Today we’d like to introduce you to Naa Dedei Martins
Hi Naa Dedei, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Naa Dedei Martins, a Ghanaian-American creative producer and director, as well as the CEO of Forfoi Creative Media. As a multi-disciplinary artist, I bring a diverse range of skills to my work, including writing, web design, beauty artistry, and editing. However, my primary focus lies in graphic design and photography. The unique quality and professionalism I deliver as a creative designer and photographer reflect both my personal values and the ethos of my company. I resonate deeply with Albert Einstein’s quote: “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.” This belief in originality sets me apart as a creative. While it’s said that “nothing is new under the sun”, I firmly believe that the originality one infuses into their work adds a distinct signature, making even familiar ideas feel fresh. For creatives, imagination is the key to how we see the world and how we bring our perspectives to life.
My passion for the arts has been a lifelong journey, one that I have followed from childhood. My earliest memories of creativity began in second grade, when I would often draw on my assignments out of boredom and curiosity. This early interest developed further in middle school, especially after meeting my youth leader, a fellow creative who inspired me to pursue art more seriously. Although my school schedule did not allow me to take formal art classes, I joined an after-school art club in eighth grade, where we focused on craft-based projects. However, I always yearned to explore drawing and painting in greater depth.
In high school, I joined the yearbook team in my junior year, which introduced me to the world of digital art and marked the beginning of my journey into photography and design. Around this time, my interest in filmmaking also grew. The summer before my senior year, I attended a program at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I took courses in digital art and filmmaking. It was here that I began to understand the significance of storytelling as a creative medium, particularly in film. The ability to evoke emotions and communicate meaningful messages to an audience became central to my exploration of filmmaking and influenced my approach to design. I quickly realized that technology and storytelling are interconnected, and mastering both would allow me to distinguish myself in the industry.
Over the next five years, I invested in my creative education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in filmmaking, followed by a one-year Master’s program in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. Reflecting on this journey, it often feels as though I’ve been transported from a dream to reality, but here I stand today, fully immersed in the creative industry and proud to call myself an artist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – Peter Hagerty
Though the journey may not always be smooth, we strive, fall, and make mistakes; however, this doesn’t mean we should give up. I believe that challenges don’t break us but rather build us into who we are meant to become. Every great person must face risks and curveballs and ultimately overcome them. My journey, too, has been far from smooth. I have been tested and tried ever since I chose to make an impact in the creative space. I like to call this “The Processing.” We all know the saying “pressure makes diamonds,” and while it may seem cliché, I can personally attest to its truth in my journey.
Embarking on the creative path, I’ve faced common struggles – imposter syndrome, doubting my abilities – but I’ve also had to confront challenges with my health and cultural expectations that sought to confine me. Coming from a Ghanaian cultural background, where stability is highly valued, many are encouraged to pursue careers in fields that offer more certainty. While I understood this mindset, I found it limiting. I have always believed that society thrives on diversity, and we need individuals from varied backgrounds to make life dynamic. Furthermore, I was venturing into a career path that no one in my family had pursued before. I felt unsure of my skills, many of which were self-taught, and often felt like I didn’t fully belong in the creative space. On top of that, I was diagnosed with severe migraine with aura at the age of ten, which greatly affected my ability to function throughout my schooling. These migraine attacks would strike without warning, leaving me weak, unable to speak, and frequently in and out of the ER. As a result, I constantly found myself playing catch-up in my studies and always felt like I was falling behind.
The media and entertainment industries have undergone significant evolution in recent years. With strikes and shake ups, the entire landscape has been shifting. For someone like me, a newcomer from a racial minority background with limited connections and resources, these changes have been particularly challenging. While I take pride in being a multi-hyphenate creative, I’ve encountered situations where opportunities have passed me by simply because people didn’t know where to place me within the industry.
Despite all these obstacles, I’ve persevered, hustling through every challenge while staying focused on carving out my own space. In February of this year, I officially registered my creative business, Forfoi Creative Media (FCM), to help realize that vision. The mission of FCM is to provide high-quality, uniquely tailored services to clients, meeting creativity with their journey. Since launching, I’ve had several opportunities and projects to build on this dream, and I’m excited to continue growing and innovating in the years ahead.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a creative director, producer, and web designer, I focus on merging storytelling with design to create impactful visual narratives across digital platforms and film. What distinguishes me is my refusal to be pigeonholed; I embrace all aspects of who I am and thrive in multiple creative disciplines simultaneously. While I am primarily recognized for my graphic design and photography work, I reject the notion of leading a mundane lifestyle and strive for diversification in my craft. I believe in the importance of continual learning and innovation, as they not only foster a growth mindset but also open up new opportunities and possibilities.
I believe that every piece of work should have a clear purpose and a defined goal. That goal should evoke passion, thought, and care in its audience. My work is driven by imagination and innovation, with the intent of introducing the world of creativity to those who may not typically engage with it. Coming from a Ghanaian cultural background, I understand the significance of color in our traditions, from fashion to cuisine, and I incorporate these influences into my creative process. These cultural elements set me apart from other creatives. As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with my approach to creativity.
I take pride in projects that challenge conventions and foster a deeper connection with the audience. My hope is that my work resonates not only on a physical level but also emotionally, creating lasting impressions.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to blend narrative-driven content with striking aesthetics, drawing from both my background in film and my authentic Ghanaian heritage, with a touch of American influence. This combination elevates both digital and cinematic experiences into cohesive and compelling works. I firmly believe in the saying that everyone has a role to play in life. My role in the creative space is to leave a blueprint for future generations of aspiring creatives, inspiring them through the art of creativity and helping shape the world.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Community is an essential facet of success. Throughout my journey, I have been influenced by multiple individuals who have shaped who I am today and who I aspire to become. I believe in the importance of having mentors for different areas of life, and I have drawn inspiration and positive traits from various people. This has been instrumental in forming my identity. My third-grade teacher, for example, taught me the value of confidence and self-acceptance. She believed in each of us and created a space where our differences were celebrated. Having both an accent and an “unusual” name made it easy for me to be singled out, but she instilled in me the importance of owning my name and staying true to myself.
I also remember my youth leader, a fellow creative, who showed me the beauty and excitement of art through his own work. Watching him paint and draw made me realize the potential to improve my own skills, sparking my desire to learn more about the creative space, as I previously mentioned.
Family and friends have also played a significant role in my development, offering support during both the highs and lows of my journey. Their words of encouragement, especially during moments of self-doubt, have been invaluable.
In addition, I have drawn inspiration from various works of art and media. As a young girl, watching The Incredibles and Taxi sparked my love for action movies and fueled my curiosity about how such stories are brought to life. I was also an avid reader, often becoming so absorbed in a book that time would fly by without my noticing. Though this occasionally got me into trouble, books like the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson captivated my imagination, allowing me to envision stories as films playing in my mind. This inspired me to create similar experiences for my generation and those to come, whether through graphic design, short stories, or screenplays.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/media.fcm/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/iamforfoi/
Image Credits
KorMotions
Forfoi Creative Media
