Creativity and drive

Weston Bester is one of the founding partners of Young Designers Advertising.
Octavia Tsibes
Elizabeth Joseph



What started as a backroom venture in 2004 quickly turned into a growing advertising and marketing business, all thanks to Weston Bester and his partner Mario Michaels.

Having always been artistic, it made sense that he pursued and graduated in commercial arts at tertiary level.

“I still remember my Grade 3 (Standard 5) mathematics teacher catching me while I was sketching him in a funny cartoon while he was giving a lesson; that’s where it started for me,” Bester said.

“My company, of which I am a co-founder and hold the position of creative director, has been the conduit for channelling my passion for commercial design. As the business grew I found myself concentrating more on it and the client service side of things, but I still find myself working on certain projects.”

An average day

“I wake up to catch the morning news before going on the school run, dropping of my children at school. I then hit the gym for an hour or so before heading to the office. I carry my work in my pocket in the form of a Galaxy Note, constantly checking my emails and keeping abreast of design/marketing/social media trends,” Bester says.

One of his key responsibilities is to head brainstorming sessions, through which campaign concepts are achieved.

He says this is a tedious process, as there are so many ideas that come from these sessions, but only one can be chosen.

“Every day is a different problem, needing a different creative solution. It’s up to me to sometimes convince the client that what they requested might not be the relevant solution to their PR situation.”

His short-term goals include creating daily and weekly plans for success on both a personal and professional level.

“Priority among these include learning a new skill, exercise and nutrition, enhancing relationships with family, friends, colleagues and clients, and also rest.”

Inspiration

As an artist, Bester believes that art imitates life and that is the essence of what inspires him.

“I apply myself to how history, politics, social commentaries (Trump’s social media presidential campaign) and trends fuel creativity.

“I am excited when I see innovation in products or services as an answer to problems that we face as people. The sum total of my inspiration is my creativity borne out of experience and I am also very nostalgic about my roots, my memories and maintaining my identity,” Bester adds.

When he is not busy being the mastermind behind a big project, Bester spends time with his family and friends.

“I try to maintain a balance of time with friends, time at home with the kids, exclusive time for my wife and a little time to myself. I like motorsport and have invested a bit in this, but I also like recreational hunting and my son and I participate in target shooting competitions at the range and on PlayStation. I am also a super-fan of Athletic Club Football Academy, where my kid plays.”

Fact box

1. Bester is a lover of all gadgets and technology.

2. He has a great sense of humour and is slow to anger.

3. He loves history and culture.

4. He hates swimming.

5. He smokes but hopes to quit soon.

6. Sudden quick movements in dark areas scare him.

7. He plays a lot of video games

8. When he does something, he goes all-out.