The Fincra Insider invites you into the incredible culture at Fincra, our people and how we work. Meet our people in our Tribe Spotlight series, where they discuss the experiences of working at Fincra, their career aspirations and their challenges.
Osaze: Telling Stories Through Design At Fincra
From studying Information and Communications Engineering in university to trying out his hands in writing, Osaze’s stumble into graphic design was a perfect fit for his passion for storytelling. As a brand designer at Fincra these days, Osaze tells stories by trying to evoke emotions with his designs on marketing and product assets.
“Design is my way of telling stories.,” Osaze says.
It’s been one year since he started doing that for Fincra, where he reveals that he has ‘grown a lot’ and is loving life.
What do you do at Fincra?
I’m a brand designer at Fincra. I create marketing and product design assets, as long as it has to do with design on the team; if I can help, I’ll get on it.
”As long as it has to do with design on the team, if I can help, I’ll get on it.
How did you find yourself in design?
After uni, I went for a one-year design training program; in that period, I interned at a startup as a graphic designer, and I honestly just stumbled into the role randomly, with no plan whatsoever. When I was done with the program, I joined Big Cabal Media, a media house. I was there for almost two years before I joined Fincra. I learned most of what I know now from the media house. I worked on graphic assets, motion assets, and UI/UX, and it was a huge learning experience for me.
What did you study at uni?
I studied Information and Communication Engineering, and honestly, I don’t think it had anything to do with what I chose as my career. When I finished school, I knew I didn’t want to practice engineering; at least that kind of engineering.
Still, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, so I started learning programming, python, HTML, and CSS because I wanted to try Data Engineering. I got a design scholarship from Udacity in that period. I was considering which option would be the best for me, and I discovered that I wasn’t the biggest fan of coding, so design was the obvious choice.
Do the people closest to you understand your job and what you do?
When I initially wanted to enter the field of design, my parents wanted me to get a design degree. My mum, in particular, did not believe I would do anything reasonable in design without a degree to back up my passion.
With time, they understood that in design, it’s more about your portfolio and your willingness to put in the work. They can all tell that I like what I do. I think I’m very lucky to be able to do something that I love and earn a living from it.
What are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about storytelling. That’s why I ventured into design in the first place. I wanted to try writing, but I wasn’t very good at it, so design is my way of telling stories.
”I am passionate about storytelling. That’s why I ventured into design in the first place.
What do you like most about working at Fincra?
Fincra is an enabling environment. I’ve worked elsewhere (before BCM), and I resigned after two weeks. I just knew what I was looking for in terms of a work environment, and that was not it.
For me, growth is super important; an environment where you can do your best and beyond and grow was/is very important. I’ve been at Fincra for a little over a year, and I can say that I’ve grown and learnt a lot, my capacity has increased, and I’m happy to grow with the company.
Favourite part about your job?
I entered the field of design because I liked it. I still really like it, but it’s a sense of responsibility for me. I’ve been designing every day for the past 4 years, and it has become a habit for me at this point. I just HAVE to design
Biggest accomplishment at Fincra
I think it would be designing assets for our first international event – iFX Expo, Dubai. I remember when I got the brief for the project, I was excited but also kind of anxious. It would be the first time my work would be seen by an international audience on a high level. So, I tried to put in my best work. Everything looked so good when the final results came out, and I was extremely happy and proud of myself.
What is one thing you wish you knew before you started working at Fincra?
I think sometimes imposter syndrome comes and goes, sometimes it just comes in waves, and you’re like ‘Godu abeg oo; so I think it would be to take things one step at a time, so you don’t bite more than you can chew.
Describe your work ethic
I try my best to do my job, I try to ensure that I’m not a blocker to anyone, and I try to be as professional as possible. I also try my best to be someone people want to work with.
What other cool stuff do you do outside of work?
I go to the gym; I try to be as active as possible. I also read a lot of fiction and fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. I also enjoy graphic novels.
Best advice for new joiners at Fincra
Fincra is an awesome company. We take the phrase ‘everybody is their own CEO’ here’ very seriously, so it’s in your best interest to do your best and put out work that you’d be proud of in time to come.
”Fincra is an awesome company. We take the phrase “everybody is their own CEO here" very seriously.
