A VeryRare™ #OnlifeQNA With @Don__Design x Story By @Skinnygenes_TV

I have been doing loads of thinking in the past few months. Thinking where the game is at, where SA hip hop is going. Then it dawned on me that even though the artists always get the shine there are the behind the scenes players that carve the creativity x make sure your fav artist is beaming at all times. I am not talking of managers x Pr peeps and what not. To me those are traditional roles and there may be new roles being birthed in the game as we speak.

I met AKA about 4 years ago,he forgot his Yeezys at a hotel after a show and I arranged to get them to him cos I knew how much they meant to him. We linked up shortly after that and kicked it. Our 1st collaboration was the Kontrol music video that Yanga directed. We did a few projects together from there on like Run Jozi,All Eyes on Me until he recently appointed me as his creative director.

So soon as I had this idea I asked myself which cat could have an interesting story to tell when it comes to creative articulation x design aesthetic. The name that came to me was "Don Design". I will be honest I did not know dude until AKA mentioned him in Dreamwork. But having done my homework on dude I learnt that he is AKA's creative director x he is in charge of AKA design output x he is in charge of art direction in music videos. Basically Don Design is clutch when it comes to all of AKA's visual.

Welcome to this weeks OnlifeQNA interview with Don Design. In this very rare interview we talk on all things design x how he met AKA x what his plans are x why he is very rare. Enjoy this one. It motivated the fuck out of me.

Howzit Don Design . Before we kick things off who is Don Design?

Don Design is a creative director,music video producer and an all round very rare dude.

How long have you been dabbling in this design game ?

About 6 years

Damn thats a long time. Have you received formal training ?

Im self taught..and still learning,I'm forever online..hoping to study abroad soon.

To those who don't know what goes into good design ?

I'd say a positive vibe and a lot of indoor

How would you describe your design aesthetic ?

It varies with different projects..I don't really have a specific aesthetic that I stick to.

AKA has made it know that you are responsible on everything visual in terms of his stage design ? Visual game and more . Care to tell us more ? When did the journey really begin ?

I met AKA about 4 years ago,he forgot his Yeezys at a hotel after a show and I arranged to get them to him cos I knew how much they meant to him. We linked up shortly after that and kicked it. Our 1st collaboration was the Kontrol music video that Yanga directed. We did a few projects together from there on like Run Jozi,All Eyes on Me until he recently appointed me as his creative director.

What's it like to design for one of the biggest rappers in the African continent at the moment ?

It's cool..we get to come up with ideas and share them with the world and influence the youth culture in our country.

Let's swing gears for a minute. How would you describe the visual game right now in SA hip hop?

I think it's not at the level that it should be.

When we talk videos the most design appealing video the moment is ... ?

In South Africa any video from Die Antwoord..and abroad Kanye's 'Famous'.

You also do video work? Directing right ?

Yeah I've worked on quite a few videos for KO,KidX and AKA as a producer.

Why should artists take pride in their design game ? And where do people fall short ?

A music video is an artist most important tool..at 1st the budgets were an issue but now hip hop is the most influential genre where youth culture is concerned,brands want a piece of that. I think we fall short with not giving enough young black kids an opportunity. Listen to the kids bruh!!

Did you always know you would be doing what you doing now ?

I knew when when I was growing up that my purpose in life is to create..I'm still far from where I need to but the journey has started and I'm enjoying every second of it.

What are your future plans ?

My future plans are to continue collaborating with other creatives across the globe to create the freshest content in the world.

And the deal with IIIRWRLD? Care to tell us what that is about ?

IIIRWRLD is a hub for young creatives that was formed by AKA a few years ago. I do some consulting work for them every now and then.

What can we expect from you in coming months ?

Expect everything rare.

Besides Aka , Yanga which other mc is killing the design game locally ?

I dig what OkMalumkoolkat is doing visually and I'm digging what Booty Call is doing..too fresh!!

Your Merch is dope bro!!????????⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XVxHQ9GxDL

— VeryRare™ (@Don__Design) July 4, 2016

You have the coolest name bro. How did you get it ?

Me and my niga SbudaRoc came up with the name @ Fresh2Def Studios on one rare afternoon.