Meet Lucy nkosi | Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucy nkosi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucy, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
It is easy to fall into a pattern that prioritizes professional success over personal wellness, especially at the beginning of a promising career. This is what I did in the first few years as a creative. It was always about chasing the next deadline and proving myself to my peers and colleagues neglecting the burn out and mental strain. But now that I have a better understanding of my myself in relation to my work, I have been able to find equilibrium between managing my career demands and personal needs. I always ask myself “is all this stress worth it? How does achieving this benefit me if I’m not in the right state of mind to enjoy it?” – It’s important for me to remember that there are many other layers of my life that need my attention. I am not my work. Prioritizing rest (sleep and meditation) has been beneficial to my mental and physical health, it has allowed me to work better and be more present. Enforcing boundaries has made the balance easier to maintain, for instance, small acts like not responding to emails after work hours unless it is extremely urgent. Doing this has been extremely important for me since working from home. I will however admit that there are a few odd days were the one overlaps the other but overall it has been manageable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career began seven years ago when I joined Essentials Magazine as a graphic design intern. Seven months into my internship, I received an offer from Ballyhoo Media and took employment as a Junior Graphic Designer for the publications; Nubian Bride, Joburg Style, Progressive Leader, and Business Update. Over the course of two years at Ballyhoo Media, I gained widespread knowledge on print production, industry trends, photography, fashion, and the rise of digital media. In 2017, I joined Forbes Africa where I currently work as an Art Director and Layout Artist. Working for a Pan-African business magazine has increased my awareness of the importance of my role in the delivery of these stories, especially to the African market. It has shaped the way I view the industry as a whole and made me realize that there is so much meaning in what we do as creatives, as storytellers. I’ve also extended my creative expertise to other projects which include being a Creative Director for TravelEssence magazine, which is a Dubai-based publication. Working in publishing sparked my passion for storytelling. This partnered with my passion for design and photography made for a fruitful career. It requires dedication and you need to be able to place yourself in each story as the storyteller and as the audience. It has been important to be aware of the changes within the industry and as a creative be able to adapt to those changes whether it be through taking extra courses or collaborating with other creatives. Carving out a successful career required taking the time to understand the purpose of my role and what is required of me. My take is: When you fully understand what it is you do or what you are meant to be doing, you’re able to focus your energy on the next step or phase of your career. You will be able to identify areas that need improvement and take the necessary steps towards improving those things. You also need to understand what it is that makes you stand out and keep working at that –; what I have been working at is my ability to solve visual communication problems effortlessly.

Key lessons: 1. You can never be too prepared for any project. Always do your research, especially if you are about to venture into something new. It allows you to work smarter.
2. Step into every situation with confidence and courage; change and risky situations are there to teach and transcend you to the next level.
3. Read and upskill yourself. There is always something new to learn, better and easier ways to work, especially in the digital space.
4. Finding a mentor or peer whose career you would like to emulate; use them as a blueprint but remember that your path is different.

Every decision and action counts. You can have a fulfilling professional and personal life, one does not have to suffer so the other can flourish.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Karen Mwendera –

She is a rising star in the media industry, I love her dedication to improving the way in which we communicate our stories as Africans. She has also been a great believer in my craft and has supported me throughout my career, since knowing her.

Website: lucynkosi.com

Instagram: @lucynkosi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/lucynkosi/