Müs

Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?

I studied Graphic design in Cape Town at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology but most of my Artistic training came from High School, The National School of the Arts. My first commercial jobs came as referrals from my friend and mentor Sindiso Nyoni. The first job was an editorial illustration for the biggest magazine in the country, The Sunday Times. The second was a Packaging job for Motherland Coffee. We collaborated and I got to draw a few characters for the packaging.

Did you have a plan for graduation and what actually happened?

After I graduated at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, all I wanted to do was work independently or at Studio Muti. I wanted to stay in Cape Town but the low pay and high cost of living didn’t add up so I returned to my family in Johannesburg. I realised how niche Illustration is in South Africa. I spent 6-months spamming people with my portfolio & CV. I had to settle an internship at a local advertising agency called Black River FC after a month there it was clear that my skillset would go to waste rolling out layouts for billboards and making presentations.

The internship was fruitful though. The ECD referred me to Grid Wordwide, a branding, and design agency, It wasn’t an illustration agency but it was a step closer.

Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.

I communicate ideas and tell stories using pictures.

What are your three must-read design books, blogs or podcasts and why?

I’ve really been enjoying the Futur by Chris Do & the Arrest All Mimics podcast.