Self-taught graphic designer El-Salvador Pashita started designing at the age of 14 as the only activity to keep him busy after school.

The 17-year-old grade 12 learner at Haimbili Haufiku said every design he produces always receives compliments on how excellent it is, which makes him feel proud. 

This inspires him to produce more mind-blowing visuals.

His love for design intensified when he was in grade 9: his school could not afford to hire a graphic designer to design a flyer to promote their entrepreneurship day. 

Pashita then decided to create the flyer because he had access to a computer and the internet. 

It was a resounding success. 

“I came to believe that if I could design an advertisement flyer without any guidance, I could do anything creative on my own,” he told Youth Corner.

Pashita designs more over school holidays and weekends, and occasionally creates artwork when he is tired of studying to clear his head, “because I see it as another type of brain game”.

The young man would like to pursue a career in graphic design and to focus on designing houses and posters.

“I mostly want to take part in the construction industry. I want to revolutionise the traditional way of designing and building houses into a new and modern way. The reason why contractors end up not running successful businesses is because they are all offering similar services,” he noted. 

Pashita is challenged by the fact that the majority of artificial intelligence software he uses has to be paid for, and a monthly subscription charge is required. 

“This is really difficult because extra effort is required to make more money,” he lamented.

His primary objective is to transform the design sector into a sector that improves the lives of communities, and he aims to run a business that benefits the community more broadly as well as himself.

“Let your hard work be other people’s dream work. Dream it and work on it; it will be worth it one day,” he urged his peers.

He can be reached on 081 740 2112

- fhmalwa@nepc.com.na