05/06/2025
I'm honoured to say I was asked to share my thoughts with It's Nice That regarding how Get Z feels about the future of the design industry. I try to toe the line between an honest candour and optimism for the future.
Morola Oyefesobi, digital designer
Entering this industry felt like being pushed out of a plane without a parachute; disorienting, directionless, and daunting. I scrambled to build a network as quickly as possible. I went to events such as Design Truth and Nicer Tuesdays, did portfolio reviews, etc. I’ve attended many events as one of the few Black people in the room. This isn’t an accurate representation of minorities in the industry, but may show a barrier to entry that dissuades these voices. Resources like Step promote roles to designers from these marginalised communities to help provide a leg up. Groups like Where are the Black Designers? showcase Black talent in the industry. You learn quickly that the industry is small – everyone knows everyone. You do the best you can to put your name out, make connections without expectation, and believe it’ll come in time.
When you’re stressed and applying to hundreds of applications a day, it’s easy to forget why you fell in love with design. Beyond layoffs and cut budgets, I’ve felt a hopeful spark shoot back through the industry. If Jony Ive’s midas touch on the Airbnb redesign is anything to go by, we may be heading towards a burgeoning era of design.
The goal had always been to become a full time designer at a design studio, somewhere like Blond or Morrama. But I’m starting to realise success isn’t cut one way. I plan to reap the fruits of my current labour and cement myself as an established designer / writer in the future.
