We interviewed this week’s features Creator, Aldo Smith from South Africa, and he told us about one of the challenges he overcame—load shedding! We believe that challenges make us more unique and can inspire creativity in people. Aldo directly confirms this theory.
Get to know more about Aldo and his experience through his answers to our five creator questions this week.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Aldo Smith a Digital Designer based in South Africa and I work in a digital space to provide products, services and even people with an opportunity to present their brand or themselves on a professional level. This includes graphic and UX/UI design, photography, some fun with video and hopefully everything in between.
How did you get started?
My journey started in high school when I had Design as a subject for fun and IT as my main focus, but it soon became clear I was more interested in the details of design. I shifted my focus, but still had a love for technology so I combined the best of both interests. As for our website, it simply started as me just wanting to help my sister with professional representation and the next thing we know it is a popular little local store with thousands of followers.
What sets you apart?
Something I like to create with clients is not just a professional relationship but a personal experience as well. I consider myself quite the people pleaser, proficient in looking at the bigger picture and even a little bit of a perfectionist. Therefore if a client can flaunt their final designs I know we’ve reached a milestone to be proud of together.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Being a digital creator in South Africa had a big challenge over the course of my studies and still presents a challenge today. Namely loadshedding that most of the world doesn’t really experience (interruption of electricity supply) which is self explanatory for someone who works exclusively from their computer or needs to charge equipment. On a more personal note, I noticed I had something I refer to as “design commitment issues” where I had so many ideas for a single concept that I almost didn’t allow myself to get to the execution of said ideas.
Do you have any tips for other creators?
Being prepared is one of the best things one can do for yourself. So with that in mind, two tips I can pass down to fellow or new creators is firstly that research is your best friend in this line of work. It will provide perspective and insight to similar concepts as well as inspire you to develop those and your ideas even further. Secondly it is to learn and know your software. Most creators nowadays use very similar tools, but it is how you use these programs that will set you apart.
Check out Aldo’s site here!
Do you like this interview? You can create your very own site too! Start for FREE!
