Designers of Harare: Richard King

Designers of Harare: Richard King

Richard King

I had the pleasure of attending a solo art exhibition in Avondale this evening. It was being held in Farrell’s Avondale Branch showcasing the work of Richard King, a Zimbabwean artist born and bred here, working mainly in oils. He presented several new pieces and there was a pleasant mix of realism, landscape and equestrian pieces to cater to various tastes. There was enough to show that he has a good range of ideas that he draws from his life experiences to be able to transfer them onto canvas in exquisite detail.

Though the weather was pretty stormy there was a good attendance of people who came to view his work.  Already two pieces had been sold before the start of the event which bodes well for the artists prospect more of his pieces being purchased before the end. For more information on the Artist and his work visit is website at http://richardkingafrica.com. If ever he has a show on in Harare or elsewhere and you happen to be in the area, please do come and view his work up close, the images here don’t do his work justice one bit. J

Branding Zim

I would honestly like to know what thoughts my guys would have on branding for Zim. Whats being done right, if any? What isn't being done at all and should be? I had a breif  but great discussion with one Rudo Nyangulu who is an entrepreneur in her own right. People like her embody the hope of a better tomorrow for us in Zimbabwe, especially in developing a great identity. I believe we have the capacity to develop a great brand and its good to not only meet like minded individuals but also meet such individuals who are trying to do something about it. Keep an eye on this post I begin a follow up of short articles on this subject.

David Chinyama

With help of an acquaintance I had the privilege to meet and chat with David Chiyama, mixed media artist and designer, earlier this afternoon. I will try a few words to sum him up; down to earth, smart and gifted. He was so gracious as to take me to his residence and have a look at his latest commission that same afternoon. It was a huge piece of work, multiple and individual panels all going to one client (In total 9 pieces altogether,but you should have been there).

I really enjoy the fact that there are such talented guys here in Zim who keep working and perfecting their calling. He's been professionally around for nearly over a decade and has made a real name for himself in the local and international art scene. His pieces left me...uplifted, he really has a way with rich colours that reach out and grab you. There's such abstract art as to jolt the viewers focus and make little impact on their subconscious. His pieces ease you into them, giving a sense of being alive and tactile.

Showing examples on screen does not come close to doing justice, I highly recommend anyone interested in seeing his work to do so personally at National Gallery permanent collection and elsewhere. Here are a few links to help get you started and to provide more information about the artist/designer himself. As for me I will continue to follow his career closely, and hopefully invest in some of his pieces someday soon.

http://seedgallerynewyork.com/bio.david.html

http://www.blackart.co.za/category/david-chinyama/

http://www.nationalgallery.co.zw/

Looking East

Seriously considering China as an option for tshirts, at the least they make them, here its almost like some companies are practicing alchemy (experiments to make gold from mixing chemicals lead etc) , and we know that doesn't work. Its a shame really. :(

Zambia Tourism

Read up on a global competition to design anew brand identity for Tourism Zambia, from around 2000 entries 5 logos and slogans where short listed and one design/ slogan was picked. I reckon that whoever organized the comp would have had a better chance of sourcing from within the Zambian design community instead. For more info check the read the piece on the comp at this blog; logodesignlove.com

The Short list

 
The winning logo was created by Michel Scarantino.The logo is currently
being used on the Zambian Toursim website.

Africas true size (Infographic)

Here's an infograph I found when I went to look for something cool about Africa, its rather humbling how big we really are as a continent. It also begs the case that we can do so much more here, in time.

"Africa is big. But just how big? Check out this infographic to better understand the enormity of the African continent."

Agro Branding

Working on some Agro based branding this month.  Not many references out the on the net but have uploaded the few that I could find. Happy people can recommend any more examples on this particular field of branding. Will put up more if I find any.

Considering that Zimbabwe is still an agronomic based economy, wouldn't it be prudent to spruce up branding for this particular area? Hmm...

Cotton, a Kingdom for Cotton…

Have been wrestling with the fact that those aspiring be create their own unique labels may have to source t-shirt material from China. I understand that due production costs here in Zim getting a t-shirt made will set you back $5 if you are lucky. Taking into consideration that printing in general on tees can range from between $1-$8, it understandable why guys would look around for more cost effective deals. And if it means sourcing from the East, hey all good. Keep in mind though that there’s no guarantee that you will get your money’s worth unless you have the tightest contacts and may have already travelled to China, it’s still seems like a huge gamble. 

May be I am looking at it with too much of a cynical eye. You hear horror stories of real poor quality material being used to cut down on costs. Is it too much to hope that one can source for 100% tees locally from local companies? Or is it just a mind-set engrained  from years of economic downturn?

Provokator identity + process

I don't speak Russian but this visual identity speaks to me. Its crazy, zany over the top. The kind of design work we should see here in zw. Below is a brief summary of the work with links.


Provokator is a multi-brand clothes store chain, well-known among extreme sports fans, as well as those people who like stylish fancy clothing. The task was to create an entire brand image and expand brand presence on the web. Transformer Studio (http://transformerstudio.ru) developed  the visual identity, online store, microsite, magazine and outdoor ads. Behance.net.

Freelance and office blues

I'm pondering the benefits of freelancing as opposed to getting full time employment. There's so much going for both and so much working against either. I believe there is no right or wrong answer, but will be interesting to do a write about it later this year.

Net Noise

Okay I'll put in a quick two cents on this because a buddy of mine insisted. Net One... there is so much going on this site I don't really know where to go.  Honestly, where Telecel was a malfunctioning piece of eye candy... Net One is an overwhelmingly orange and busy bee. It doesn't help that the one wallet ads are a rip off the M-Pesa ads from SA. I believe in a well balanced website, functioning and complemented with visuals that enhance the brand. Thats not happening here. So lets leave it at that.

The Telecel Website

Had a look at Telecel It looks wow. It ain't wow. Now I'll be honest, I have made the mistake of making a client's site live and have regretted that act. Its a no no; if your site ain't ready, don't make it live. Now with telecel, there is a bit going for it visually, lots of eye candy, dynamic menus and flash.

On the downside there is a lack of consistency between pages, the menu bar can be quite erratic and unresponsive depending on which browse you are using.

The Twitter and Youtube links do not function and the Facebook link only takes you to Facebook and not to any Telecel Facebook page that I can see. Have I also mentioned that the search box does not function?

Also the footer is a mess with different images encroaching on text. People will be wowed for a bit on first entering the site, but they probably (most likely) will not come back. A fully functioning website allows a brand to engage with their customers, which means repeat visits and revenue. As it is it acts like a broken toy.

It is a great attempt, but they Telecel needs to fix this site up quick, even if it means taking it offline for a couple of hours (or days) to get it right. I hope they will.

Look familiar?

I stumbled on a series of adverts from Europe late last year as you do. This was before Econet had released their Econet Broadband campaign through Rubicon SA. The resemblance was quite striking. Now I ain't no rocket scientist but I'm sure that this was not coincidental. Let us avoid been copy cats people if possible.

I believe Rubicon was paid to be creative, not paid to regurgitate a previous a idea... even giving a fresh spin to the concept would have been cool. This wasn't the case.

Thoughts on fleas

A flea is placed in a jar with a clear lid,
the flea keeps jumping up to get out… only to keep whacking it’s head
on the glass jar.

Eventually the flea gives up and stop jumping so high.
In fact, it only jumps to just below the height of the jar so it does not
whack it’s head.
The clear lid is then removed but the flea will not jump any higher.
It continues to believe that it cannot get out of the jar… and therefore
never tries.

The barrier is mental – not physical.

So here's the thing... a lot of agencies/ businesses seem to be still working in survival mode. Restricting themselves in dealing with whatever the clients wants regardless of whether the quality of the end product is crap or not. Now note that this takes into account various factors like poor education on design on the clients part and the lack drive to innovate. But as designers and agencies shouldn't we be able to make an effort to tick by our guns and guide the client a great outcome for us and them? That's why they hire us right? To provide the best solution. Instead we mope on how they will take their business elsewhere if we don't comply with what THEY think is correct.

In the end though, both sides lose. There has to be a better way that can benefit clients and agencies/ designers all around. Over the next couple of months I will chat and interview with various designers and hopefully agencies to get their take on how the Zim advertising industry is faring, how to provide innovative positions for clients without them feeling that they've lost control of their brand and finding out what it may take for creatives to showcase quality work in a rather conservative industry.

Sindiso Nyoni

Came across this fellows work today. Its tight, that's all I got to say about it. I believe in lifting up local designers who are doing what they do best, none of this tall poppy sydrome rubbish. Though he's currently based in joburg, I just want to say Mr Nyoni...you are the man! Keep it up. Follow his trail on http://www.behance.net/guerillart...

Below are a couple of samples of his work.

C2

Checked out a very different looking Web company online a little ways back. This outfit goes by the name C2 and you can check them out on www.c2.co.zw. They seem to have a main branch based in Melbourne Australia. Interesting, so far from looking at their site these guys seem to be keen to up the ante in terms of online design in Zim. Time will tell.

If its anything to go by I want to see more great design not to be confined to just business but to everyday life. Especially if its local.

If anyone out there knows of any slick designs or designers who need showcasing, just holler in the comments box below.

Tafianu.com

Hi guys, have a quick jump to Tafianu.com  by Tafianu. If you are into home grown gear designed right in Zim. Go check out his site and have a looksey.

Given the chance

Its been a while since I've been able to work on a clients brand development. Looking at examples on Behance I'm itching to get into those projects which allow you to develop a strong brand identity, which is the basis for any great advertising campaign. Behance has a lots of examples of highlighting this. If you know of any sites that have similarly cool examples just write them into the comments block and I'll add them on the blog.

Also if anyone knows of any great Zimbo brand identities then out, tell us. It would be good to get to show case what peeps can do around here. Cheers :)

Below are just another couple of examples of great branding concepts. More can be found on Behance Behance.

Just need to point out one thing. I added these examples because I like them. I have a bias to clean designs depending on my mood. There can be various opinions on what makes good designs, I am merely focusing on brand development in this post. :)

ITI: Automation technology.

Starbaltic: Latvian information 

and trade online portal.

Christophor: Publishing House.

Savviva: Life style services and business support.