THINKING OUT THE BOX

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

From a young age, I was primed for a BSC (Behind Shop Counter), but being surrounded by labels of various products, I was a lot more interested in the pretty colours than in the profit margins. I also thought the advertisements running on the ‘kassie’ (TV) were boring and dull and someone had to do something about it. As a teen, I heard a very glamorous sounding phrase, ‘graphic design’. Even though I had no formal art training, I took the plunge. Fortunately for me, I successfully completed the course

(cum laude) and haven’t regretted this stimulating career choice.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE?

I graduated from NMMU, specialising in theory and practical tuition. The course is divided into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The first three years is basic training and on successful completion, you extend it to a fourth year, graduating with a BTech degree. To qualify for the postgraduate programme, it is vital to have a minimum of two years’ work experience.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK?

You have to have a love for cars

DESCRIBE A GOOD DESIGNER

They must enjoy problem-solving and making things (tangible objects or experiences) better. They must have the stamina to work hard, and love colour, shapes and numbers. It helps if you’re decisive, organised and a self-starter. It’s a visually stimulating environment, so if you don’t enjoy having fun while working hard, then this isn’t for you.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

Experience is important because you put what you’ve learnt in theory to practice. The more you do something, the faster you think of solutions.

Describe A Typical Day

Most times I work on projectbased jobs, each day is different depending on what stage I’m at. At the beginning it’s researching target audiences, what colour and type of fonts might suit them, what the competitors are doing, and meeting with the printers to discuss final shape of the artwork. In the middle of a project I’ll be setting up shoots or sourcing images.

If I’m working with a copy-writer or editor I’ll find myself discussing headlines or new names for new products. At the end of the project, it’s putting all these elements together and setting it up to present to client. Once approved, it’s final tweaking.

WHAT

DO YOU ENJOY?

It’s thought-provoking, visually stimulating and I like making people happy.

ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE?

Deadlines, extended deadlines and unreasonable times set for the deadlines.

WHAT’S BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT?

Having worked with great teams on the country’s top magazines and commercial brands, and now being my own boss as a freelancer.

ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS?

Bite the bullet. Have fun. Be humble, there’s no place for big egos, they just get in the way of having fun.