Colour melts

The melting pot of diversity that is South Africa inspires and informs the work of graphic designer Sharp-Lee Mthimkulu.

From the Series

Committed to developing his design skills and knowledge, Sharp-Lee Mthimkulu’s creative work is something to keep an eye on.  

Mthimkulu is driven by a passion for design, a love for illustration, a crush on typography, and a thirst for creativity. Designing and creating a vast array of posters, stickers and sketches, the graphic designer aims to promote and highlight the culturally rich diversity in South Africa.

Having studied a Bachelor of Technology in graphic design at the University of Johannesburg earlier this year, Mthimkulu has teamed up with fellow designer students Kennedy Nickson, Sage Rose and Dominic Evans to create FutureLess. The unique collection of graphic work is inspired by life’s weird and unusual ways. The designers' individual backgrounds represent the future of design in South Africa as well as the diversity present in the country today. Earlier this year, FutureLess held their first exhibition in Johannesburg.

Mthimkulu was part of the Emerging Creatives programme at the Design Indaba Expo 2012, where his work was featured on Cape Town 2014 World Design Capital's video. The graphic designer believes that Design Indaba taught him to apply himself in a wholehearted manner to achieve a desired outcome. Mthimkulu therefore decided to enter a few competitions and was a finalist in the Indiafrica 2012 Poster Design Contest where he won $1000.

Design Indaba really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are available through design and creativity.

Since the Expo, Mthimkulu was offered to be part of the SABS Design Institute, but opted to study further through a bursary at Global Mouse, a design agency based in Johannesburg.