And so it begins.

Thinking

Tormer Insider

Image: And so it begins / Olugbogi Nathanael / Tormer

After five years of operating exclusively underground, we’re thrilled to launch our online presence for the first time. While we’ve thrived without a digital footprint, relying on word-of-mouth and referrals, this marks a new chapter for our studio. We’re eager to connect with a wider audience and share what makes Tormer unique. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our collaborators, from private individuals to commercial entities and government agencies. Your trust in us has been invaluable, and we’re grateful for the incredible works we’ve had the privilege of creating together.

Tormer’s creative vision is led and guided by our founder Olugbogi Nathanael, a multifaceted artist and designer with over 10 years of experience in traditional arts and about seven years of experience offering strategic design solutions to various businesses globally. Nate’s unique blend of artistic and technical expertise serves as the foundation for Tormer’s creative endeavors. This synergy is further amplified by the collective talents of our partners, advisors, and contributors, each bringing their own distinct strengths and abilities to the table. Together, we all bring distinctive perspectives to Tormer’s design approach, allowing us to tackle projects from a variety of angles and create innovative solutions that are truly one-of-a-kind.

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Tormer is taking a deliberate and considered approach towards developing an online presence. This website will primarily function as a platform for managing client expectations and showcasing sharable projects from our portfolio. In addition, it will also serve as a ‘thinking space’ where we curate and disseminate general information about Tormer, interesting discoveries from the web, and original ideas from our founder and partners.

However, it is essential to note that this website is still in its development stage. As such, visitors should anticipate changes and updates over time. New content will be added regularly as we refine the site’s functionality and structure. In particular, detailed information about our programs and services are currently under development. We encourage visitors to return periodically for updates on these topics. It is also worth mentioning that this website is intended to serve as a hub for our online activities. Therefore, it may contain links to other websites or platforms where we are active.

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Our name and visual identity often spark curiosity among people. and when they ask about it, we’re frequently expected to regale them with stories of profound inspiration or deep-seated meaning. But, the truth is far more mundane – for example, our name simply evolved organically from a practical need for something unique, globally resonant, memorable, and available as a .com domain. It was really that simple. Similarly, our logo isn’t some cryptic code hidden beneath layers of symbolism. It’s a straightforward blend of the letter “T” (obviously representing Tormer), combined with the abstracted version of a Nautilus shell and the Fibonacci sequence, which was then paired with the text “Tormer” in a simple sans-serif font. We tweaked it till it we were satisfied, and that was it.

Also, the word “Tormer” itself isn’t a dictionary entry; and wasn’t chosen based on any academic definition. We drew inspiration from the words “Mer” (sea) and “tor” (mountain or hill), which resonated with our internal philosophy: “As are the mountains, so are the seas… everything leads to one pathway, one endless journey. In essence, Tormer’s name and identity is a reflection of our humble approach to design. We didn’t set out to create something profound or symbolic; we simply sought a name and visual identity that resonated with us. And while our story may not be as exciting or inspiring as some might hope, it’s authentic and reflects the simplicity and elegance we often strive to attain in our lives and work.

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Before closing, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the struggles faced by many small studios worldwide, particularly those in Africa. It requires immense courage and resilience to continue pushing forward in the face of uncertainty and adversity. These challenging moments not only present obstacles, but also opportunities for learning from others and discovering new ways to succeed. For some, it may seem counterintuitive that Tormer is choosing to enter the limelight during this time when many studios are shutting down. However, we recognize the complexity of life’s journey and acknowledge that it is often characterized by twists and turns. It is precisely these unpredictable moments that make life special and worth living. We are taking things one step at a time, acknowledging the difficulties faced by small studios worldwide, while also recognizing the opportunities they present for growth and innovation.

Once again, it has been an absolute pleasure, and we hope you are just as thrilled to embark on this online adventure with us, we look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. If you’re curious about Tormer or want to learn more about our studio, please explore our website, particularly our ‘Works’ page, which showcases a selection of past collaborations and side projects. As we continue to grow, more content will be added in due time. At Tormer, we take the privacy of both visitors and clients extremely seriously. If you’re interested in knowing how we protect your personal data, please consult our Privacy Notice here or visit our Legal Terms page for further information. Should you have any questions or would like to discuss Tormer or our work further, please do not hesitate to reach out.

The Press Desk drafts and publishes various briefings, communications, announcements, news, updates, etc. about internal studio affairs, Including text of a Letter from the founder, to Internal persons, and the general public.

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