Moving continents
After incredible seven years living in the Middle East, it was always going to be hard to start anywhere else new. But last summer, the time came to leave our beloved Jordan for Lusaka, Zambia. Having never visited Sub-Saharan Africa before, we didn’t really know what to expect but we were told that Zambia was a great place to start our African adventure.
It’s now one year since we made the big move and I can confirm that they were absolutely right. Zambia is amazing! We have had many opportunities to explore this wonderful country, soaking up it’s nature, culture and seeing wildlife you wouldn’t believe possible. I can’t express how lucky we feel.
However, having set up a great portfolio of clients in Jordan, I was nervous about starting a new here. I wasn’t at all sure what the design scene would be like and, being quite shy, the idea of networking to start a fresh was beyond daunting.
I shouldn’t have worried. One of the things I loved most about the Middle East was the warmth and welcoming of Jordanians. The same can be truly said of Zambians too and it’s amazing how I already feel settled and professionally established here. I’ve continued to build websites and visual identities for clients here in Lusaka, but I’ve also proudly branched out into food packaging for a couple of companies - to see products I have designed the sleeves for in the supermarkets here is wonderful but when my children spot it too, it’s priceless.
I also have taken the opportunity to offer my skills to local causes which I know are in need and are close to my heart. The Epilepsy Association of Zambia does amazing work, raising awareness and funds to support those affected by epilepsy - not a straightforward job as being epileptic in Zambia can be incredibly tough for both the individual and their families. The de-stigmatisation and normalisation of both epilepsy as a condition and modern treatment for it is a priority for the Epilepsy Association of Zambia and I’m proud to be working with them to help across multiple projects.
The launch of a guide on managing epilepsy which I designed for the Epilepsy Association of Zambia
The move obviously hasn’t been without its challenges and it has been a learning curve to navigate the different ways of working here. But it has been totally worth it and it has certainly further developed me as a designer. I am constantly inspired by the nature and wonderful art scene here in Lusaka - it has shaped and pushed me into new directions that I would never have imagined. If anyone is considering a move to Zambia (or indeed moving generally to another country to work as a graphic designer), I would highly recommend it.
