Tola TA Alabi @ta_alabi Twitter profile

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Tola TA Alabi

2 years

Intelligent people have books. Interesting people have conversations. Inspirational people have experiences. People who possess all three, have wisdom.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

A web designer is a graphic designer. A UI designer is a graphic designer. An illustrator is a graphic designer. A motion designer is a graphic designer. An animator is a graphic designer. A logo designer is a graphic designer. Graphic design is a parent category, not a stigma

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

I got into the graphic design industry when I was about turning 24. I would be turning 42 this year and I am still in the graphic design industry. This is only important because I was told the industry couldn't sustain and support me for that long. It has.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

I recently recommended two designers for 2 projects that weren't a good fit for me. They both got hired. They didn't hustle, they didn't market, they didn't pitch, they didn't lobby. They simply recieved a phone call saying I highly recommended them. Favour not hustle is key.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

18 years of getting paid to do what I honestly consider play. #logodesign

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Having a keen interest in technology, spirituality and design is a potent cocktail for intellectual stimulation. Technology will keep you learning. Spirituality will keep you humble. Design will keep you expressive.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

This is my first career award, EVER. It came after 18 years of following my inner calling. My point is, the most important validation is that one on the inside - self validation. External validation sometimes takes a while to catch up.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Dear designers, hauling your laptop to a client meeting to show your portfolio isn't a good look. Invest in a tablet, have a print version of your portfolio or send the client an online portfolio link. Whatever the case, please don't backpack your laptop like a homeless person.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

4 months

#NewProfilePic

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

If Adobe, Corel, Figma, Autodesk and Canva suddenly ceasing to exist, means you losing your livelihood as designer, then you still have a whole lot of learning to do when it comes to understanding what it truly means to be a designer.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

You are a 'graphic designer', not a 'graphics designer'. These seemingly innocuous mistakes that go unchecked, subliminally weaken the way you are positioned in the mind of an enlightened client. You never want a client correcting you about what your job is called.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

4 months

If the first task Adam had to perform was to name the animals, then the oldest job in the world is branding.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 month

Start ugly, beauty comes with time. Start messy, structure comes with time. Start confused, clarity comes with time. Start scared, courage comes with time. Start alone, people come with time.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

8 months

When I'm done with a design, and then client comes with more information, for me to "squeeze in".

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Client calls to ask for your rates. Get excited? No, send your ratecard. Client makes an upfront payment. Get excited? No, start work. Client approves work. Get excited? No, invoice for balance. Client pays balance. Get excited? Yes, celebrate a successful project.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

If UX means user experience, then every good designer must do some level of UX design. UX design isn't just a category but an ethical obligation for ALL designers.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

Share your old work. It could be fresh inspiration for someone out there.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Logo dump. Some clients paid me a premium, some a pittance and some absolutely nothing. But you'll never know which one by looking at my portfolio. Never let your payment discrepancies reflect in your portfolio. Options are- excellent work or no work.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

If you were born into a family where there's no: - domestic violence - sexual abuse - drug abuse - alcoholism - abandonment, it doesn't matter your parents financial status, you were born with a silver spoon. Be grateful.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

As you learn the skill of graphic design, also learn the ethics. Graphic designers, it's unethical for a client to insist you copy an existing design and swipe the brand name. Learning to say no to such requests is one way we can impact society and influence positive change.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

People don't hire the best hands for the job. People hire the best hands they KNOW for the job. Believe it or not, in some people's world, YOU are as best, as it gets. So, chin up. Your audience awaits you.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

4 months

Ultimately, the purpose of life is to: 1. Know God, privately. 2. Show God, publicly.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 months

Things like this, to me are worth way more than design awards. When I got into design in 2004, I never would have thought 20years down the line, someone would actually write an undergraduate thesis on my work. God makes ALL things beautiful in its time. Congrats @dejose_jd

Taiwo Salami

@dejose_jd

2 months

I completed my undergraduate Thesis write-up which focused on “Tola Alabi Work”. Tola Alabi has been my role model since I came across one of his interviews on YouTube in 2022. Thanks for the privilege to write about you, sir. @ta_alabi

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

5 months

Unpopular life hack: Spirituality inspires creativity.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Dear designers, Pepsi has rebranded. Please resist the temptation to "school" them by creating your own version of their rebrand. They most likely aren't watching your space. It won't change anything. Move on.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

You don't get better at something by doing it only when you are being paid.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Employers should understand that today's designers and creatives have evolved. They no longer need your cubicles, internet, computers or air-conditioning. They need physical distance from you to be most creative. They need space. This won't change soon. Let them work remotely.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

5 months

Before seeking wealth, learn to think. Before seeking fame, learn to speak. Before seeking intimacy, learn to listen. Before seeking power, learn to read. Before seeking influence, learn to write. Before seeking purpose, learn to pray.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

To be skillful, practice more. To be knowledgeable, study more. To be wise, question more.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

Don't just be a designer, be a creative. It opens more doors.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

Over 18years of designing logos and here are all the circular logo marks I've worked on. Basic shapes never get old.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

8 months

Dear God, save me from the desperation that blinds. Give me, the discernment to tell the difference between an open door and an open trap.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Doing really creative work, doesn't start with opening your laptop; it starts with opening your mind.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

20 People making a VERY GOOD living as Graphic Designers.(For those who believe you can't amount to much doing graphic design) 1. Stefan Sagmeister 2. David Carson 3. Armin Vit 4. Abbott Miller 5. Ellen Lupton 6. Paula Scher 7. Michael Bierut 8. Chip Kidd

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Greatness always starts with obscurity. The problem is, people want to skip the period of obscurity and go straight to being great. That, is impossible.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

The Royal bunch. Crown logo designs

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Serious question: How do people survive without the word of God? I honestly don't understand how.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

BRANDING 101 If you are business owner or designer interested in learning branding, then you MUST listen to this podcast.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

Placing the camels on the box is design. Designing the camels to connect on the shelf is creativity.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Never render a service for free because you are insecure about charging. Render a service for free because you are convinced about giving.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

2 creativity killers, every creative should be careful to avoid.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Logo designers, go the extra mile to put your work in context by mocking up real life applications of your logo ideas. Non designers are not excited by logos on plain backgrounds, they are excited by the possibilities and context that unique mockups provide.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

LinkedIn - a social media platform, where people spend more time congratulating, than connecting.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

This weekend was for speaking.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

I have seen many underdogs become winners, and many write offs become cornerstones. Treat everyone with respect. Dismiss no one.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

Minimalism in design, isn't about exercising the restrain to do less. Minimalism in design, is about exercising the confidence to do just enough. It's about knowing when to stop.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

Dear God, help me to stop wasting the present, worrying about a future, that you've already sorted.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

5 months

Dear God, keep me from success that: Builds my popularity but breaks my personality. Builds my income but breaks my identity. Builds my following but breaks my family. Builds my finances but breaks my fulfilment.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

3 important things many graphic designers take for granted. Their backs- sitting on uncomfortable chairs for long hours. Their eyes - glaring at computer screens extensively without any protection. Their relationships- too work engrossed to make out time those who love them.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 months

Of all the logos I was privileged to design in my 2 decades as a graphic designer, @Badgang_ng has done the most justice to my work in terms of logo application and the brand's visual language consistency. For this I say - thank you.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Design is more psychology than art.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

I'm thankful for the Christian, who opens shop when the Muslim closes to worship on Friday. I'm thankful for the Muslim, who opens shop when the Christian closes to worship on Sunday. They're both a blessing. It's a beautiful world, when we don't loose sight of the harmony.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

The Suble Art of Not Giving a F*ck, one of the best self discovery books I've read. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by 50 cent, one of the best business books I've read. Some will judge the former by its title & the latter by its author. And miss out on value. Judging limits us.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

4 months

The best we can do as men is to plan our days, but God decides the days we have. Thanks for reaching out all the same U.U 🙌

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

As a designer you must transcend clients approving your work simply because they love it. You must aim to get to the point where clients approve your work, even though they don't particularly love it. The goal, is to have their approval because they trust your expertise.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Many designers loose the confidence of their clients not necessarily because of their poor design skills, but due to their poor oratory skills. As designers it's imperative to learn the art of communicating our thoughts and ideas with clear, confident and convincing words.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

One of the biggest dangers in life, is the fact that you'll always find people to cheer you on, even when you're making a fool of yourself.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

4 months

I was watching TV today and came across the Mello Yellow brand for the first time. Felt a rush of inspiration looking at the logo. It's amazing, that so many designers still ask for logo resources to get inspiration. Just open your eyes and see... Inspiration is everywhere.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

Why every good designer should end up as a philosopher.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

The moment you find yourself and accept your call, you send out a spiritual signal that triggers people to desire and search for you. No marketing or publicity required. Paths begin to cross and the necessary people begin to "bump" into you.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

In a world where: Men post their wealth, to prove that they're successful. Women post their bodies, to prove that they're beautiful. Couples post their intimate moments, to prove they're in love. Only goes to prove, that the world today is very insecure.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 months

Read - to get knowledge. Think - to get understanding. Pray - to get clarity.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Your good work is being noticed by people you don't even know are watching. Even without you having a strategy to be noticed, honour always has its way of locating good work. Keep at it.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

Dear client who wants a discount, don't say: "Ahn, ahn your price is too high, please review it. I know someone who'll do way less". Instead, say: "Thanks for letting us know your rate, it's quite higher than we budgeted. What's the best you can do for us?

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Never decide to marry someone till you've discovered those things you don't like about them; then decide if you are open to the possibility of living with these dislikes for the rest of your life. This is one part of courtship that is widely overlooked today.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

3 months

Don't plan to do prizewinning work. Don't plan to do sensational work. Don't plan to do high paying work. Don't plan to do celebrated work. Don't plan to do lasting work. Don't plan to do soft work. Plan to do God's work. Let HIM plan the rest.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

The quickest way to get discouraged as a beginner at design, is by trying to start out unique. Start generic. Master the common. Perfect the basic. When the generic is firmly within your grasp, then you can begin to bend it, into something unique. Something that is yours.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 months

Dear God, please grant me: - A mind, that's willing to learn. - A heart, unburdened with concerns. - A spirit, that's quick to discern.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Graphic design is more than creating flyers and logos.👇

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

If you are just starting out at logo design (first two years), please don't concern yourself too much with telling a "smart" story with your work. The stories you should be concerned about are: - Balance - Hierarchy - Scale - Legibility - Colour - Symmetry - Alignment

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

You become unstoppable, the moment you realise no one is obligated to believe in your dreams, but you.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

No matter the benefits a job offers, if the trade-offs are any of these: - Time for God - Time for family - Time for yourself Then, there are no real benefits.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

You learn to become a design thinker, by developing a keen interest in observing what non designers do with design.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

It's a dangerous thing to start thinking of marriage from the very onset of a relationship, because it distracts you from friendship, which is the seed of an enjoyable marriage. Don't start imagining someone as your spouse, till you can see them clearly as your friend.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

Logo design tips for beginners: Keep your options simple when using shapes and colours. Shapes: explore circles, squares, triangles and rectangles. Colours: explore red, blue, yellow, orange, green and black. Expand your options, as you grow your skill.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Success is obeying God's leading. Failure is ignoring God's leading. Obedience to God is the metrics of success. Not money. Not status. Not achievements. Not possessions. Not fame.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

If people only read this book called Animal Farm to understand it and not just to pass a literature exam; nothing about power, politics and people will ever shock them.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

7 months

Remind your clients about your outstanding payment, as soon as possible. It doesn't make you rude. It doesn't make you desperate. It doesn't make you unprofessional. It's the right thing to do. Don't let them guilt trip you, and don't guilt trip yourself.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Knowing who you are, is called identity. Owning your identity, is called authenticity. Propagating your authenticity, is called audacity. Establishing your audacity, is called prosperity.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

If you're a designer struggling with colours, I strongly recommend you watch Colour Blocks. The personality of each character is a good way to learn colour psychology. You actually might find this more helpful and easier to understand than a paid online course.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

3 lies the devil will tell you every single day of your life, to make you insecure. The lie of mediocrity: that you aren't good enough. The lie of activity: that you aren't doing enough. The lie of austerity: that you won't have enough.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

You've seen yourself scared. You've seen yourself embarrassed. You've seen yourself fail. You've seen yourself cry. You've seen yourself "finish". Hence, it's so easy to take yourself for granted, and lose sight of how awesome you truly are.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

7 things that help you gain clarity in life : 1. Silence 2. Sleep 3. Suffering 4. Sickness 5. Solitude 6. Sorrow 7. Spirituality

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

To my dear multi-talented individual, not everything you are good at, has to be expressed as a trade. Some talents are for personal enjoyment and relaxation. You don't have to earn or build a business around every skill.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

Joining twitter, it hit me how savage, sarcastic, mocking and generally unloving people tend to be in their interactions, replies and responses. The temptation is to conform, but I have resolved to be a light by not adopting the prevailing smart-mouth culture on this platform.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

I'll like to learn to acquire something nice, without displaying it. I'll like to learn to fulfill personal achievements, without announcing it. I'll like to learn to take a good selfie, without posting it. I'll like to learn to be perfectly ok, with the approval of one - me.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

8 months

Remember to be proper. Yes, you're convinced about leaving your job. Be proper, to give a 30 day notice. Yes, you're convinced about leaving a client. Be proper, to tell them you won't be available to work anymore. A big part of being professional, is being proper.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

Hearts. As a designer the heart is hands down my most favourite shape. The heart symbol is probably one of the most emotive, non- religious symbols out there. It's widely understood majority of people in the world as a symbol of love.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

There are 2 pathways to success Strategy: grind, hustle, scheme, sweat, test, lobby... you arrive at success tired and ready for a break. Spirituality: trust, rest, pray, obey, share, give, express...you arrive at success energized and ready for more.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

Marry someone you absolutely enjoy talking to. The blessing of having enjoyable conversations, is the only thing that wouldn't wrinkle or dwindle, as you get older with your partner.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

When you stop competing with other people's lives, you start winning at living yours.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

11 months

It's not your responsibility to "blow" your client's mind or to "wow" them. It's your responsibility, to put your best into your work. What happens afterwards, is reactionary and hence will vary from person to person. All you can guarantee is your effort, not their emotions.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

7 months

NGD is probably one of the most influential graphic design platforms in Africa. However, because we have been taught to despise ourselves and eulogize the west, we do more promotion for The Futur.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

Best advice I've had this year. "Never envy things about which you don't know the full story". What has been the best advice you've had this year, so far?

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

We humans take too much credit for things God orchestrated. Hence we tend to think more highly of ourselves than we actually should.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

10 months

There are two basic things every business person must master in client interaction: 1. How to be firm without being rude. 2. How to be nice without being foolish.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

9 months

Dear Leader, If you can't praise people, you'll lose people.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

1 year

A smart person, is a fast thinker. A brilliant person, is an educated thinker. An intelligent person, is a critical thinker. A knowledgeable person, is an exposed thinker. A wise person, is a discerning thinker. Don't get it mixed up.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

2 years

To the young talented digital artists, trying to make a name for themselves. Start by drawing the thoughts you truly desire to express, not the celebrities and public figures that you desire to notice you.

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Tola TA Alabi

@ta_alabi

6 months

To whom it may concern, remember these 2 things: 1. Only God can truly feel the emptiness, you're experiencing. 2. Only God can truly fill the emptiness, you're experiencing.

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