Exploring Yemi’s World Where Art, Culture, and Technology Converge

Listen

0:00

/413.988571

1×

Let’s begin by checking in—how are you doing today, Yemi? I’d love to know where your head and heart are at before we dive into the details.

Hey team! I'm having a pretty good evening so far, thanks for checking. To my left, I have a glass of Pinot Noir that will probably be gone by the time we’re done here, and to my right, my phone is playing a live performance of Ludovico Einaudi at the Steve Jobs Theatre from 2019. There’s a tobacco and bergamot candle burning in the background, and the room is lit with this soft orange ambient glow.

All in all, it's a calm night, which is my preferred way to do things.

I know that this is a bit one-sided , but I hope all is well with the team too!

Your site, VidereWorldwide, has this intriguing “Concept Design” section that showcases bold, almost cinematic visions. Can you walk us through the atmosphere of your workspace when you’re in the throes of creating? What do we hear, see, and feel around you?

Absolutely. The Concept Design section—aside from the art fund page—is probably my favorite part of the site.I also appreciate the fact that you used the word cinematic, because that's how I tend to design all of the experiences in my life- in a cinematic manner.

When I'm creating, my ideal space is either loud, chaotic, and public—like a nightclub or concert—or tranquil and intimate, like the vibe I described earlier. I especially like creating AI works when I'm in Dubai. The constant visual stimulation there is unmatched. Every corner feels like a story waiting to be told. 

You have a distinct way of merging technology with human emotion. Where does that unique fusion come from? Is there a memory or experience that first sparked your fascination with weaving innovation into art?

For as long as I can remember, I've had a habit of merging ideas from different disciplines or fields of study, and rendering them into a unified concept. That’s just how my brain works—it thrives on abstraction. I like to encode layers of meaning into a single image or experience because that's the most accurate representation of the complexity that is my mind. It’s less about one spark and more about how I’ve always moved through the world.

"For as long as I can remember, I've had a habit of merging ideas from different disciplines or fields of study, and rendering them into a unified concept."

Every artist has a driving force—a kind of compass that guides them. In your case, how would you describe that inner compass? Do you find it’s more about telling personal stories, challenging viewers’ perceptions, or something else altogether?

My inner compass is super simple. I ask myself two questions.

1. Does this inspire me?

2. Will this make people feel something when they see it?

3. Is this better than the last image/video I dropped?

Okay, that's actually three, but that’s my creative check-in.

One of the most compelling aspects of your portfolio is its depth of culture and community. In your work, especially the pieces hinting at social narratives and global influences, what do you hope people take away when they are in front of your art?

One word "woah."

That's it. I think my most cherished moments in life have come from experiences that make me be still and say "woah...that was cool." It could be a natural landscape, a skyline, or a work of art.

My belief is that these "woah" moments innately elevate the quality of life in those who perceive them. If we string enough of these moments together in life, we stay inspired, and can operate at our highest levels.

Let’s talk about the “concept design” aspect that’s front and center on your site. You blend sketching, digital manipulation, and immersive storytelling, almost like a filmmaker. Can you describe the emotional arc you aim to create from the first draft to the final reveal?

Sure thing.

I want people to move from the "woah" moments to action. From stillness to creation.  My hope is that the moment of awe sparks something in them—a desire to create, explore, or even reimagine their own worlds.

You’ve often mentioned the importance of collaboration—working with other visionaries, craftsmen, and even tech innovators. How does that collective energy shape your process, and what do you believe it adds to the pieces themselves?

I love collaboration. I collaborate with life itself. With people. With the many versions of myself. That energy—those perspectives—get filtered through my own lens and then crystallized into something unique. Collaboration keeps me grounded while simultaneously stretching my vision. It’s essential.

"I love collaboration. I collaborate with life itself. With people. With the many versions of myself."

Artists are often expected to be either “traditional” or “futuristic,” but your work lives in this beautiful overlap. How do you navigate the balance between timeless artistry and the gravitational pull of cutting-edge technology?

Thanks for recognizing this. I navigate the balance pretty naturally – a lot of my inspiration comes from brands with history and tradition, such as Kodak, Leica, Loro Piana, etc. With that being said, I have amazing technology at my fingertips, so I find it really entertaining to push these boundaries and combine the future with timeless elements, in a way that hopefully comes across as a beautiful overlap.

Your journey thus far has been marked by bold leaps and quiet transformations. Looking back, is there a pivotal project—or even a conversation—that served as a turning point, a moment when you realized you were shaping not just art, but a movement?

I'm not even sure I've realized that yet. I have such a heads down approach that I tend to stay in the present moment while embodying the future. Conversations like this help me zoom out and appreciate the bigger picture. So thank you for that.

You provided artwork for this issue of “Code & Culture,” featured on the back cover. Would you mind sharing the inspiration behind the image? What sparked your imagination for that piece, and how did you set out to visually capture the book’s overarching themes?

The inspiration was quite literally Code meeting Culture. This goes back to the divergent style of thinking I mentioned earlier. I asked myself, "What would code meeting culture look like???" And ended up with this bespoke piece, carefully crafted for my new friends at Stats on Stats.

Finally, with so much emphasis on what’s coming next in the creative world, what do you hope the lasting impression of your work will be? How do you envision your legacy weaving into the tapestry of art and culture fifty years from now?

"I hope people look back at my life and my work and say 'Damn, this is unbelievably inspiring...'"

I hope people look back at my life and my work and say "Damn, this is unbelievably inspiring"...and then take that inspiration and do something that is world or life changing in their own unique ways. I really want to inspire people to imagine without limits.

Yemi Faleti is a 25-year-old creative entrepreneur and business leader with a deep passion for crafting remarkable experiences across media. Throughout his career, Yemi has brought his talents to industry giants such as Universal Music Group, where he played a key role in shaping content strategies and immersive storytelling. Driven by a commitment to stay inspired and contribute value to the world, Yemi founded Videre Worldwide, a consulting venture as an AI concierge to brands navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. At Videre, he offers strategic guidance, creative direction, and bespoke AI-generated content that empowers brands to engage their audiences in fresh and compelling ways. Most recently, Yemi expanded his creative portfolio by launching an art fund designed to reimagine the art collecting experience. By blending financial investment with immersive storytelling and community engagement, the fund challenges conventional notions of art ownership in today’s culture-driven marketplace. At his core, Yemi is a relentless innovator dedicated to curating meaningful cinematic experiences that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.

Follow Yemi on Instagram at @ymskzy and @videredesignlab.

Feature