Interview with David Oku – Fight For Kindness 2025 Guest

David Oku is a London-based illustrator and animator with Nigerian-Italian roots, born in Germany and shaped by a lifelong journey across cultures. His vibrant and expressive work celebrates identity, connection, and joy through bold colours and storytelling. He has worked with clients including Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Adobe, The New York Times, WWF, and many more.

"A burst of colour with a simple truth—Give light. Be kind. Spread love. Let's paint the world with kindness, one act at a time."

Your vibrant style draws from a rich cultural background. How do you connect illustration, colour and storytelling to bring themes to life in your work? And in what ways do you think your multicultural perspective influences how you communicate messages of empathy and connection through your work?

I have always gone against the norm, especially because things have not always worked out the way I wanted them to. That has taught me humility, and it drives me to encourage others to do good as well. My art is a celebration of colour, but I always use it to share a positive message.

I believe my illustrative style really supports my storytelling, especially because I like people to discover the little details I hide within a composition. I also enjoy filling the page and arranging everything in a way that feels connected. This approach helps me communicate with my audience on a deeper level. My multicultural background plays a big role in how I express empathy and connection, because I have experienced different ways of living, thinking, and feeling. It gives me a broader perspective and helps me create work that resonates with people from all walks of life.

In your view, what makes a typographic message truly powerful or unforgettable?

I've always believed in the immense power of words. Words alone can shape thoughts, spark emotion, and inspire change. They have the ability to make us pause, reflect, and even shift our perspective. When that power is combined with the visual strength of typography, it becomes something truly unforgettable.

Typography does not just deliver a message. It gives it tone, rhythm, and presence. It can amplify meaning, evoke emotion, and command attention in ways that plain text cannot. That is where the magic happens, when form and message work together to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. To me, a powerful typographic message is one that not only looks visually compelling but also resonates deeply, emotionally, and intellectually.

In a global initiative like this, many designers choose to work in English to reach a broader audience. Others lean into their native language or script, to connect more deeply with their culture.

Both approaches carry unique strengths. How do you navigate this choice? Do you feel one has more impact than the other?

I think both approaches are powerful in their own way, and I completely understand the choice either way, especially as a mixed race artist who grew up in Africa and later moved to Europe.

Choosing the more intimate route feels natural to me because we live in a world full of different cultures and traditions. Sometimes things can get lost in translation or taken out of context, so leaning into your own language or script can make the message feel more authentic and grounded. It is all about how deeply you want your work to connect, whether that is with a wider audience or with your own roots.

"The most powerful realisation has been understanding how art, whether through illustration, music, typography, or any other form, can deeply move, inspire, and even transform someone's perspective."

Any advice for emerging designers who want to explore typography as a tool to make a positive impact?

Typography is a powerful space to be in and full of potential and creative possibility. It plays a huge role in the design industry, from branding and logo design to editorial layouts, motion graphics, and even custom typeface creation. For emerging designers, typography offers a unique opportunity to communicate with intention and purpose.

My advice is to explore how far you can go by using just type. Learn how it shapes emotion, hierarchy, and tone. Use it not just for decoration but as a tool to tell stories, provoke thought, or inspire change. Whether you're crafting playful letterforms or building a brand's identity, typography can help you create work that has real meaning and impact, so go for it.

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How would you describe your design philosophy today? Has it evolved through the projects you've chosen or the messages you've wanted to express?

I'd say my design philosophy has evolved significantly over the years. In many ways, I feel like I've finally found my voice. For a long time, I doubted my own potential, but through years of dedication, experimentation, and growth, I've reached goals I once thought were out of reach. Today, I no longer see myself solely as an artist. I've grown into the roles of mentor, speaker, and storyteller within the creative community.

The most powerful realisation has been understanding how art, whether through illustration, music, typography, or any other form, can deeply move, inspire, and even transform someone's perspective. For me, that's the true beauty of art: its emotional resonance and its ability to reimagine the world around us. That's the core of my philosophy now, creating not just to express, but to connect, uplift, and ignite something meaningful in others.

How do you hope your work contributes to a more compassionate and inclusive creative industry?

I often describe my work as a collage of many pieces coming together, and that reflects how I see the creative industry too. What I hope to communicate through my work is that when we come together, with our different backgrounds, ideas, and voices, anything is possible. We have the power to create meaningful change and shape a more compassionate and inclusive world through creativity.

This interview is part of the Visual Voices for Change 2025 Fight for Kindness Annual book

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