REVEALED: How Hey-Z Has Been Secretly Building A Huge Design Firm

You probably know Hey-Z as one of Kenya’s top gospel artists. His songs, such as his recently released ‘Kila Kitu’ have been rocking the airwaves, and the online community for years now

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Now I recently managed to track him down, and after a long conversation, he revealed to me that he was setting up a brand new office for his design firm, On Time Garage(OTG). What? Hey-Z does design? Yup, he does, and here is his inspiring story:

Hey Z started out by making basic designs for friends and family on Microsoft Word, in order to raise money to record at the studio. After experiencing some frustrations with trying to print out his designs on his own, his aunt introduced him to a company named City Imaging. But rather than print out his work, they belittled his amateur efforts and asked to redo all he had done. Rather than be downtrodden, Hey Z was challenged, and made up his mind to join City Imaging. He met Patrick Kivindio, who allowed him to sit and learn from the other designers. One in particular, Alex Mwanga, mentored him through an unpaid internship. For the next two years, he cut his teeth in the design practice, and in no time, he was ready for the big leagues.

He did designs for System Unit, FATMOD, Alice Kamande, Daddy Owen, Eunice Njeri and the likes. Corporates included Sony Ericcson and Daima Milk and yoghurt. Soon after though, City Imaging was closed, and Hey Z was forced to go freelance.

Thereafter, he became Bernard Kioko’s personal designer for 6 months, trying to grow Bernsoft Interactive, but they soon parted ways for Hey Z to pursue his personal client base. By the time 2013 was coming round, he had accumulated some capital, and in August, he got a brand new office, set it up with his own printing machine. He has managed to employ several young Kenyans, including 1 designer, a front office lady, 2 marketers, an intern and himself. He credits God and his intense passion for design for taking him where he has reached. Also with the help of mentors like Derick Onzere, Kevin Mulei, Wakonyo Igeria and Samora Machel for seeing him through the tough times.