Guilherme Laso is a Brazilian graphic designer and illustrator.
“I graduated in Graphic Design. I’ve worked in digital marketing agencies during the university and after finishing it and also was an entrepreneur for about five years. I was really interested in visual arts and music when I was in high school and that led me to study Design. At that time I knew nothing about how it works and how professionals really work in this area, but I still love it.”
How has it all started?
Guilherme got connected to Think Africa at the beginning of 2019 through Elisabet Miheludaki, Board member of Think Africa from 2018-2020, and a founder and CEO of Amplaffy. “I was looking for help to find employment in Finland and ended up doing some freelancing for her company. She later introduced me to Myriam Munezero, Chair of Think Africa, and that’s how it all started.”
Creative works is what links Guilherme to Think Africa
“I’ve been helping Think Africa with branding, designing graphic materials, some images for social media posts, and mostly with the latest Think Africa Week events.” He is also able to explore his talent in assignments that are new to him such as editing video content and motion graphics.
Why volunteering?
“Volunteering is an amazing way to help others and also to develop your skills, meet new people and get to know new places. I only had the opportunity to travel to Finland because of the volunteer work I did in Lapland and it was a very important experience to me, a unique life experience.”
Why with Think Africa?
“My experience with Think Africa has been great. Myriam and the crew are nice to deal with, they give helpful feedback to improve the work. Sometimes I need some financial help or focus on paid work but they are super understanding.”
When people volunteer their time or expertise, they as well acquire both professional, and personal gains—as you find yourself interwoven between both the giving and receiving ends. For Guilherme these gains “helped me to be more open, to learn how to deal with clients, organize my time and develop my skills. It was good for keeping me working on something of my interest, when I was without a job or any idea for a personal project. And it’s also great to do something that helps somebody.”
Advice for aspiring volunteers
“Look for people that really need help and projects that will help a community. But also in the area of your interest or that involves something you need to learn more and practice. And have an agreement that benefits both sides. It needs to be a good sharing, and valuable experience for everyone.”
If you want to reach out to Guilherme hilasodesign@gmail.com, checkout his portfolio here https://laso.work/work
If you want to volunteer with Think Africa , please get in touch with us through info@thinkafrica.fi and visit our website to Join Our Team
