So, you want to be a designer...

Q: How do you know if you're a natural designer?

A: If you sit in the back row of the class for maths and science, and spend most of your time carving your initials on your desk instead of paying attention, you're a designer. If you've ever broken your arm just so you could do the most awesome doodles on your cast, you're a designer. The same goes if you think in pictures – and aren't terribly good at left-brained things like maths and science.

Q: What key qualities should a designer have?

A: Designers are highly perceptive creatives. We take a definite interest in our surroundings and pay incredible attention to detail. We're freethinkers and very open minded. We're also very disciplined when it comes to our work – taking great pride in what we do. There's usually a good dose of perfectionist in us too!

Q: What are the biggest misconceptions about the job?

A: That it's easy. Good designers make the job look easy, but it takes an incredible amount of time, patience and effort. People also often assume that we work regular office hours – when the truth is that you always carry your work with you in your head. You never switch off from what you're busy designing. The job is also not as glamorous as it looks. It's deadline-driven which means you're often expected to work around the clock to get the work finished.

Q: What is the biggest job reality you should know about?

A: The deadlines. Your life becomes deadline-driven. Your designs will have to be developed within very tight deadlines and within the parameters set by the client. This means you often can't be as completely creative as you'd like – you have to adapt your work according to the client's needs and opinions. You don't have complete creative freedom when it comes to your briefs. This means you have to be adaptable and see new possibilities in your work.

Q: Describe what's involved in the job. What are a designer's core responsibilities?

A: The first is definitely ideation: coming up with the “big” idea. Once you've come up with this, you'll have to turn it into an eye-catching, unique design. You need to execute it and be able to explain the idea behind your work to your client – they must see that it's not just a “design”; they need to understand the process and thoughts behind your work. As a designer, you must also keep up-to-date with design trends and any new computer programmes that you may need to use. You also need to stay perceptive about your environment, and remain open to all forms of inspiration.

Q: Describe a typical day as a designer.

A: You'll probably get to work at 9am, grab a quick cup of coffee and be given your first brief by the traffic manager. You'll then start working on the brief – physically researching it and gathering inspiration before starting to work on your design. After you've come up with your initial idea and scamped up your design, you'll need to show it to your creative director who will then guide you further and either approve it or suggest you brainstorm it more. Once you have approval, you'll execute your work and get ready to present it to the client.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you must be prepared to face?

A: Taking responsibility for your design and idea, and ensuring the quality of your design and graphics. Design is not just about coming up with great ideas and drawing pretty pictures. As a designer you have to make sure your work can be implemented, and that it will succeed in the market. It's a big responsibility.

Q: What makes it such an exciting job?

A: The freedom and space to create in an environment that supports this. There are so many opportunities – the diversity of the work is incredible. One minute you're working on a logo for a new airline, the next you're designing a bottle for a sports drink. The job can be hugely rewarding: there's nothing better than seeing your work on a shelf, a catwalk, a billboard. It's the most incredible feeling in the world.

Q: What is the best route to follow when it comes to training to become a designer? Do you need a degree or a diploma?

A: To start, get yourself a good matric – one that will get you into the right tertiary institution. I personally would suggest trying to do a design course through a university as opposed to through some of the colleges and “schools” out there. My reasoning behind this is that these are accredited institutions with a wealth of experience. A six-month college course can't compare to three years at a university in terms of preparing you to be a designer. If you're worried that your marks aren't good enough to study at the university, contact them. The requirements are far less strict than you'd imagine.

Q: What kind of opportunities can you look forward to as a designer?

A: The sky's the limit when it comes to opportunities. Designers make the world go round. Look around you right now – from the chair you're sitting on to the cars that pass you on the road – every single one of them has been touched by a designer. We have the most incredible lives. One minute you're at a celebrity photo shoot, the next you're flying off to meet up with the owner of the brand you're working on. You get to meet and work with the faces behind the brands: the people who have built the brands into what they are today. That's the most inspiring experience.

Above and beyond that, good designers are in demand in South Africa, meaning you'll earn a good salary. And, depending on how good you are, you could easily have your own business by the age of 25. As a designer you can look forward to incredible job satisfaction – knowing you were behind the idea that's now on the supermarket shelf or billboard or catwalk. It's the most awesome job in the world.

Q: The best thing about being a designer is…

A: Doing what you love the most every day.

• The Switch Group is a multi-disciplinary brand consultancy offering its clients a complete design solution spanning through-the-line advertising, branding and design, and interior design and architecture. For more information, go to www.switchdesign.com.