Designers can now access free Nigerian mockup images

Instead of relying on the frequently used foreign mockup images, Check DC has created Nigerian mockups that can be used for local brand messaging.

Birthed out of the desire to create an authentic and precise reflection of every local brand’s message, Nigerian Mockup is a library of photorealistic mockups, for Nigerian designers that will portray designs in a more relatable and appropriate context.

Mockups give viewers an idea of how the final product will appear, and the implementation of interactive elements like buttons and icons also hints at the function. Of course, mockups don't actually represent the functionality like a prototype. Experts have said that impressive mockups are often the way for a brand to conquer the hearts of its partners and to win another round of investments.

To launch the project, the team at Check DC --- a design agency took images of strategic objects at different locations within Lagos state, namely; famous LED screens at Ilubirin, Alexander road, the Lekki Toll Gate, Maryland Mall, major billboards in Computer Village, Ikeja, Falomo Bridge, Law School, Bourdillon

The images from this trip have now been curated on a website and can be accessed for free by anyone.

How does it work?

Anyone can visit Nigerian Mockups and browse through or search a library of mockups categorized by type— from outdoor signages, billboards, LED Screens and iconic landmarks in locations including Lagos Island, Yaba, Lekki, Gbagada, Ikeja, Ikorodu road and Surulere.

Users can then select their preferred mockup and download them as PSD files, with which they can then edit using software like Adobe Photoshop or Photopea (which is free and works in most web browsers).

Also, users can use the mockup to add their images with these steps:

• Open the PSD file in Adobe Photoshop or Photopea
• Look for the smart layer/object labelled 'Edit Screen' and double-click it.
• A second image (PSB) will appear that you want to drag and drop your content into.
• Save and close the PSB file.
  

From Lagos to other cities in Nigeria and Africa.

In an interview with benjamindada.com, Fiyin Adeniyi, a Senior Designer at Check DC said, 'we hope to get started on a second phase that incorporates other Nigerian cities and even more landmarks and then subsequently expand to other notable African cities, with our eyes set on getting started in Accra, Nairobi, Marrakech, Cairo, Capetown, Johannesburg and Kigali in the near future.'

According to Fiyin, Check DC intends to invite individual contributors to upload their own mockups to the website with the intention of fostering the power of the design community. He further stated that a future build of the platform would cater for users with no design experience.

Editor's note: The headline was edited from 'Creatives can now access free Nigerian mockup images' to 'Designers can now access free Nigerian mockup images'. (4 Oct. 2021)