Damilare, Ijaiye Ojokoro’s 15-year-old Head Boy paving path to success through designs

By Matthew Ogunwale

In a world where teenagers are often defined by their academic pursuits and social lives, 15-year-old Shomade Damilare is crafting a different narrative, one pixel at a time.

By day, he serves as the Head Boy of Ijaiye Ojokoro Senior College, a role that demands discipline and responsibility. By night, and in every spare moment in between, he transforms into Creative Damilare, a skilled graphic designer with a growing digital footprint of over 5,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter).

While speaking to Lagos Voice, His story is not one of accidental virality but rather a deliberate journey of passion, precision, and planning that began with a mother’s pragmatic advice and a brother’s hobby.

From a Mother’s Nudge to a Digital Canvas

Damilare’s foray into the world of design commenced not in a state-of-the-art studio but at a local printing press in Ijaiye. It was the summer following his Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 exams when his mother, like many Nigerian parents, encouraged him to learn a trade.

“I initially thought I didn’t want to learn a trade; I just wanted to finish school and get a job,” Damilare recalls. “But my mum told me, ‘Life doesn’t work that way in this Nigeria.”

Instead of resisting, he saw an opportunity. Inspired by a brother who dabbled in graphics “for fun,” Damilare proposed learning graphic design and printing. His mother agreed and enrolled him at a local preschool. However, the young visionary quickly realised that the designs there were, in his words, “quack and odd.”

“I’m someone who loves to explore,” he states. This innate curiosity drove him online, where he discovered platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google. “I found out that designing is more than just arranging colours and text; there’s so much more to it.”

YouTube became his university. He spent hours consuming tutorials, honing his skills, and elevating his craft far beyond the confines of the local print shop. What began as a summer trade has blossomed into a passionate career, focusing on social media posts, event flyers, and a growing interest in brand identity and logo design.

The Juggling Act: Head Boy, Student, and CEO

Balancing the responsibilities of a Head Boy, a student, and a designer would be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a 15-year-old. For Damilare, it’s a challenge he meets with the mindset of a strategist.

“Leadership has always been a part of me, even though I initially shied away from it. I’ve always adapted to it,” he shares. His secret weapon? A meticulously planned timetable.

“I’ve set aside time for my design projects. Personally, I have a timetable, and I use it to manage my day-to-day affairs. I try to ensure that one commitment doesn’t overshadow the other.”

He acknowledges that while major viral fame has yet to find him, he is intentional about not letting his digital pursuits overshadow his education. “I always make time for my education to ensure I don’t lag behind, and I remember to put God first.”

Overcoming the Hurdles of a Young Visionary

The path of a prodigy is not without its challenges. Damilare openly discusses the obstacles he faces, from creative burnout to being underestimated by potential clients.

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“As a young designer, I encounter many difficulties trying to balance school, leadership, and my desire to excel,” he confesses. One significant issue was visibility, which he has managed to address, but another persists: the dreaded creative block after a long day.

“It’s common to feel blank,” he says, describing the mental fatigue that accompanies a day filled with school and other activities.

Perhaps the most frustrating challenge is the perception of his age. “People often underestimate my abilities because they see me as just a young boy… they assume I can’t deliver at a professional level.” This bias frequently leads to clients trying to undercharge for their services, a common plight for young creatives who must constantly prove their worth.

The Creative Damilare Signature: More Than Just Blue

So, what sets Creative Damilare apart in a sea of digital artists? For one, he has cultivated a supportive community. “I have an edge over other young designers; many people are rooting for me and supporting my journey.”

He also credits his strong writing skills as a unique asset that informs and elevates his designs. If you take a closer look at his portfolio, you’ll notice a consistent element: the colour blue.

“Something notable about my designs is that I love using the colour blue,” he reveals with a smile. “I’d say that’s my signature colour. To me, blue is more than just a colour; it has a deeper significance.”

Inspired by mentors in the digital space like The X Effect, Chimaobi Phil, and Optimum Studios, and armed with design tools he can’t live without, such as CorelDRAW, along with its text, colour, and blur effects, Damilare continues to push his creative boundaries.

His guiding motto? “Creativity at its peak.”
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‎“I can express designs to what I believe is peak creativity and communicate effectively,” he explains. He lives by another powerful mantra: “Age is not a determinant of creativity.” He holds himself accountable with a simple daily question: “What are we designing today?”, ensuring that he creates something new every day.

‎A Legacy in the Making
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‎For Shomade Damilare, the goal extends beyond client commissions and social media likes. He hopes his journey will serve as a blueprint for other young Nigerians.

‎“I want youngsters like me to embrace technology because I believe tech is the new gold mine in the world. Any tech skill cannot be wasted.”

‎He aims for his designs to convey a powerful and functional message that transcends his age. “I want my designs to communicate to the world that creativity is not determined by age, whether for young stars like me or older designers in this industry.”