience Designer
Athens Copwatch | Athens, OH August 2020 - January 2022
• Facilitated weekly meetings with community members to refine user stories, improving user satisfaction scores by 20% through targeted design iterations.
• Delivered high-quality design assets, including 30+ sketches, sitemaps, user flows, wireframes, and mockups, streamlining the design process and reducing turnaround time by 15%.
• Developed 5 interactive prototypes for usability studies and conducted on-site research, resulting in actionable insights that improved app effectiveness by 30%.
Graphic Communications Designer
Ohio University | Athens, OH January 2020 – April 2022
• Partnered with marketing and PR teams to produce over 50 creative assets for print and digital platforms, leading to a 15% increase in social media engagement.
• Designed branded souvenirs that contributed to a 25% increase in funds raised during the School of Music's alumni fundraising initiatives.
• Revamped recruitment materials, aligning with Ohio University’s updated brand guidelines and improving application rates by 10%.
• Contributed to brainstorming sessions that developed and implemented 3 innovative student retention strategies, improving retention rates by 5%.
Communication Designer
Cohear | Cincinnati, OH June 2021 - January 2022
• Created engaging visual content for 20+ social media and email campaigns, achieving a 40% increase in audience engagement and interactions.
• Collaborated on and designed research reports for policymakers in Ohio, resulting in initiatives that improved community outreach.
• Conducted impactful design research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, contributing to a 236% increase in vaccination rates in Columbus, OH.
Graphic Design Intern
Active | Kumasi, GH June 2013– December 2013
• Worked with senior designers and other team members on design projects, assets, and deadlines.
• Researched design trends and best practices.
• Assisted in designing marketing plans and design concepts for events, campaigns, and promotions.
• Prepared files for print production.
Skills
Research
Contextual Inquiry, Competitive Analysis, Persona, Journey Mapping, Responsive Design
Collaboration
Design Critique, Prototyping, Flow Analysis, Detail-Orientation, Communicative, Strategy and Vision Presentation
Design
Style Guide, Storyboard, Information Design/Architecture, Gestalt Principles, Visual Design, Motion Design
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, Figma, XD, Webflow, Powerpoint, Balsamiq, Miro, Maze
Honors and Awards
Student Enhancement Grant, $6000 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2022
The Billman Award, $2500 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2021,
Adobe EDU Design Achievement Award | California, 2019
Verified International Academic Qualifications, WES | New York, 2019
Graduate Recruitment Scholarship | Ohio University, 2019
Solo Exhibitions
Identimatics, Porter Hall, Pittsburg State University, Kansas, 2024
Global Arts Festival, Alden Library, Ohio University, Ohio, 2022
Identimatics, Ohio University Art Gallery, Ohio, 2022
Group Exhibitions
Storytime, Majestic Galleries, Nelsonville, Ohio, 2023
Legacy: Don Adleta and Karen Nulf, 60 years of Graphic Design, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, 2021
Silver Lining, The Ohio University Art Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Precipice, Trisolini Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2019
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2020
Publications
Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns, Lulu Press, 2022
Studies Interpreting the Feminine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Studies Interpreting the Masculine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Managing Access to Students Residential Facilities, KNUST Press, 2016
Research Assistantships
Assistant Design Researcher: Focus Visual Translation and Seeing Harmony, Don Adleta and Tricia Hennessey, Ohio University Press, 2024
Lead Design Researcher: Black Home Ownership in Columbus: Opportunities for Wealth Creation, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: Leading Change: The Cincinnati Art Museum as a Catalyst for Reconciliation and Inclusion, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Racial Equity and Economic Mobility, Cohear, 2021
Lead Design Researcher: 15 Years of Achievements: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Osei Akoto, 2015
Volunteer
Media Lead, Nsesa Foundation, Suacode.ai Kumasi, Ghana, 2021
Graphic Designer, Ohio University, Center for International Studies, Ohio, 2020
Curatorial Team, As Not For: Dethroning Our Absolutes, Ohio University Art Galleries, 2020
Multimedia Content Producer, CoolxDad - Texas, 2021
Graphic Designer, Mother of Mothers, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, Ghana, 2015