Hi, I’m Derek Makila, a creative designer who loves turning bold ideas into visually striking experiences. Over the past six years, I’ve honed my skills in graphic design, video editing, digital marketing, and branding, crafting solutions that connect with audiences on both an emotional and strategic level. I embrace AI-driven creativity to accelerate ideation, explore fresh concepts, and push creative boundaries. By blending human imagination with intelligent tooling, I design with purpose and innovation, delivering branding and campaigns that inspire and leave a lasting impact. Let’s collaborate and create something extraordinary together!…

Derek John Makila

Hi, I’m Derek Makila, a creative designer who loves turning bold ideas into visually striking experiences. Over the past six years, I’ve honed my skills in graphic design, video editing, digital marketing, and branding, crafting solutions that connect with audiences on both an emotional and strategic level. I embrace AI-driven creativity to accelerate ideation, explore fresh concepts, and push creative boundaries. By blending human imagination with intelligent tooling, I design with purpose and innovation, delivering branding and campaigns that inspire and leave a lasting impact. Let’s collaborate and create something extraordinary together!…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Derek Makila, a creative designer who loves turning bold ideas into visually striking experiences. Over the past six years, I’ve honed my skills in graphic design, video editing, digital marketing, and branding, crafting solutions that connect with audiences on both an emotional and strategic level.

I embrace AI-driven creativity to accelerate ideation, explore fresh concepts, and push creative boundaries. By blending human imagination with intelligent tooling, I design with purpose and innovation, delivering branding and campaigns that inspire and leave a lasting impact. Let’s collaborate and create something extraordinary together!

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Director at Believe Marketing
January 1, 2025 - Present
Founded and leads Believe Marketing, overseeing branding strategies, client relations, and creative direction across multi-channel campaigns. Responsibilities include concept development, project management, and driving growth for diverse clients.
Marketing Consultant at Sigma Feeds
September 1, 2023 - Present
Provides strategic marketing guidance, campaign planning, and performance analytics to drive brand growth and measurable outcomes.
Social Media Consultant at Irvine’s Kenya
March 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Managed social media strategy and content calendars, created engaging visuals, and tracked performance to optimize reach and engagement.
Digital Media Creative at Eminent Media Inc: Freelance
September 1, 2022 - February 1, 2025
Delivered digital media assets, video content, and creative concepts for campaigns, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet client objectives.
Lead Designer / Digital Marketing Specialist at O Media / SBI Motor Japan
December 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Led design and digital marketing initiatives, produced branding assets, and supported campaign execution across platforms.
Graphic Designer at Elite Tools Limited
December 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Created visual content and branding assets for promotional materials and packaging.
Graphic Designer at Africa 24 Media
May 1, 2019 - November 1, 2020
Developed graphics for web and print, contributing to marketing campaigns and brand identity.

Education

Bachelor of Film and Animation at Multimedia University of Kenya
August 3, 2015 - March 19, 2019

Qualifications

Digital Marketing Expert
September 3, 2020 - March 3, 2021
Generative Artificial Intelligence Mastermind Certification
March 3, 2025 - August 3, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services
    Katina Kafe Social Media Graphics
    Curating the vibe for the digital front door of Katin Kafe! As the designer in charge of their social media presence, my mission was to make our audience taste the coffee right through their screens. I developed a vibrant, community-focused visual strategy—mixing sleek minimalist typography with rich, cozy tones. From designing custom template systems for daily specials to crafting thumb-stopping motion graphics for Reels, the goal was to build an online space that feels just as welcoming as stepping into the cafe itself.…
    Tomoca Coffee Branding
    Had the incredible opportunity to work on a visual identity and packaging project for TO.MO.CA Coffee, an iconic brand that has been the gold standard of Ethiopian Arabica since 1953. My goal as a graphic designer was to protect the legendary soul and heritage of the brand while elevating its packaging design for modern specialty coffee shelves. From refining the typography to designing clean, information-rich labels for their premium roasts, the final system beautifully bridges historic Ethiopian coffee culture with sleek, contemporary aesthetics.…
    Tomoca Coffee Branding
    Had the incredible opportunity to work on a visual identity and packaging project for TO.MO.CA Coffee, an iconic brand that has been the gold standard of Ethiopian Arabica since 1953. My goal as a graphic designer was to protect the legendary soul and heritage of the brand while elevating its packaging design for modern specialty coffee shelves. From refining the typography to designing clean, information-rich labels for their premium roasts, the final system beautifully bridges historic Ethiopian coffee culture with sleek, contemporary aesthetics.…
    Tomoca Coffee Branding

    Had the incredible opportunity to work on a visual identity and packaging project for TO.MO.CA Coffee, an iconic brand that has been the gold standard of Ethiopian Arabica since 1953. My goal as a graphic designer was to protect the legendary soul and heritage of the brand while elevating its packaging design for modern specialty coffee shelves. From refining the typography to designing clean, information-rich labels for their premium roasts, the final system beautifully bridges historic Ethiopian coffee culture with sleek, contemporary aesthetics.