Well, senior graphic designer Johan Sadie has actually been with us for four months now … but because of his dedication to work and family, we hardly ever have “free time” with him.
Johan brings a wealth of experience and talent to the design team, being able to do just about anything, including video editing and production, and web and digital design.
Recently becoming a father for the second time had a few complications, too, and Johan had a month’s leave to take care of his newborn, Matthew (now six weeks old), and David (three and a half years), while his wife Samantha was in hospital.
Johan’s family is now under one roof, and he couldn’t be more pleased!
“The two weeks that my wife has been back from hospital have been the greatest in our relationship. Family is very important to me and I am grateful Flow Communications gave me time off to take care of my family, within two months of my appointment,” he says.
Johan credits getting through his personal life’s difficulties to blasting heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch’s song Back for More every morning.
“The song basically means to me that no matter what hits you, show the world that you can’t be broken. Whatever you throw at me, it’s cool,” he says.
Here’s a snippet from the song:
It’s time to rise up, man up, get back up, never bend and won’t be broken
Dust off and then come back for more
You’ve gotta reach down, dig deep, and break ground,
Show them all you won’t be beaten
Brush it off and then come back for more
Come back for more
Flow Communications is Johan’s first employer since working for himself for just over eight years. He says although his company had been doing well, he missed socialising and learning from other people.
“When you work on your own, your way is the only way. Working with other people opens you up and your opinion is challenged,” he says.
Project manager Kat Fouche, who has worked with Johan on a few South African Tourism projects, says: “He connects concept to delivery effortlessly. Nothing is too much trouble for him; he is a huge asset.”
Design studio manager Lorraine Gumede says: “We’re very happy to have Johan join the Flow design team. He’s settled in very well and is an extremely talented designer. He’s has already worked on a number of projects and has proven to be an asset.”
Flow Exhibitions CEO Janet Berger says: “It is such a pleasure to have Johan on the team. Having worked on his own, he knows fully what is needed to get a job done, from conceptualising to completion. What he adds to this equation is flair.
“Johan has fitted into the Flow team so easily, that it is hard to remember a time when he wasn’t here!”
