Good design goes a long way. It can make or break a product. It can catch your eye. It can turn you off. No matter what, it makes you feel. That's exactly what happened when we saw Neo Khama's work. Beautiful, clean, global-reaching, and thoughtful. Neo is an art director and designer who has been able to gracefully translate her art into stunning design. Born in Botswana, she has done stints in Hong Kong and Shanghai and currently calls London home. Being a citizen of the world has meant that she's been able to reach a wide range of brands including little known Vivienne Westwood and Christopher Kane. We're just kidding, obviously!
Read on to find out why Neo Khama is a Daring Creative.
We know who you are, but tell us who you are in your own words:
Designer and art director by trade, I love fresh, understated design that looks good but is highly functional. I believe its important to take note of both the big and small things in life and appreciate everything that's thrown in your direction. Travel is my biggest inspiration but home is where I nest and where I am my most creative.
When did you decide to pursue your current career path?
I actually studied law at university and was on route to becoming a small cog in a very big law firm. However, after landing a random summer internship at a London modelling agency, I became set on a different path. I stayed in London, working within fashion and entertainment PR for a few years, whilst doing a design course part-time. After a few design commissions I made the decision to freelance as a web and graphic designer and eventually start NK LAB.
How does the city you live in influence your creativity?
Everything within a city can inspire you in someway, whether its sounds, sights or smells. I have lived in a few different cities and still travel a lot between them, and I definitely take aspects from all of them. When I am London, it's often the people and the overall vibe that's inspiring as I find it one of the trendiest and fastest moving cities. When I lived in Shanghai, I used to love walking around French Concession and appreciating the architecture and the slight old-world feeling that you get from being there. In Gaborone, whilst it's not the most vibrant or culturally inspiring city, the quiet, nature and freshness often results in me doing my best work because I am able to gather my thoughts clearly without distraction. Hong Kong, in fact had a great mix of both aspects in that its such a buzzing city with so many exciting and vibrant facets. But a short taxi ride away are the most beautiful and quiet national parks full of nature, awesome views and deserted beaches.
In your words, what does it mean to be a “creative”?
Being a creative has so many meanings but I think overall it's using your ideas and imagination to come up with results. I definitely don't subscribe to the thinking that only artists are creatives, I think the net is cast much wider than that, and some of the best creativity has come from scientists and philosophers.
What is the biggest misconception about what you do?
One of the biggest misconceptions about working for myself is that people believe I am 100% on my own time and can therefore do whatever I want, whenever I want. This is definitely not the case and it takes a lot of self-discipline to not only get to work every day but actually be effective and efficient. Not to mention the fact that while I don't have a single “boss”, I have several in my clients.
What was the biggest opposing force that you encountered on your creative journey?
I don't think this is as relevant nowadays with the internet being as prevalent as it is, but when I was younger I really felt pushed into a corporate career path. I never aspired to work in a creative [field], not because the different industries didn't interest me, but more that I wasn't really aware of all the varying jobs and positions available. A lot of my friends became lawyers or bankers, so for me, breaking from the mold and doing something different took a lot of courage and a major push.
In thinking about the things that you have created, is there something that you hated but the public may have loved - and perhaps purchased?
Nothing specific comes to mind, but all too often you reach the end of a project and you are kind of sick of looking at what you produced because you have been looking at it for so long and it no longer feels fresh, innovative or inspiring.
What has been the pit and peak of your week so far? (a low and a high moment)
The peak is my week is definitely getting an exciting interior e-commerce project I have been working on for a while with a long-term client off the ground. It's still early days, but we are launching a first phase site later this week. My pit is most definitely two days of creative block where I wasn't able to do any concept design work.
Who is someone famous that you think is killing it at the moment? In other words, is there someone whose career you admire?
One of my favourite designers is Mary Kantranzou. I think she has an amazing brand and signature that reads through all of her collections. Her ability to work with print and colour is incredible and I really think she brought digital printing in fashion to the forefront and is so innovative. I always look forward to seeing what she comes up with each season.
Finish this sentence:
I want people to remember me as: fun, dedicated and compassionate.
If I only had 24 more hours to live, I would do: something that involved family, friends and food.. maybe a huge family style meal at Yauatcha, or somewhere I can watch the sunset and/or sunrise.
I couldn’t live without my: Macbook pro – it goes everywhere with me and has been known to set off a few meltdowns when its been out of commission...
For more on Neo Khama including her portfolio, check her out here.
Photos by Daisy Honeybunn.