“Believe in Authenticity”– that’s the headline for Typography Prime, a Creative Market shop that sells handmade illustrations, templates, and watercolor arts. As a shop that started in July 2015, it has been the go-to for amazing graphics and templates and started by the talented Yana Afroz. Today, we’re lucky enough to get to chat with Yana to learn more about her and the journey that she has been on.
Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself and your story?
Hello, my name is Yana and I’m the founder of the Creative Market shop, Typography Prime (est. July 2015). I just love making digital, handmade, and creative templates. When I’m not working, I like to be to with my family and make life sweeter as well as successful. My passion is to spread out extraordinary designs rather than earning.
How did your creative journey start? Is this a path you always knew was meant for you?
A nice past can design a good present, which equals to a sweet future. When I was in school, I used to attend art and writing competitions and was also on “Junior Wall Posts.†I just loved to draw cartoon characters, designing typography on papers, and post on my room’s wall. It was really great fun to me. Through my classes, I got familiar with design software, like Photoshop and Illustrator. I was also very inspired by my family, especially mom and friends, to make my creative dreams come true. It wasn’t easy, but I really tried my best to continue studying and designing at the same time. In 2014, I started getting clients for the first time and successfully completed my MBA with a high score. Now, after two years have passed, I’m happy with my designs and enjoy creating my works! I always loved to work independently without any pressure of others, so being a designer gives me that flexibility– that’s why I think this path is was meant for me.
As an artist, were you self-taught or did you have a formal education?
My childhood art and typography design was the base that truly came in to shape in from 2013 – 2014. In my student life, I started learning Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, color theory, typography etc. by watching lots of video tutorials and reading books. I also attended two formal courses, but I think my personal learning was more preferable and got the expected results that I wanted.
With everything that you do, is there a specific medium that you prefer to focus on?
I am in love with typography. I just can’t move my eyes from great typography designs, so it’s definitely typography.
What’s the inspiration behind your creativity?
I must say that my family supported me a lot since the beginning of my journey. My mom was a great artist and designing was her hobby. Because of this, I was very inspired by her in my childhood and started practicing art. The encouragement from my father and sister also helped me carry on in my journey.
What has contributed most to your growth as a designer?
That’s easy – the endless love and support from family and friends.
What does design mean to you?
To me, design means a lot. It’s my passion, which brings smile on face. Design is like rainbow and birds flying on sky to me. If I think the sky is my canvas, then rainbow is the colors and birds are the art works of designers that gives us amazing result.
Can you explain the process that you go through when designing something?
The first step that I always take is brainstorming. I think over and over before starting any project to make sure it’s what I want then I start to make a list and sketch. After that’s done, I start working on software with the usual edit and re-edit routine. When I’m happy with the editing, I prepare the final product. Wow! It’s done 🙂
What’s your most favorite project so far and why?
One of my most favorite project is 80 Pages Extended Brand Manual with Real Text. This is because it was my first extended product that I specifically made for everyone from different backgrounds to use, keeping in mind huge customization options. That way, many people can benefit from using my brand guideline.
How did you and Creative Market find each other?
Again, I must say my best friend was the reason how I got introduced to Creative Market. After I signed up to get more information about the marketplace, I came to realize that Creative Market was just the perfect platform that I was searching for! Before Creative Market, I worked on other marketplaces and offline but didn’t feel valued. It’s a completely different story with Creative Market because I feel like the company values every single member and I love it. Satisfied by getting an individual identity here on Creative Market, letting know handpicked, wonderful interacting platform with others, super active staffs etc – it really feels like great to be a member of Creative Market.
Do you have any exciting projects that are currently in the works?
SURPRISE! Trying to make something very unique that I have not found yet on any marketplace. I really hope design lovers will enjoy using what I have coming up in the future.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A little piece of my advice is to never give up of your dreams and make a career out of what you really love to do. Try to dig inside your creative world and find out the thing you will love making. Give your focus on publishing outstanding design not just earning then start doing what you have right now and never stop dreaming up. One day, success will reach you!
Keep the conversation going!
This chat doesn’t have to end here! Can you relate to Yana’s creative journey or process? Did you learn something new?
Chat with Yana in the comment section below.
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