Christopher Masonga’s donated Laptop
Whether you are a technophile or a techonophobe, there is no getting around the fact that a computer is an essential design tool in the 21st century. It is hard to imagine a designer working without one. Which brings us to the only recipient of a Type Directors Club scholarship in Africa. Christopher Masonga was awarded a TDC scholarship in 2003, to help with his final year at Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts. Christopher completed his degree and graduated in 2004. In 2009, the TDC conducted a series of interviews with former scholarship recipients, including Christopher. You can read those interviews here on TDC.org.
In the spring of 2010, Christopher wrote to me. He talked about buying a laptop for his design work, and the difficulty of collecting all the funds (roughly equivalent to $500USD) at one time. I shared his message with the other members of the TDC’s Board of Directors. TDC President, Charles Nix, contacted David Lerner at Tekserve, a great Apple sales and repair shop in New York City. Tekserve generously donated a used MacBook Pro to Christopher. The TDC shipped the laptop to Christopher, and it was in his hands on May 1, 2010.
Christopher kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his experiences as a designer in Zimbabwe.
Q: How long have you been working as a designer?
A: I have 5 years experience.
Q: What types of work have you designed in that time?
A: I have designed for print, packaging, newsletters, company profiles, posters, etc.
Q: How is type and typography important to your work?
A: I create my own headline type.
Q: What are your career goals? What would you like to be doing in five years?
A: I would like to create the best type & design work in the field. I would like to have my own studio.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the design field where you live? What kinds of jobs are available for a designer?
A: Most design work is for print advertising.
Q: Can you also tell us about your home? Where do you live, what is it like there?
A: I currently live in Chitungwiza, a high density suburb of Harare. It’s an affordable place to live.
Christopher's home
Q: Your computer was kindly donated by Tekserve, an Apple sales and repair store here in New York City. Do you have any message for Tekserve?
A: I am filled with excitement that I can’t say much, only to say may the good God be with you all, be blessed.
Christopher also shared some of his latest work, shown here.
Posters for Zimbabwe's National Association of Non Governmental Organizations (NANGO)
Packaging designs for Daribord
The TDC would also like to offer sincere thanks to Tekserve for their generous donation. This essential tool will be a huge help as Christopher builds his design career.