Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru- based graphic designing and creative company Gracian Creative Agency (GCA) has taken a leap further towards changing the livelihoods of young creative designers through an encouragement by advising talented designers to shift from creativity to professionalism.
The call was made during a Young Creative Capacity Building Engagement which was held in Gweru last week (Saturday).
The engagement which was focused on scouting and nurturing young graphic designers across the province was also inspired by efforts to remove young people from drug and substance abuse.
Gracian Creative Agency Founder and Creative Arts Mentor Remberance Mutero said a great business experience had been drawn from his life situation which motivated him to become a great designer.
“We came to capacitate talented young people who have graphic and art designing skills. We are saying yes courses are there, but you mustn’t necessarily own a degree or an ‘A’ level certificate to be a graphic designer .Have the mind set and skills alongside passion to spread art through impacting designs.
“I am a graphic designer not because I trained, No, my life experiences changed my situation. I grew up in a tough life environment where I had to work for me to eat, cloth and go to school or even buy clothes every day. I am a product of the life experiences which I encountered, that’s why l am inspiring other youth out there to discover themselves.
“As I stand today before you, I am finishing my degree in Computer Engineering this year with Midlands State University because I embraced and believed the art of graphic creativity. We need more of such initiatives and brains among youth even for us to resist things like drugs and substance abuse as well as other social ills,” said Mutero.
He further encouraged young designers to register their brands and companies.
“From this year going forward, let’s adopt a business minded format, register our companies and brands to penetrate the markets. Uphold professional business values with clients in order to grow yourselves,” he added.
A Graphic designer and Pastor Simon Mugodo said it is always good to learn new business ideas.
“There are many things we take simple in business which derail us from professionalism. Imagine things such a receipt, quotations, meeting deadlines and even engaging in work contract matters as they define working operations on a daily basis.
“We must learn and embrace new ideas in order to grow the graphic designing industry. Besides Pastoring, I am a young graphic designer and this has pushed me further, I now own a company called ‘Stratos Branding,” he said.
An upcoming Creative student, Emmanuel Hlambelo however said most young designers were struggling to price their works and this was hindering growth in the designing markets.
The Arts and Designing industry has emerged to be one of the most competitive and growing sectors which embraces uniqueness, creativity and innovativeness in order to sustain the designing career on various facets and markets even globally.
