Ralf is a Pretoria based illustrator who combines German precision with a playful sense of humour. He offers a wide variety of styles from photo-realistic 3D and vector illustrations to water-colour, line art and stipple.

When did you first think “WOW, this is what I should be doing for a living”?

Actually it never seemed to be an option, in my early days of employment during the late 80s, I was advised that illustration is a dying trade and with the onset of computers it would probably become obsolete. Illustration work was limited to Storyboards, marker renderings, and presentation layouts… for me anyway.

It was only in the early 90′s, after finding a job as a graphic designer at a small packaging studio in Johannesburg, that I realised how much illustration was still being done. I became the in-house illustrator, instead of “graphic designer”, so I guess it took off from there.

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Monday this week brought jest of the champagne, scone and cupcake kind as the Power of 9 team raised their glasses to one remarkable lady.

This post was originally compiled by Sanja Stanojevic who has since left Power of 9. 

Every month we compile a list of the Power of 9 team’s personal ‘fur balls’ (lowlights) and ‘purrfects’ (highlights). It’s just a bit of fun!

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Every month we compile a list of the Power of 9 team’s personal ‘fur balls’ (lowlights) and ‘purrfects’ (highlights). It’s just a bit of fun!

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Monique started at Power of 9 in 2009. She loves popcorn, drinks way too much coffee and loves social media.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to be different things at different times. When I was four I wanted to save the rainforests because I saw a TV show about it. I collected rocks at one time so I wanted to work in a museum or on an archaeological dig. By the time I was 11 I wanted to be a detective. It was never anything ordinary and I suppose that’s why writing appeals to me; I have a chance to investigate ‘stuff.’

Curious? Read more…

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Thembi is Catherine’s personal assistant and admin assistant. She started with Power of 9 in 2004.

When and why did you choose to join Power of 9?

I joined Power of 9 in 2004. I saw it as a challenge, an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and felt I would be an asset to Power of 9.

Curious? Read more…

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I have a firm grasp on reality and an intergalactic spaceship. Daryl is creative director at Power of 9.

What are 3 things a designer worth his oats should have or know?

1. A designer should have big balls. He/she must be able to constantly push boundaries and be challenged by other designers;
2. He/she should know that the communication of your piece is as important as the design;
3. Attention to detail is imperative. A good designer follows through on creative from the big idea, right down smallest of details.

Curious? Read more…

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Catherine is the founder and managing director of Power of 9.

You are such an inspirational boss. Power of 9 has such a close-knit team. How do you manage such brilliant interpersonal relations?

Thanks. I hate the vertical structure of traditional business; in fact it was one of the reasons I chose to leave the corporate world. When you work with senior, creative and skilled individuals, micromanaging, red tape and boundaries stifle the individual and the company’s growth. It starts with choosing the right people for the culture of your company; skills can be enhanced and trained, but synergy of values is most important.

Curious? Read more…

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Want to get inside the heads of the Power of 9 team? Every month we compile a list of our personal ‘fur balls’ (lowlights) and ‘purrfects’ (highlights).

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You can keep your Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos; this winter the only two ‘must-haves’ is a South African flag and a vuvuzela!

Around the country South African flags wave a colourful welcome to the world from shop windows, homes, social networking sites (thanks to twibbon) and most notably on our roads where flags are hoisted from car windows and hug side mirrors.

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Our nation has been gripped by the ‘gees’ (spirit) and excitement to be the first African country to host the FIFA Soccer World Cup! It’s a pretty big deal and it’s doing more than putting us on the map – its igniting our patriotism.

Our team showed Table View our ‘gees’ during the nationwide call to trumpet vuvuzelas at noon today.

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