About Me

Hi. I'm Okang’a Ooko, fine art professional, independent Art Director, full-time freelance Senior Graphic Designer, Writer, and Video producer from Nairobi, Kenya. I've been working in the creative industry for more than 20+ years and I’m armed with rich experiences of managing the complete design process, from conceptualization to delivery. I am the founder of obakunta.co.ke. I am a well-rounded creative person, able to stretch the boundaries of web design and digital storytelling to help my client’s brands stand out. I work to create and improve visual communications in local and global markets both online and offline. And I demonstrate success in producing high-quality creative products including printed media, social media visual content, and general marketing materials. Over the years I have had experience as a freelance and in-house graphic designer, and I have worked on a range of print, interactive and digital design projects.

Expertise in:
Primary design tools: • Adobe Indesign • Adobe Photoshop • Adobe Illustrator • After Effects • Adobe Premiere • Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint • Google Slides • Google docs. • Apple Keynote • Apple Pages

My skills include:

• Graphic design

2D Designing, Corporate Design, Print Design, Illustrations and Fine Arts in various media. (Print Designs/marketing collaterals, Layout design: annual reports, magazines, menu, newsletter, etc Design mockups- Marketing assets, Ebook mockups, web graphics iPhone mockups, or any device).

• Photo Editing

Selecting, editing, retouching, and positioning photographs for print and web marketing collateral, ensuring consistency and alignment of image tone with brand messaging. Editing raw photographs using Adobe Photoshop.

• InDesign Typesetting

I have 20+ years of experience typesetting experience in the publishing industry, with experience ranging from Production Artist to Design Director, including ebooks. Over the years I've typeset numerous Fiction, Non-Fiction, book interiors. I have extensive experience using Adobe InDesign and I'm very well-versed in creating and analyzing design specifications and layouts. My files use all of the automation features InDesign offers, resulting in consistently accurate, professionally designed and typeset files.

• Ghostwriting

Words are my muse and I use them to speak volumes of emotions and feelings, all with the ultimate goal of helping my clients. I am widely read on a variety of topics and have an extensive academic background in the arts and social sciences. Knowing exactly what to say is crucial in today's media driven world. I am a writer gifted with creativity. I am proficient at creative writing, content writing, and ghost writing. My writing services cover: Fiction and non-fiction ghostwriting • Creative writing • Content Development • Christian Books • Copy Articles Memoir & Biography • Research • Technical ghostwriting • Promotional ghostwriting • Business • Personal Development books • Product description and labels • Sales copy • Academic Writing • Newsletter • Blog writing Book Review & Consultation

• Editing & Proofreading

I am a professional book editor in English, offering proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing services. I work closely with authors and brands to clarify and improve the quality of their message. I also offer transcription services.

I am a committed and hard-working professional and look forward to working with you. I offer honest, original and high-quality work on time according to your specifications. With my keen ability to spearhead challenging projects, combined with my steadfast commitment to top-notch creativity, I am prepared to excel in providing outstanding services to your company.

If I seem like a match for you, don’t hesitate and hit me up a message or (perhaps) an interview invitation. I’m always open to discussing new projects. I would be thrilled to offer you my pallet of skills and expertise to help you expand your idea to the best result possible. I can provide you with a complete range of solutions that will enhance and help your business grow and your business identity stand out.
I look forward to discussing the position, and my qualifications, in further detail.

My Graphic Designer Portfolio

Download the detailed 2023 Graphic Design Portolio here .

My Author/ Writer CV

Download the detailed Writer/ Author curriculum vitae here. To view my full credentials, please visit my LinkedIn page .

	Author @ www.okangaooko.com August 1992 – Present (24 years) Nairobi, Kenya Author, novelist, short story, ghostwriter, freelance writer
	Lead consultant Lake Victoria Writers' Group, Kisumu, Kenya February 2012 – December 2014 English, writing, and graphicl arts instructor • Creative Writing Consultation and Workshopping • Coached new writers • Consulted with authors and publishers on the development of book-length manuscripts • Published short, creative prose and poetry in numerous magazines and online venues.
	Founder, CEO, President, Creative Director Oba Kunta Octopus, Nairobi August 1995 – Present (26 years) • Assists fellow writers, authors, students, academics and storytellers to polish their work to its brightest shine. • Offer writing, editing, proofreading, eBook conversion & distribution, contractual publishing services to writers, publishers, students and companies • Develop, edit and maintain a corporate Intranet to enhance software support reference and efficiency. • Graphic design and print design coordinator - layout, cover design and interior illustrations and text formatting. • Manage all aspects of digital book publication, including design, pre-press preparation, and quality control. • Acts as a print broker and project manager for publishers, self-publishers, and literary magazines. www.obakunta.co.ke
	January 2006 - September 2010 Senior Designer - Mashariki Brand Communication Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya • Consulted with authors and publishers on the development and publishing of more than 100 book-length manuscripts. • Conceptualized, designed book covers, did typesetting and book/magazine layouts, wrote, illustrated and published nine original books as the sole ghostwriter. • Worked for many organizations documenting case studies and writing mission statements, company profiles and conducting research studies. • Managed corporate accounts. • Led marketing efforts such as direct mail campaigns, in-store promotions, and surveys. • Performed all lead roles in creative services and marketing for the agency. • Performed ley role in the design and production of print, identity, packaging, multimedia, web design and web applications. • Managed press checks, art directed photos, supervised design teams . • Maintained production schedules and budgets. • Trained, supervised and provided art direction for junior designers. • Managed multiple, concurrent projects in different stages. • Designed information architecture and user interface for on-screen applications. 2000 : Design Consultant FIT Resources Ltd. Taught multiple product design courses for middle metalworking industries and designed products for small scale food processors and successfully transfered the technology to the informal sector via existing informal linkages. 1999 - 2000 : Product Design Consultant Technoserve Inc. Directed a team of designers, development workers and small scale traders in the design and participatory development of mobile food carts that were later licenced by the Nairobi City Council as mobile food kiosks to try and solve the lack of operating premises by Small and Micro Enterprise (SME )traders. 1998 : Creative Consultant FIT Uganda Ltd. Actively participated in the complete redesign of all presentation, print and web based communications for an ambitious internet-based development project. Imparted product design skills to Uganda Manufacturers Association. 1994 - 1998 : Private Tuition for Various Nairobi Schools Academic co-advisor to high schools: taught writing and design skills and taught English to foreign students. 1993 - 1997 : Product designer Undugu Society of Kenya Worked mainly as product designer in the design and production of furniture and small functional farming and low-cost house building machines and implements for the benefit of micro and small scale manufacturers. Accomplished a major research project and published Scrap Metal Recycling: A Product Development Study of Shauri Moyo - Kamukunji Jua Kali in 1995.
	Graphic designer in various employment capacities August 1993 – Present (24 years) Nairobi, Kenya

Publications

Currently	Working on The New Girl In Mombasa, novel
April 2020	Hunter and Gatherer, novel
December 2019	When You Sing To the Fishes, novel
July 2018	Bengaman, novel
October 2017	Business Woman's Fault, seven stories
January 2016	Happy 9th Birthday, horror novella
June 2013	Kiss Ya Bangongi, short story
July 2011	Rude Awakening, short story
July 2009	First and Second Rhythm Guitars in an Old Benga Song, short novella
October 2006	Why No One Knows Where Death Lives Papyrus Artists Organisation, kids short story, audio podcast
2005	Infinity Eulogy for my friend Martin Owino, Hawi Magazine Volume I, Lake Victoria Writers' Group, poem
August 2004	Moni Afinda Published in Eve Magazine, short story
June 2004	Innocents Longings, Dangerous Fulfilement First published in www.voicenet.org, poem
May 2002	The Proposal Published in Black Voices Online, short story
2001	Adventurer Published in Lady magazine, short story
1998	Pollution Control of Small –Scale Metal Industries In Nairobi, Final Report of Small –scale Metal Industries Environmental Pollution In Kenya , research study for International Labour Organisation (ILO)
May 1997	Scrap Metal Recycling, A product development study of Kamukunji Jua Kali Sector Published by the Undugu Society of Kenya research paper
November 1996	Kichorochoro Published in Flash, newsletter of the Undugu Society, issue no 98, short story
May 1995	Running Wild Published in Flash, newsletter of the Undugu Society, issue no 55, short story
September 1993	Now The Sun Doesn’t Shine Kenya Polytechnic Drama Club, an AIDS allegory with ritual drama, play in three acts