BASIE GEERDTS – The Graphic Designer

During my time as a national serviceman in the South African Air Force, unbeknownst to me, my dad went to the Johannesburg College of Art and met with the rector, Mr Phillips, to find out more about ‘commercial art’. He then phoned me and asked if I’d be interested in studying graphic design? I had no idea what my dad was talking about, but it sounded pretty interesting after he explained what it was. So I wrote the entrance exam on the 4th and 5th of December 1972 and in early January 1973, I received an acceptance letter from the college – and thus started my career as an illustrator and graphic designer. All thanks to my dad!

In late 1975, I joined JWT as a junior visualiser. Then I moved to Cape Town in 1976 and joined DeV&S, also one of South Africa’s best known ad agencies as a visualiser and illustrator. I left Cape Town in 1979 and came back to Jo’burg to start my career as a freelance illustrator. Switched my focus on graphic design, which I have found far more interesting with the creative challenges it brought than illustration.

As a graphic designer, as stated before, I’ve had the wonderful privilege of working for, with and being associated with the finest graphic design studios and founding my own design and art studios. The current project I’m involved in is starting a new company (with two new partners, Colin and Wim) called Kooliving. Up to date I have taken great pride in developing and creating the corporate identity, packaging designs, stationery items, promotional material and building the website. Can’t wait for it to be officially and fully launched.