Creator Spotlight: Princess 🇿🇦
The creative industry is a space for self-expression, individuality and making your mark. Our vibrant creative community is growing by the day, and with that comes many unique perspectives on standing out in the ever-competitive creative industry.
We speak to Princess Kabeya, a 28 years old Digital Designer, on her maximalist style, her ongoing determination to support the African animation industry through her design work, and how to reimagine a more inclusive tomorrow.
Hey Princess! How did you discover the world of animation?
Originally from Kinshasa (the Democratic Republic of Congo), I moved to Cape Town (South Africa) when I was just eighteen. I have always been creative; but, coming from a country where art is not considered a serious career path, I always thought that I would study something like law and be an animator on the side. However, this all changed when I arrived in South Africa and realised they taught art and design in High School.
It was actually one of my dearest friends, who unfortunately passed away last year, who played a huge part in introducing me to the creative world. She took me to her College (The AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town), found a course and helped me apply. As a result, I got accepted to study Creative Communication and further specialised in Graphic Design. However, during my 3rd year, I realised I loved making my graphics move, and that's when my love for animation and graphic design met.
What inspires your creative style?
I get inspired by my culture, journey, and environment and look at different types of creative art, whether it be movies, graffiti or even sport! I think you see many of these influences in my art, especially when it comes to representation. After my BA, I worked for a video content company for two years and realised that I had a lot more to learn about animation. So I went back to school to begin a BA in Animation and Motion Design whilst freelancing on the side. You cannot know everything from school. You need to find your unique way of creating.
You mentioned representation as something that is important to you. How do you see diversity and inclusion standards improving in the freelance world?
Being an African black woman, people tend to underestimate you. They try to take advantage by making you work the most and pay you less because of your race and gender, and background. Most of the time, I feel myself looking at the room and realising that I am either the only black person, the only woman or the only African black woman there. We still have a long way to go, but it is slowly improving. Thanks to social media and the Internet, people have access to amazing work from people worldwide and different backgrounds. The pandemic showed us that we could have people all around the world work on the same project without being attached to any stereotype, big corporate name or studio.
Tell us a bit about how you work. How do you manage your mental wellbeing?
An average day at the moment starts with going to class, coming back home, making dinner for me and my fourteen-year-old brother, whom I am taking care of, then checking my emails and starting on working on my projects. I would say stability, a space to breathe, time with family and friends, unplugging and rewiring my brain is crucial. The pandemic has taught me to stop forcing myself constantly to create. I've learned to let my creativity rest and come back later to try again. I work from home and see my bedroom as my safe space to create and be at peace. I feel the most productive at night since I am a real night owl, and there is peace and quiet.
What are your ambitions for the future?
At the moment, I want to finish my end of year animated short movie and continue working in the creative industry. I want to learn more about directing and produce more animated shorts that cater to Africa. The most rewarding aspect of design is when people connect to your work and understand your vision but also give you recognition. Supporting the African animation industry is one of my key goals, and I think to get there, I will have to create more works of art and get more African talents involved.
Finally, do you have any advice for people starting out in the creative industry?
The hardest thing to overcome is creative block and learning not to compare your creative journey to others. I think one of the best pieces of advice I got was from my second-year lecturer. She realised I had a tendency to focus and overthink small details and struggled to submit finished work, and she told me to first look at the bigger picture then come back for the details. And it helped me as a creator and as a person. So with that advice in mind, I learned to let go and look at the whole. Also, on a practical level, make sure you ask clients for a deposit and ensure they approve every project step. People are shady out there!Fin
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