Toluwani "Tolu" Akinlabi

Professional Graphics Designer

Highly creative and versatile Graphics Designer with 8 years of professional experience specializing in branding, digital media design, and visual storytelling for both corporate and consumer brands across Nigeria. Proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite and adept at translating complex marketing objectives into impactful visual communications.

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
Tolu Akinlabi

🎓 Academic History

Graduation: 2017

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design

Institution: Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Nigeria

Key Courses: Advanced Typography, Digital Illustration, Visual Communication Theory, UI/UX Principles.

Final Project: Developing a Cohesive Visual Identity for a Nigerian Start-Up FinTech Company.

Graduation: 2015

National Diploma (ND) in Fine Arts

Institution: Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Lagos, Nigeria

Focus: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Colour Theory.

💼 Work Experience

January 2021 – Present

Senior Digital Designer & Brand Lead

The Fusion Agency | Lagos, Nigeria

  • Led the visual identity and digital campaigns for 10+ high-profile clients in the FMCG and E-commerce sectors.
  • Designed and executed a complete brand refresh for a major financial institution, resulting in a 30% increase in online brand recognition metrics.
  • Managed and mentored a team of three junior designers, overseeing project timelines and quality control across all digital deliverables.
  • Created compelling assets for social media, paid advertising (Facebook/Instagram), and email marketing, consistently meeting CTR goals.
March 2018 – December 2020

Graphics Designer & Visual Communications Specialist

TechNova Start-Up Hub | Abuja, Nigeria

  • Responsible for all internal and external visual communications, including pitch decks, corporate presentations, and event branding.
  • Developed user-friendly UI/UX prototypes for two successful mobile applications using Figma, focusing on intuitive navigation and accessibility.
  • Designed infographics and data visualizations for annual reports, simplifying complex data for investors and stakeholders.
  • Managed the company's asset library, ensuring brand consistency across all 5 subsidiary ventures.
October 2017 – September 2018

Junior Designer (NYSC)

BluePrint Media House | Enugu, Nigeria

  • Assisted in the layout and design of print materials, including magazines, brochures, and large-format outdoor advertisements.
  • Supported the creative team with photo retouching, colour correction, and file preparation for commercial printing.
2015 – 2017 (Part-time during studies)

Freelance Designer

Self-Employed | Lagos, Nigeria

  • Completed over 25 individual projects, primarily focused on logo design and small business packaging for local enterprises.

🛠️ Skills

Core Software

Adobe Creative Suite 95%
Figma 90%
Sketch 85%
After Effects 70%

Design Disciplines

Branding & Identity 98%
Typography 95%
UI/UX Design 90%
Digital Illustration 88%

Design Expertise Distribution

Project Type Experience

🏆 Awards & Certifications

Awards

2023: Lagos Design Gold Award

Best Digital Branding Campaign

2021: Creative Contributor of the Year

The Fusion Agency Internal Award

Certifications

Certified Professional in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Certified Professional (ACP)

User Experience (UX) Design Specialization

Coursera (University of Michigan)

Advanced Typography Certificate

Nigerian Institute of Graphic Arts (NIGA)

📞 Contact & Social Media

Phone

+234 803 123 4567

Email

tolu.akinlabi@email.com

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/toluakinlabi

Design Portfolio

www.behance.net/ToluGraphics

WhatsApp Telegram