This project was created the time that Kenya, the country where Maina Wainaina lives, was experiencing a series of terrorist attacks from alshabaab. Because of this, security was heightened everywhere meaning that you had to get screened on every building, bus, church, etc that you got into. He related that to his experience in sharing computer files.

When coming up with the name I was thinking of all the malicious software, malware, viruses that we expose ourselves to any time you plug in a USB device into the computer. I was wishing there was a really foolproof way to screen the files as we share them because even with antivirus software sometimes they fail to capture these threats. I was inspired by the fear of my files being corrupted. It’s years ‘worth of work. And also as I mentioned above, my experience with security checks everywhere.

- Maina Wainaina

The first step when I am making any artwork is research. In this case I was combining two ideas from different worlds i.e. security search and computers, so I had to research on both to get references and find how I can merge them together. Second I start sketching roughly so as to establish the right angles. Then select from the sketches one which I feel works best then continue to refine it. Its at this stage that I scan to the computer for the final version. Besides pencil and paper I use adobe illustrator, Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

- Maina Wainaina

It’s really difficult to pinpoint exactly where the idea came from. I think ideas happen because of a number of factors like long term experiences, inspiration from different sources, experimentation etc. The main challenge was in establishing the right angle to have both the elements i.e icons and the laptop visible and recognizable. Had to do various variations to get to that.

- Maina Wainaina

About Maina Wainaina

Maina Wainaina is a 26 yrs old illustrator based in Nairobi, Kenya. He started out his career working in advertising agency as a designer before deciding to focus fully on illustrations. He is in the process of trying to lock a style and also establish myself. It’s a little challenging here because the industry is still at infancy but am hoping to play a role in finding a voice not just for him but for fellow talented artists in Kenya. You can find more of his works on his Behance profile.