We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paul Olayinka. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paul below.

Alright, Paul thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it definitely wasn’t like that from day one.

I’m a multidisciplinary creative designer with interests across several fields, including graphic design, photography, videography, branding, and video editing. In the early stages, I explored many of these areas alongside other commitments. That period was very experimental, I was learning, practicing, and taking on smaller projects, sometimes underpaid, to build experience, confidence, and a strong foundation across different creative disciplines.

One major turning point was when I became more intentional about how I positioned myself. Rather than trying to do everything at once, I focused on presenting my strongest and most relevant work in my portfolio. That helped me attract better clients and more aligned opportunities. Another important milestone was learning the business side of creativity, how to communicate clearly with clients, set expectations, price my work properly, and deliver consistently.

As my experience grew, referrals and repeat clients started to replace the early hustle. At that point, my creative work shifted from simply creating to running my work like a business, which made it sustainable as a full-time career.

Looking back, I think the process could have been sped up if I had treated it as a business earlier, narrowed my focus sooner, and learned pricing and client management faster. That said, the early trial-and-error phase was important, it helped shape my versatility, problem-solving mindset, and creative confidence.

Overall, it’s been a gradual journey built on consistency, continuous learning, and growth, both creatively and professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a multidisciplinary creative designer with a strong interest in visual storytelling. My work spans graphic design, branding, photography, videography, and video editing. I got into this field through curiosity and self-driven learning, I was always drawn to visuals and how design can influence perception, emotion, and decision-making. What started as experimentation gradually became a serious craft as I invested more time into learning, practicing, and understanding both the creative and strategic sides of the industry.

Over time, I began working with individuals, startups, and growing brands, helping them communicate more clearly and professionally through design. The core of what I do is helping clients translate their ideas, values, and goals into visuals that are not only aesthetically strong but also purposeful. Whether it’s branding, marketing visuals, social media content, or visual assets for campaigns, my goal is always to create work that connects with the intended

One of the main problems I solve for clients is clarity. Many brands know what they want to say but struggle with how to say it visually. I help bridge that gap by combining creative thinking with structure, ensuring that the final output looks good, feels right, and serves a clear objective. My multidisciplinary background allows me to see the bigger picture and maintain visual consistency across different formats and platforms.
For anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know that I approach every project with intention, attention to detail, and respect for the client’s vision. My brand is built on consistency, reliability, and continuous improvement, and my goal is always to create work that has lasting value, not just visual appeal.

For anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know that I approach every project with intention, attention to detail, and respect for the client’s vision. My brand is built on consistency, reliability, and continuous improvement, and my goal is always to create work that has lasting value, not just visual appeal.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team effectively starts with communication and trust. People do their best work when they feel heard, respected, and clear about expectations. I believe in setting clear goals from the start, making sure everyone understands not just what they’re doing, but why it matters.

People perform better when they feel valued and aligned with a shared vision, so my focus is always on building trust, encouraging growth, and fostering a collaborative culture.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me is seeing ideas turn into real, impactful work. Knowing that something I created helps a brand communicate better or connect with people is very fulfilling.

I also enjoy the constant growth that comes with the process. Every project challenges me to improve, think differently, and evolve creatively, which keeps the work meaningful and exciting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Johnpaulcrtvs
• Linkedin: John Paul.
• Twitter: Johnpaulcrtv