Today we’d like to introduce you to Nneka Roberts.
Hi Nneka, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It was inevitable. I was born in what I think is the coolest era, the 80’s, and in the city that never sleeps, New York City, surrounded by diversity and a naturally creative family with Caribbean influence. I was the baby in a household full of adults that played instruments, were rappers, sound engineers, painters, illustrators, dancers, and fashion designers. As a young girl, I can’t say art was my calling. Being around music plus the help of music videos as I always thought I would be a dancer or deejay. I was heavily influenced by music especially with the help of my uncles being able to hang out with them in their basement recording studio. If not in the studio, I‘d be watching my mom sew learning how to create my own doll clothes, watching my aunt dance Off-Broadway in Manhattan, to watching another aunt paint on canvas’. There was always something happening with the matter of the minds’. Being around so much talent would allow me to experience many creative outlets but I always found myself doodling, and drawing on a sheet of paper not realizing it was the start of my creative path. I was told I was always artsy and began drawing from a very young age but not until I was a preteen, I became more invested in art.
In 1989 my mother and I relocated to Dallas and still on the learning path I became a fit model for the apparel company she was currently working for and got paid for each outfit modeled but was a little too shy for that path. Once I got to Highschool I realized that I was more advanced than the average in the arts and with the help of my Advertising teacher I recognized that art was the right fit for me.
After Highschool, I didn’t dive in immediately but did attend Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) to get my liberals out of the way. Then, I transferred to Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus in New York City to receive my BFA in Visual Communications with a major in Graphic Design. As I think about that time in my life, even though I was so invested in my creativity I can’t help but to remember, how many times from school counselors, advisers and teachers would say, “Are you sure you want to apply to Pratt? It’s such a hard school to get into”. Not only did I get in, but Pratt sent me an acceptance letter to attend a semester earlier than anticipated.
Through high school and college, is where I found my fighting spirit and never-give-up attitude. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I truly believe your younger years of your life really does mold you for your future and the possibilities, and opportunities you create for yourself.
After college I maintained 2 jobs, creatively hustled, went from agency to agency until I landed my first official full-time Design/Production Job in Valley Stream, NY for $8.25 per hour. Yes… but you must start somewhere. I worked there for a little over a year and eventually found my way back to Dallas where my career leveled up bringing my goals and visions into reality. Now my clientele hails from Dallas, Houston, Canada, New York, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Africa to England. I wanted my work to be seen internationally whether it’s design or fine arts and it’s a true blessing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I won’t say it has been a smooth ride, but it has been a blessed one. There are life-changing decisions you have to be able to make. I see a lot of people go back and forth with themselves on when they should start their own business, if they should, or the fear of the idea deters them from doing so. I had a lot of fear when I was in the process of making my decision and it took me around 2 years to finally just say ok it’s time to do this on my own. I had the skills, the tools, and equipment, why not? My decision was when I was going on my 7th year working for a franchise company in Plano, Texas and it was a combination of not being able to be my full creative self and losing a coworker whose last wish was for me to actually follow though to start my own business and be the best I could be for my daughter, who was 2 at the time. It’s very scary to leave your comfort in the workforce to the unknown world of entrepreneurship but with faith, lots of prayers, and fighting spirit you find the strength to see it through. Many days I find myself doubting if it was the right decision but all that stemmed from fear. You can’t be afraid to fail, you can’t be afraid to make mistakes, you can’t be afraid of what you can’t see, and equally if not most important never be afraid when people can’t see what you see. It takes courage no matter what adversity you face. In a nutshell that’s life. How can you be afraid of life… you must live it and why not pursue your dreams while you do. Along the journey, you find many obstacles, especially where the next dollar may come from, or perhaps you don’t get the respect you acquire from your peers just because you do work for yourself on your own schedule. Sometimes you may find that there is more testosterone in the business field and may not be taken seriously as a woman or even a woman of color who is degreed in their profession. There are many things you may face along the journey, but you must dig within and stay true to yourself and path. It’s still easier said than done but it’s a must to do whatever you can to fight through the obstacles and know that every encounter is only to get you prepared for the next level. It also helps to have a strong support system that keeps you encouraged and focused through your toughest times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a true artist and a creative entrepreneur. I could be listening to music, watching a movie, or see a blank wall and my mind would still be dissecting lyrics, thinking of how to make that movie scene better or what mural I could paint that wall. I can’t imagine a world without creativity. In a perfect world, I would clone myself so that I can tackle every aspect of art humanly possible.
I currently have 3 businesses: NYO Designs (New York Original Designs), TheArtistNYO, and Moze’ by NYO. NYO Designs is my freelance graphic design company where I specialize in flyer design, logo, and branding development, illustrated videos, promotional video production, banner designs, design consultation, promotional services, websites, and printing services to name a few. Pretty much anything that needs to be designed digitally I provide the service for. TheArtistNYO is the fine arts and sculpting company where I sell my original artwork from illustrations, paintings, self-portraits, and sculptures. MOZE’ by NYO, my newest venture, is a collaboration with my mother. With Moze’, I draw and paint on unprimed canvas, then she sews the pieces into handbags. Each style of bag is original art and never duplicated. I also sell customized & original art on mugs, coasters, and t-shirts.
Amongst my peers, I am known as the flyer designer. I came onto the event/entertainment scene in 2014 with a different eye by telling stories through visuals I created for the event flyer. By a glance, you should be able to know what kind of event it is and get excited to attend. Over the span of 8 years of NYO Designs, I have created over 1200 flyers. MY favorite request is when a client requests me to “NYO it”, meaning please make me a one-of-a-kind flyer that is the most creative but sensible possible. It adds pressure to the job but that’s when the best work is produced. Flyer designs for events are very competitive since there are thousands of events in a night, especially in major cities. I always strive to think out of the box so that each design is different and stands out whether I am competing with myself or a fellow designer.
I am most proud of myself, especially when I turned 40. I started to reflect on my accomplishments and remembered things I’ve forgotten along the way. I find that many people don’t know how to celebrate themselves and I was one of them. I’d do something and just move onto the next chasing the grind not really letting pivotal moments sink in. Taking the time to see where I came from to where I am now, I’m so proud of my journey. From state competitions, while attending Duncanville Highschool, to all the different things I created at SFA such as marble rock carvings, gold & silver jewelry bracelets, and rings, to drawings displayed in the school art gallery to relocating back to New York in 1999 to attend a prestige arts institute. I can’t remember how but I found myself staging photo shoots in abandoned buildings across Brooklyn with aspiring rap artists, traveling to Spanish Harlem taking photos on rooftops and subways to then design EPs and singles. Not only did I establish roots in my hometown but also traveled to Maryland and D.C. meeting clients through a Maryland-based promotional company and still managed to hold two jobs until I had my big break. It was beautiful, especially looking back reminding myself how brave and inspired I was during that time. After building a foundation in NYC, I moved back to Duncanville to embark on further opportunities like building prop stands out of plywood for the local recreation center and reggae festivals to designing for the Disney Institute project through a local college. Soon after I’m seeing my work in grocery stores, billboards throughout the Dallas Area, a Dallas Morning News spread, Teen Vogue Magazine, and fast-forwarding to pre-Covid art shows in Houston.
I’ve been creating for over 20 years, and I still have so much more to produce. It’s an exciting feeling when you can just sit and remember your accomplishments and what you went through to achieve them.
What sets me apart from others is my personality. I am very personable, and I really do care about each project whether it’s as simple as a business card to designing a catalog. I really do care and want my clients to be happy and satisfied with the final product. What I design is not only a reflection of them but also of me. Some designers get frustrated or impatient with their clients, but their vision matters and an understanding of their process as well as yours is very important.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Never, Never, Never give up. I can understand moving on to something greater but don’t give up on your goals. There have been many times where I wanted to throw in the towel but then my faith would get restored, the universe may even send me a sign but most importantly you don’t give up. Remember your reason why, how you felt when you made the decision to become an entrepreneur, think about the long-term win and think about your support system too. Remind yourself of your passion and your mission. You don’t want to look back at life and think of regret and missed opportunities. Keep going. It may not be the easiest or prettiest road and not everyone will understand your journey but it’s yours to take and to create your own destiny.
I wish I dreamt bigger, but God was definitely in control. I wouldn’t change the path but just greater aspirations and goals as everything happens in the right timing and season. I would be kinder to myself since there’s no such thing as perfection, grasp an early understanding of boundaries in business, and establish the importance of a positive filled environment which is key as a creative. I could make a full list of “starting out” bullet points but to put it simply, take your dreams, dream it big, and dream it loud without any apologies.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nyo.graphics
- Instagram: @nyo.designs | @mozebynyo | @theartistnyo
- Facebook: NYODesigns by Nneka
- Other: www.mozebynyo.com and w
ww.theartistnyo.com
Image Credits
NYO Designs
TheArtistNYO
Moze’ by NYO
