I've always had a way with visual design - BTC winner

| Friday October 28, 2011 00:00

 

Mmegi: Who is Monkgogi Samson?Samson: I am a simple guy who grew up in Palapye and completed my secondary school at Lotsane Senior Secondary School. I then went to Cape Town, South Africa, for my Metric at the Abbotts College before pursuing my Degree in Graphic Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. I graduated from the university in 2007.

Mmegi: What motivated you to go into the field of design?Samson: Well I have always been good at drawing. I have always had a way with visual design even before I knew that such a thing as graphic design existed. It was only when I was in South Africa that I realised that I could do graphic design as a discipline.  I took some creative courses at Abbotts College where I was advised by some of my lecturers to take the graphic design route. I was very lucky to have been admitted at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology because its design school is one of the best in South Africa.

Mmegi: What motivated you to join the phonebook cover competition.Samson: I looked at previous phone book covers and felt that something better could be done. I felt that there was a need for a change in direction in terms of the approach in interpreting BTC requirements and how the ordinary person is able to interpret the cover without loosing its context. I also joined the competition because my partner at Demo Graphix, Kago Monageng, believed I had what it takes to win and he turned out to be right. 

Mmegi: How did you feel when you were named the winner of the 2012 Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) Phonebook Cover competition?Samson: I was overwhelmed but because I believe in my work I was not really surprised.

Mmegi: Please briefly explain the design that won you the title.Samson: The design has several elements that complied to BTC's brief of coming up with a design that would depict BTC and its sister companies Botsnet and beMobile.  The design also shows how the BTC improves Batswana's lives through its services and also illustrates the legacy, which BTC is paving for future generations.

Mmegi: How do you expect the win to affect your life?Samson: Winning has shown me that I am on the right path as a designer. I want to move on to creating works that can be recognised internationally. I would also like to position my company Demo Graphix in a way that it would be visible. We at Demo Graphix would like to become the leading design agency locally. I am also yet to establish my own design signature that can be easily recognised through my designs.

Mmegi: So what is it that you are currently doing?Samson: I co-own a company with Monageng named Demo Graphix Communications. It has been in operation since 2009. The company does web design and development, brand communications and advertising, among other things. Before that I worked in South Africa for an advertising agency for about two years. I also did a couple of temporary jobs whilst in South Africa, some for free as a way of building on my experience and portfolio.

Mmegi: Seems like you are a firm believer in experience before work. Would I be correct to say that you view the Government Internship Programme that has been accused of exploiting graduates as in fact positive?Samson: Yes, I see nothing wrong with the government programme because it has positive long-term benefits.The main concern tertiary graduands should have after school is building their portfolio. Building your portfolio might entail working for little money or even nothing. That should not discourage one from putting maximum effort in whatever they do because that is a way for them to build their name. However, the government should ensure that graduands are placed in good institutions where they would grow their experience.

Mmegi: What do you think about Botswana's design industry, especially since you have experience with the South African industry?Samson: I personally feel Botswana does not have a design industry the reason being that the industry is not visible as it is not easy to see works that have been created by local designers. We are also yet to see a time when designers would be paid their worth. Another issue that continues to haunt the industry is lack of unity among local designers. Most of them prefer standing on their own unlike in South Africa where the industry is characterised by collaborations and dialogue among practitioners.

Mmegi: What advice can you give to the 2013 BTC Phonebook Cover competition contestants? Samson: They should read and understand the brief thoroughly before attempting to come up with a design. They should be original and push the limits wherever possible. They should also go in it to win!