Ontwerp.tv, Creative By All Means

Ontwerp.tv.is a creative agency based in Johannesburg specialized in graphic design, illustration, brand identity, web design, motion graphics and even sound design. With a name as “Ontwerp” (which means as much as “draft / layout” in Dutch and Afrikaans) it’s no wonder this agency places creative design at the forefront. For Ontwerp founder Anthony and his team, good communication is all about being passionately experimental, incorrigibly curious and roguishly technical. Founded 7 years ago, Ontwerp.tv has always mastered the balance between commercial output and what they really want to do.

As far as Anthony Dart, founder of Johannesburg-based graphic design and motion graphics agency Ontwerp.tv, can remember, he has always loved to draw while listening to his parents’ extensive LP collection. He also loved the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining and developed a fascination with sci-fi and horror movies that would become very significant for his later style. As a teenager, he became a big fan of Chris Cunningham's music videos. So when it was time to figure out what he would like to study, “Fine Arts, Graphic Processes and Photography” at Parktown College was an obvious choice. Dart spent most of his time sketching his favorite characters from his graphic heroes like Simon Bisley and developed a lasting obsession with photography. In the meantime Anthony also started to learn every new program he could lay his hands on.

Another turning point was his first job, where Dart had to make signage for the exhibition industry, cutting logos and giant letter shapes out of vinyl. If you wonder where his love for bold typography comes from, this can explain a lot. After some job-hopping, Anthony ended up at Lowe Bull where creative director Rob McLennan introduced him in the magic universe of 3D, Flash and After FX. Internet fuelled his love for design even more and became quickly a virtual classroom, teaching him all the tricks ‘n’ tips. Realizing that this converging tools and virtual playground let him take his creativity to new heights, Dart was immediately hooked: shooting pics, drawing, scanning his art, modeling all kind of stuff in 3D, composing it all in Photoshop or After FX… It was at this time that Dart understood what he wanted to start his own studio, so he would have all the liberty to experiment and push his boundaries.

In the beginning, Ontwerp.tv was just two guys in a small Randburg office, pushing the buttons of 10 machines so they could manage the whole production process, from the design phase to final renders. They worked around the clock to meet deadlines but soon it became painfully clear that too much of a good thing isn’t always wonderful so they started hiring more people who shared a likeminded passion and vision. Now, seven years later, Ontwerp.tv has convinced high-profile global brands as Ford, Seat and Sony Ericson with their graphic design and multimedia skills. For founder Anthony Dart, Ontwerp was never about money, fame or hipness, but about a freedom of expression and true love for what they do and he intends to keep true to this vision.