GoodHeart | COVID-19 sparked Kimberley Jones’ creativity

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to rediscover old passions, explore new interests, and uncover talents they never knew they possessed. For Kimberley Jones, it was the moment that reignited a love for art and set her on an unexpected path.

What started as painting sessions to relieve the stress of exam preparation soon became the catalyst for an unexpected journey. It would take her from aspiring scientist to award-winning graphic design student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Now, at 20 years old, the self-taught painter and emerging graphic designer can proudly say that she has expanded her skill set and has stepped into purpose as she completes her studies with a final-year project that reflects both her creative growth and her desire to use design as a tool for positive change.

Jones grew up in a family that strongly valued the sciences, a reality that shaped much of her early academic life. While attending Immaculate Conception High School, she pursued all three science subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level and envisioned a future in forensic pathology. Although she had always been interested in art, she never considered it a realistic career path. “I did not initially see myself as particularly skilled in it,” she recalled. “My experience in school art classes was somewhat discouraging, as I often did not receive the grades I expected despite my effort.”

When the pandemic forced much of the world indoors, Jones found herself returning to art, this time on her own terms. She began painting daily as a creative outlet while preparing for examinations, gradually developing both her technical skills and confidence. Between 2020 and her graduation in 2022, this new-found hobby evolved into something much deeper. “I began painting consistently every day, which allowed me to rebuild my confidence and significantly improve my skills over time,” she said.

In her quest to explore her post-secondary options, she came across the graphic design programme at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Although unfamiliar with the discipline at first, she was immediately intrigued. The more she researched, the more she realised graphic design was about much more than creating visually appealing work. “I developed a deeper understanding of how integral graphic design is to everyday life,” Jones explained. “I realised that it extends far beyond aesthetics and plays a key role in communication and consumer experience.”

PROFICIENCY

Jones’ time at Edna Manley challenged and transformed her in equal measure. Entering the programme with little knowledge of professional design tools, she has since developed proficiency in industry-standard software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects.

Those interests are now on full display through her final-year exhibition project, Thryve Foods. The branding and campaign concept was inspired by a simple observation. While fast food and traditional cook shops remain widely accessible across Jamaica, healthy food options are often less visible and can feel disconnected from local food culture. “Thryve Foods responds to the growing need for accessible, culturally relevant healthy eating in Jamaica,” Jones said.

Through a carefully developed visual identity, packaging system, and public education campaign, the project seeks to make healthy eating more approachable and understandable for consumers. “The message behind Thryve Foods is centred on empowerment and education,” she explained. Nutritional information is presented through clear design systems, while the overall brand embraces familiar Jamaican flavours and cultural references. “It encourages consumers to make more informed dietary choices without feeling that they have to compromise on taste, culture, or convenience.”

Like many final-year students, Jones quickly learnt that bringing an ambitious creative vision to life requires more than talent and determination. One of the greatest challenges was managing the cost of production. Because Thryve Foods is a branding-focused project, the exhibition required extensive printed materials, including packaging prototypes, banners, posters, and branded merchandise. “One of the main financial challenges I encountered was underestimating the cost of printing,” she shared. The financial realities threatened to limit the scope of her project, forcing her to reconsider elements of her original vision. “The cumulative cost of producing these materials added up quickly and required careful budgeting and prioritisation throughout the process.”

VITAL SCHOLARSHIP

“At the beginning of the process, I found myself scaling back my ideas due to cost concerns.” Relief came from the Pan Jamaica Group, which has been providing vital scholarships through the C.B. Facey Foundation to Edna Manley College students for over 40 years. “The scholarship significantly eased the financial pressure throughout my studies, particularly during the development of my final-year space,” Jones shared. The scholarship enabled her to move forward with greater confidence and create an exhibition that more fully reflected her intentions. “With the support of the scholarship, I was able to revisit and properly realise my original vision for Thryve Foods and focus more on the quality and impact of the work rather than constantly adjusting for budget limitations,” she said.

“Kimberley’s journey from the sciences to graphic design shows the power of giving young creatives the space to pivot and explore,” shared Gayon Douglas, executive director of the C.B. Facey Foundation. “At the foundation, our goal is to remove financial barriers so that bold, strategic minds like Kimberley can focus entirely on impactful work. Design is a powerful tool for public education, and that is exactly what Kimberley is proving with her final-year project.”

Now in bloom and ready to make an impact on the creative industry, Jones is passionate about branding and identity design and hopes to help businesses create visual identities that communicate clearly and connect meaningfully with audiences. She believes there is growing demand for designers who can combine creativity with strategic thinking as Jamaica’s creative industries continue to evolve.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com