Detached from light, attached with sound

Now that I’m changing, just moving on, you’re trying to tell me you were wrong…

Right from the beginning of my university life, I’ve been at a disadvantage. Or so I believed. I thought I wasn’t on par with others around me; I felt defeated at times.

Why? My eyes. To be medically accurate, I was diagnosed with ‘Detached retina (retinal detachment)’, according to my doctor. A thin layer at the back of my eye had become loose, needing swift treatment before it could permanently affect my eyesight.

Sounds crazy, right? Something out of a film or TV series. Experiencing something like this gives you a new perspective. ‘If something doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger isn’t that the saying? Now that I’ve experienced it first-hand, I truly believe it.

We’re taught from a young age that to draw, paint and write, one needs 20/20 vision. But for me? I was 10/10. Becoming an airline pilot was not a career I could consider. Did I let it get to me and affect my work ethic? Hell, no.

I started to explore other avenues where I could express my creativity. As I could no longer rely on my eyes, I started to love my ears. Turning to Facebook (it was 2009) I found others who shared my interests, including my passion for music. It still has a central role in my life.

I stumbled across someone who shared my Facebook likes and views — with matching passion. I was honoured as I got given my very first opportunity to put together a piece of artwork for the world.

Like any good designer, I took a briefing call, jotted down the specifications and started to draw. I came up with one concept after another… Would the client like it? Would the client need another version? Maybe I’d create one more option…

I presented ten different options, of which the client chose just one.

A music producer called Shayal. He’d just wrapped up recording a song with an amazing singer, Ginuwine. The song was called ‘Baby’, the title song for his album. And the artwork on the front was mine. Well, he contributed a bit. But it was mine!

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the final piece of art. This is where my design journey really began.