We love Rudi De Wet's bold, energetic and colorful work! It gives us major love heart eyes. We caught up with Rudi to learn more about his time at the University of Stellenbosch, what a typical day in the life of Rudi looks like, and how he delivers a result that looks handmade using digital techniques.
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
Some of my earliest creative memories are probably the ones where I compulsively drew old surf and band logos in the back of my junior school notebooks, while I daydreamed about surfing the waves. Looking back at those notebooks it’s clear I had a keen interest in hand lettered logos, colourful illustrations and the visual culture of surfing and music.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied Visual Communication at the University of Stellenbosch, an amazing university town about an hour's drive outside of Cape Town (South Africa), that's rich in culture and boasts some of the worlds finest wine farms. In my final year of studies I started working with three friends from university, after they persuaded me to join their studio/student office-cum-living room space. Those were the formative days of Am I Collective (now called Bewilder). At the time it felt like a surreal scene out of Fight Club, but it was an invaluable learning experience.
What does a typical working day include for you right now?
I try to wake up before 7am. I’ll brew some coffee, make some breakfast, check my emails for anything urgent, get ready and head to the studio, which is luckily only walking distance away. At the studio, I’ll brew some more coffee. If I’m not on a crazy deadline I’ll respond to more emails, tackle some admin for the day and then get going on whatever projects need to be done. If I’m on a deadline everything else is put on hold and that’s my primary focus.
I’ve also always got a few self initiated studio projects on the go, alongside my commercial projects, so there’s always something that needs to be done!
What do you look for in a great client?
It’s always nice to work with a client that trusts me, communicates clearly and has a reasonable timeline. It's also always an extra bonus if there’s a proper budget!
I’ve also always used the digital tools in the same way that I would use the so-called ‘traditional’ tools. I find that it's much faster to work digitally, make creative changes and still deliver a result that looks handmade.
What role does digital design play in your studio in 2018, and how do you apply traditional graphic design skills in a digital age?
Everything that I do always starts with a pencil sketch. In the past I always did most of my sketches on paper but now the paper's been replaced by an iPad pro and an Apple Pencil.
I’ve also always used the digital tools (like a Wacom Cintiq and iPad Pro) in the same way that I would use the so-called ‘traditional’ tools. I find that it's much faster to work digitally, make creative changes and deliver a result that looks handmade.
Whats on the cards professionally and personally in the next 12 months?
I’m working on a range of homeware and clothing apparel that will be out middle next year. :) I've taken part in a few group exhibitions recently and plan to start working on a solo exhibition in the near future!
