Creating has always been at the core of what I love to do, so it mattered to me that I find my footing in something I genuinely enjoyed. Before Mono, I started my career as a product designer, creating visual experiences for users and thinking deeply about how people interact with digital products.
I’ve always wanted to be a design generalist and explore beyond just product design. So I started learning visual design: watching videos, experimenting where I could, and learning more about brand strategy and identity design. It wasn’t structured, but it was intentional, and it slowly shaped my interest in transitioning to visual design later on.
My curiosity about how visual design could complement my product design background continued to grow. It may have seemed like an unusual career path, but for me, it was a necessary one, a step toward becoming an excellent, well-rounded designer.
Joining Mono as an Intern
I first heard about Mono through a friend who was eager to experience what it's like to work at a fast-paced, product-led startup, and from that point on, I grew to really admire the company. Fast forward to 2025, when an internship opportunity opened up, she shared it with me, and I decided to apply. I went through the interview process, and I eventually got in.
On my first day, I was excited, but a little nervous too. Thankfully, that feeling didn’t last long. After a warm welcome and a one-on-one chat with my manager, the nerves quickly melted away.
We talked about my goals, what I hoped to learn, and how we’d track progress throughout the internship. Having that level of clarity and support from day one was incredibly reassuring, and it made it easier to settle in and focus on learning.
From there, I jumped straight into my first task: diving deep into Mono’s brand guidelines, researching competitors, and documenting my key findings. It was a solid foundation that shaped everything that followed. I also got to meet different teams across the company, which helped me understand how everything connects — how design fits into product, marketing, and Mono’s broader mission.
The real adventure began when I shadowed senior designers to learn the ropes at Mono, and soon started collaborating on different projects, each one stretching me in new and exciting ways.
One week, I was designing and collaborating on apron merch for an OOH campaign; the next, I was creating a quarterly presentation deck for my team. I collaborated on launch assets for Mono Prove, designed social media templates for OWO, and a year-in-review newsletter for the People team. No two days ever felt the same, and that constant variety kept me on my toes.
Collaboration and team spirit were truly at the heart of the Design team. Everyone was always willing to help, and it was a space where every voice mattered and every opinion counted. I always looked forward to our team meetings.
One of the most interesting turns in my journey was learning 3D design, something I had never done before. With guidance from the team, I learned how to model simple objects, experiment with materials, and play with lighting and camera angles. It was both challenging and rewarding, and it opened me up to an entirely new way of thinking about design.
Each project came with its own lessons, from refining my creative thinking and visual storytelling to communicating design decisions with more clarity and confidence. Every task nudged me a little further out of my comfort zone, and that’s exactly what I was hoping for during my internship at Mono.
My First 90 Days as a Full-Time Visual Designer
In the final week of my internship, the opportunity to join Mono as a full-time visual designer came up. More than anything, I felt grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing within the team.
Moving from interning to full-time brought excitement, but also the quiet pressure of stepping fully into more responsibility. Over this period, I explored different aspects of Mono’s visual design, while also figuring out how I work, think, and contribute more intentionally. Each project became an opportunity to understand not just what I do, but how I approach it.
One of the first things I focused on was becoming deeply familiar with Mono’s illustrative style while also picking up motion design, both of which are key to working effectively as a visual designer here. I also had the opportunity to contribute to product-focused projects across Mono and Owo, and manage the internal social media accounts for the Design team.
Each responsibility pushed me to balance creativity with strategy, consider different audiences, and think across multiple facets of the business. Each task came with its own challenge, from designing newsletters, employee certificates and white paper decks to creating storyboards and designing social media creatives. Some required more structure and clarity, while others encouraged experimentation and exploration of different directions.
A big part of my role has been ideating concepts, researching, exploring ideas, and figuring out the best way to communicate product messaging to our audience. That process has shaped how I approach design, pushing me to focus not just on how things look, but how they work and what they communicate.
One project I’m particularly proud of is the Owo re-engagement initiative. I collaborated closely with my teammates on marketing assets for our Valentine’s Day campaign, created in-chat visuals and meme templates for social media.
Working on visual assets that brought the Owo brand to life was an incredible learning experience. This project taught me how collaborating effectively and iterating quickly can speed up the design process, and how small adjustments can make a significant difference to the final outcome.
Settling into the Culture at Mono
One of the biggest surprises for me at Mono was how effortlessly everyone balanced work and play. People here work incredibly hard, but they also know how to have fun and that energy fills the office - Wednesdays, especially, are never quiet.
Mono’s culture proved that you can produce amazing work while genuinely enjoying the process. The environment is fast-paced but friendly, and structured yet flexible. Everyone’s passion is contagious, and it inspires you to give your best every single day.
I like that our culture is very supportive, and with opportunities to grow within the company.
Reflections & Gratitude
Looking back, these first 90 days haven’t been about perfection; rather, they’ve been about learning, adjusting, and gradually building confidence. Each challenge, feedback, and small win has helped me understand not just what I do, but how I can do it better. I’m excited to keep building on this foundation, take on new projects, and continue to grow alongside the team.
I’m also grateful to Lekan, my manager, and the rest of the team — Damilola, Sherif, Tomiwa, and Abdullahi —for their guidance and support every step of the way.
