M.J. du Preez

Posted in Interactive | Lifestyle | Local Personalities

Former students of The Open Window School of Design in Pretoria, M.J. du Preez and Cecilia Theron launched their own design studio, named Doktrine, in the beginning of 2007.

The Doktrine studio was started as “a tribute to doing what you want opposed to doing what you have to”.

Doktrine offers a wide range of services, including: Photography, Design, Illustration, Video, Photography studio and Exhibition facilities.

We had a chat with M.J. du Preez about designing, working and living in Pretoria:

How long have you been staying in Pretoria?

I was born here in 1984 but moved away when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I’ve been back here since 2004, so that’s 9 years.

The "main pikkewyn" at Doktrine Studio, M.J. du Preez.

Why base Doktrine in Pretoria?

Well, I studied at Open Window and then just fell in love with the place. There is something awesome about Pretoria. It seems less pretentious than, like Cape Town or Joburg. I feel save here, not like in security wise, but something makes me fell calm. It feels like a small town yet it’s a pretty big city. Pretoria is the underdog.

That’s why Doktrine is here, our company is very much in line with that. Doing what you love even if it doesn’t make sense to other people. (Or maybe it’s just something in the beer.)

What is some of the big projects Doktrine has done in the past?

We are always growing and every new thing we take on seems huge at the start but afterwards we move on to bigger things and then past projects just seem small time. We’ve done some projects that pushed us into the limelight, like for example, the MVP video we did for Moses Metro Man, (It was nominated for a Huisgenoot Tempo award) and then we’ve done big corporate projects that are financially very rewarding, but not necessarily very creative. Biggest project at the moment I would say is the rebranding of Inscape Design Group. We are rebranding everything, from the corporate identity all the way to interiors of all the their campuses in South Africa.That is about a 12 month project. Apart from that, I’d say Doktrine, Skim Grot , Moederskip and Honey Badger are massive projects on their own. It’s all still in the very early stages but our plans are massive.

Which Pretoria high school do you wish you went do?

I think I would have liked going to Pro Arte High School. My High School didn’t have art as a subject, so I always wonder where I would/could have been technically if I started a bit earlier.

Which proudly-Pretoria-companys do you work with?

Well, all the companies in/at Die Moederskip are super pro-Pretoria. (Nouvanaand films, Brent Black studios, Louis Minnaar, Swagger, This Pencil) plus there’s the guys from Liquid Mesh Design, Frikkie Awesome, Griet, Hotbox and Arcade Empire we keep on doing do a lot of stuff with.

Favourite coffee shop in Pretoria?

I’m not a big coffee man, but Honey Badger kills when it comes to coffee.

In your opinion, what’s the ultimate “must see” Pretoria tourist attraction?

The view from Fort Klapperkop. I’d say that is my favourite place in the whole of Pretoria, especially in the summer. Also a day at Park Acoustics at the Voortrekker Monument is also a must. Then I’d say relaxing at the Honey Badger never gets old.

What music venue best describes the Pretoria music scene?

Unfortunately there aren’t as many great venues left in Pretoria compared to about 4 or 5 years ago, but I have to say the New Arcade Empire in Lynwood is going to become something amazing. As for best describing the Pretoria scene, I guess it depends on what type of music you like. You’ve got Presleys for your Afrikaans Sokkie vibes, Cafe Barcelona for your lovers of good alternative music but still caters for acoustic performances for all sorts – and then there is Arcade Empire that caters for the youth with a wide range of different artist playing a different range of genres. The Barnyard in Menlyn also has a good show every now and again.

Is there a lot of work for graphic designers in Pretoria? More than in other cities?

If you want to work for a big company, I guess not. Most of the big companies are in Cape Town and Johannesburg. But I’m a firm believer that there is a lot of work out their if you are willing to go at it on your own.

I feel graphic designers are like accountants, every company should have one and it is starting to move into that direction.