Roqeebat Abdulwahab found design during COVID lockdown, on her first phone, through a course she could afford. Not long after, she spent two straight days on the floor of her room working on a project — pausing only to pray or eat — and realised she never felt tired. That was the moment she knew.
Based in Lagos, she works at the intersection of clarity and expression — two things that might seem at odds in a city as loud and relentless as hers, but for Roqeebat they're deeply connected. Her Yoruba and Muslim background shapes how she thinks about communication through design: structured, meaningful, and layered. Right now she's translating Yoruba words and phrases into illustrations based on their literal meanings — and the playfulness and depth she's finding there is becoming the heart of her practice.
Can you tell us a little about your first few steps in your career. Was there a moment or experience when you realised this was what you'd do as a career?
My path into design wasn’t exactly linear. During the COVID lockdown, like many teenagers, I found myself exploring different things and trying to figure out what I enjoyed. That was when I stumbled on design. After getting my first phone, I found a course online that I could afford, and I decided to try it. It felt like a small step at the time, but it ended up changing everything for me.
The moment I realized this could be more than just an interest came later, in 2023. I remember sitting on the floor of my room, working on a project for over two days straight, just designing, refining, and figuring things out. I only got up occasionally to pray or grab something to eat, but I never felt tired. I was completely immersed in the process.
At some point, I paused and realized how much I genuinely enjoyed what I was doing. It wasn’t just about making something look good, it was about taking something complex and making it clear and meaningful through design. That was when it clicked for me. I didn’t just like design, I knew I wanted to build a life around it.
What lessons from your career have most shaped your style and approach?
A lot of my approach has been shaped by early experiences that forced me to think beyond the obvious.
One of the most memorable was when I was asked to recreate over 30 country flags using Microsoft Word. It sounds unusual, and honestly, it was. But that experience taught me something I still carry with me today: no design problem is too complex to break down. Regardless of the tool, it’s always possible to find a way to build what you have in mind. That mindset has influenced how I approach my work now, especially when creating detailed visual systems and illustration frameworks. I don’t get overwhelmed by complexity as much, I just focus on understanding the structure and building from there.
Another important lesson has been learning to be bold and confident in my decisions. Being a Black Muslim female creative, I’ve become very aware that I often have to go a bit further, whether in how I present my work or how I show up in creative spaces. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my perspective, speak up when necessary, and stand by my ideas. It’s something I’m still growing into, but it has definitely shaped both my style and my approach to design.
Tell us about the core values or philosophies that guide your creative practice.
One of my core values is to create impact through my work, whether directly or indirectly. I don’t want to be known only for making visually appealing designs, I want my work to influence people in meaningful ways and communicate something that goes beyond aesthetics.
I also strongly believe in continuous learning and growth. Design is constantly evolving, and I think it’s important to stay open, not just to new tools, but to new ways of thinking. In a time where many visual outputs can be automated, what sets a designer apart is their ability to think, to solve problems, and to bring intention into their work.
For me, it’s about doing good work, staying curious, and evolving alongside the changes in the industry while still holding on to what makes the work meaningful.
What needs to change, so emerging and under-represented creative professionals have more opportunity, are seen and heard?
I think access is still a major challenge. The industry can sometimes feel closed off, where opportunities are more visible to people who already have connections or are part of certain circles. For emerging and under-represented creatives, this can make it harder to be seen, even when the work is strong. I believe there needs to be a more intentional effort to create inclusive spaces, where people from different backgrounds and regions are welcomed and given visibility.
At the same time, I also think creatives have a role to play in how they show up. Sharing your work, contributing to conversations, and being present in creative communities can make a big difference. It’s easy to stay in a comfortable space, but visibility often requires a level of openness and consistency.
So, I think it’s a combination of both, building more accessible and inclusive platforms, and encouraging creatives to actively participate and put their work out there.
How important is it that creative professionals find their unique voice?
I think it’s very important for creative professionals to find their unique voice. It’s what makes the work distinct and gives it meaning beyond just visuals.
At the same time, I don’t think it’s something that needs to be forced or rushed. It develops naturally through exploration, consistency, and experience. Over time, as you learn more about what you’re drawn to and how you think, your voice begins to take shape.
For me, it’s not just about being different, it’s about being intentional and honest in how I create.
Looking ahead, what do you think are the key factors that will influence change for creative professionals?
AI will definitely be one of the biggest factors influencing change, not in the sense of replacing designers, but in how creatives learn to work alongside it. It has the potential to speed up execution, support ideation, and allow designers to focus more on thinking, problem-solving, and direction.
At the same time, I think having a strong presence, whether through social media or creative communities, will continue to shape opportunities. It’s no longer just about doing good work, but also about being visible and contributing to conversations within the industry.
Beyond that, I believe human skills will become even more important. Skills like communication, articulation, negotiation, and perceptiveness will play a major role in how creatives grow. More designers will begin to think beyond execution and step into roles as strategic thinkers, collaborators, and contributors within larger systems.
How much does your city influence your work?
Lagos influences my work in more ways than one. On one hand, the city is bold, expressive, and full of energy, and I think that naturally reflects in my work. There’s a certain confidence and vibrancy that comes from being in an environment where people are so dynamic and unapologetically themselves.
At the same time, Lagos is also chaotic, fast-paced, and unpredictable. In contrast, my work tends to lean towards clarity, structure, and well-thought-out systems. I find myself intentionally creating order and balance in my designs, almost as a response to the environment around me.
So in a way, my work is shaped by both the energy of Lagos and a desire to bring clarity within that complexity.
How much does your culture influence your work?
My culture plays a significant role in how I think about design, even when it’s not always obvious on the surface. As a Nigerian Yoruba creative and a Muslim, I come from a culture that is both expressive and structured, where there is a strong sense of order, respect, and identity, yet also a boldness in how things are expressed.
There’s a richness in the visual and cultural language around me that I’m constantly observing and learning from. It’s a culture that carries meaning even before words are spoken, and that idea influences how I approach communication through design.
I’m currently exploring this more intentionally through a personal project where I visually translate Yoruba words and phrases into illustrations based on their literal meanings. Many of these expressions are metaphorical, sometimes humorous, and often far from what they directly imply. That playfulness and depth in the language is something I find really inspiring, it shows how expressive and layered the culture is.
I think this shows up in my work through a balance of clarity and expression, being intentional with structure while still allowing room for boldness. I aim to represent these cultural influences more clearly and meaningfully over time through my work.
Tell us some of your favourite, creative professionals and inspiring places in your city!
There are quite a number of creatives whose work I admire, especially those who approach design with strong intention and perspective. My brand strategy mentor, Fadhl Yūsuf, has greatly influenced how I think about design beyond just visuals. I also admire Bolutife Awakan and Timileyin Faseyi for their approach to branding and creative direction.
I’m inspired by Orekoya Rukhayat for her exceptionally bold illustration style, and Niyi Okeowo for his approach to pattern design and contemporary African visual expression. There are many other creatives I admire and would love to mention, but I’ll keep that for another day.
In Lagos, I find inspiration in both everyday spaces and curated environments. The city itself is full of energy, contrast, and character, and that naturally feeds into my thinking. At the same time, I’m drawn to quieter spaces like tech hubs, cafés, or even my room, anywhere that allows me to think, observe, and create with clarity.
What should emerging creative professionals keep in mind as they begin their design career?
I think one of the most important things to keep in mind is that the journey isn’t always easy. Growth in design takes time, consistency, and a lot of patience. There will be moments where the work feels difficult or progress feels slow, but those periods are often where the most learning happens.
It’s also important to focus on doing good work and striving for excellence, even when no one is watching. Over time, that consistency builds both skill and confidence.
Most importantly, stay curious and keep showing up. The process may not always feel rewarding in the moment, but it becomes worth it as you grow and begin to see the impact of your work.