Sahara Jones is a graphic designer based in London with a love for working with print and type. Since graduating with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from the University of Hertfordshire, she’s worked in a variety of print and digital design roles and is currently an in-house designer at a Fintech company.
Outside of her day job, Sahara is passionate about working on personal projects and creating design for good causes she believes in, often using typography and visual identity projects as a way to speak out and start conversations. This interest has led to opportunities such as, designing the identity for The Black Report — the first comprehensive report on black start-up founders in the UK. She took part in a design collaboration with HUMAN \, an initiative which aims to build an open-minded community around mental health awareness. They work with creatives to produce artworks through different mediums that raise money for mental health charities. Sahara was also recently selected as one of the nineteen creatives by In Good Company Leeds to create a poster design helping to raise funds for frontline19.com. As she tells us, “I don’t think I ever imagined seeing my work on a billboard for a much-needed charity. It’s just a crazy thought that the work I do in my living room can contribute to much larger conversations that are happening in society.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Sahara is also part of the dynamic design duo of Olly & Franc, an amazing community she started with her friend Jayde-Olivia Sandy. They both help to educate, inspire and instil confidence in others through their own experiences as designers and be the voice for black females within the industry. She has found that, “since starting Olly & Franc, I’ve connected with a lot more women designers, and black women too — that’s something I’ve often found particularly rare in the workplace. It’s been great being able to connect and share what we know and what our journeys have been like.”
We caught up with Sahara recently to find out more about where she finds creative inspiration, favourite projects and her advice for dealing with imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
How did you first become interested in working as a designer?
I’ve always been interested in art and drawing from a young age and this continued throughout my studies. After my foundation year at Ravensbourne University in London, I realised I definitely wanted an element of graphic design to be part of my degree. I studied Graphic Design and Illustration at University of Hertfordshire and have been working as a designer ever since graduating. As much as I love illustration, I was quite discouraged after graduating and didn’t know where that skill could take me, so I decided to pursue a career in graphic design instead.
Let’s talk about your career… Can you tell us about your career path of how you got to where you are now?
Throughout my career so far, I’ve worked as an in-house designer for a range of small companies and large organisations across a mix of print and digitally focused roles. I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside other designers who have been really driven and creative outside of work. That has definitely influenced me, especially in the early stages of my career. It’s why I try to constantly create and share my work on Instagram. My personal projects have gained me a lot more work than I ever thought they would and that’s been a really exciting part of my journey.
Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you approach a new project?
I get a lot of inspiration from just browsing the internet, especially Instagram, but also from switching off! I can get inspired from watching films, listening to music or podcasts, reading books or just from a long walk. I approach all my projects in my sketchbook first, drawing out ideas and taking notes. After that I’ll jump on my Mac and start piecing things together
Tell us about a standout/favourite project that you’ve worked on and why it’s important to you.
In 2020, I managed to have a few stand out projects and I’m so grateful for that. The work I did with HUMAN \ and on The Black Report really meant a lot to me. More recently, being one of the 19 artists to raise funds for frontline19.com with In Good Company Leeds was really special. I don’t think I ever imagined seeing my work on a billboard for a much-needed charity. It’s just a crazy thought that the work I do in my living room can contribute to much larger conversations that are happening in society.
I don’t think I ever imagined seeing my work on a billboard for a much-needed charity. It’s just a crazy thought that the work I do in my living room can contribute to much larger conversations that are happening in society.
How would you describe yourself as a designer and your design style?
I’d describe my design style as clean and thoughtful with elements of delight and playfulness.
Do you feel being has being a woman impacted your career?
I’ve always been very aware that this field was male dominated, but I don’t know if I can put my finger on a particular way this has impacted my career. Since starting Olly & Franc (an initiative I started with a friend), I’ve connected with a lot more women designers and black women too — that’s something I’ve often found particularly rare in the workplace. It’s been great being able to connect and share what we know and what our journeys have been like.
Do you have any thoughts on what should be done to change the lack of diversity and inclusion across the creative industries going forwards?
I think it boils down to people understanding the importance of equal opportunities and building diverse workforces from entry to senior level positions. I don’t think it should be an afterthought. Once we have that mindset then I think different decisions will be made about who is hired for roles and how they’re then given the opportunities to progress within the role and/or the company.
I don’t think it should be an afterthought. Once we have that mindset then I think different decisions will be made about who is hired for roles and how they’re then given the opportunities to progress within the role and/or the company.
A lot of people in the creative industries struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt – have you experienced this and how do you deal with it?
I wish I could say I don’t struggle with self-doubt! I believe everything happens for a reason, so I’ve had to stop talking myself out of things. If I wasn’t good enough, I wouldn’t have been offered the opportunity, so I need to grab a hold of it and give it my all. I’ve got a few friends who will tell me off when I’m too doubtful so that helps too!
If you could go back to the beginning and start your career again what would tell your younger self?
I’d definitely have a lot to say to my younger self! I think mainly I’d say focus less on what the ‘industry’ portrays as successful and decide what it looks like for myself. Also, stop thinking a career has to be a linear path and accept that it can look different to what you initially thought without meaning it’s failing.
Which female designers have most inspired you?
I’ve definitely been inspired by Caterina Bianchini: Studio Nari. I also really enjoy the work Paula Scher has done for The Public Theater over the years too.
Can you recommend 3 other female creatives currently working in the industry who you find inspiring!
- Emily Atwood @the_em_dash
- Chelsea Alexander @chelsmells (I particularly enjoy her more illustrative pieces)
- Claudia Rubin @clauisru
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Article by Helen Tong
Shillington graduate Helen Tong is one of our amazing DesignbyWomen collaborators. This article forms part of series of features, written by Helen, focused on celebrating the work created by creative women of colour.