Lindani Lucky Thango
Lindani Lucky Thango known as Warten Weg is a talented freelance graphic designer based in Durban, South Africa. Born on October 23, 1989, Lindani always had a passion for art and design from a young age. He grew up in a creative family where his mother was a fashion designer, and his father was a salesman. This creative environment inspired Lindani to pursue a career in graphic design.
After completing his high school education at Amandlethu Secondary School, Lindani enrolled in a graphic design program at Udemy. He learned the technical skills required to become a graphic designer, including the use of design software, typography, color theory, and layout design.
Early Life and Education
Lindani started his career as an intern at a graphic design company in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. He gained valuable experience working on various projects, including designing logos, brochures, and websites. He also learned how to work collaboratively with clients to ensure their design needs were met.
After a few years of working at the agency, Lindani decided to take the leap and start his own graphic design company called Warten Weg. He believed that working for himself would allow him to have more creative freedom and work on projects that truly inspired him.
Starting a freelance business wasn't easy, but Lindani persevered and slowly built up a client base. He focused on creating unique designs that stood out from the competition, and his clients appreciated his attention to detail and professionalism.
Today, Lindani's freelance graphic design business is thriving, and he continues to work with a variety of clients across South Africa and international clients. He has worked on projects ranging from branding and packaging design to web design and social media campaigns. His work has been recognized by industry experts, and he has won several awards for his outstanding designs.
Work
Lindani Lucky Thango went from being a successful freelance graphic designer to establishing his own design agency, Warten Weg, based in Durban, South Africa in 2018. With a team of talented designers and developers, Lindani worked on branding, packaging, and web design projects.
Expanding his business further, Lindani launched Espere Camino in 2020, an online marketplace that offers high-quality design resources such as fonts, icons, and templates. Today, both Warten Weg and Espere Camino are thriving businesses, and Lindani continues to push the boundaries of creativity while helping other designers succeed. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to design have made him a true success story, inspiring and empowering designers around the world.
Publication
Lindani's interest in design started when he built a homepage for a WordPress website. As the site gained popularity and attracted around 5,000 daily visitors, he began to monetize it by placing Google Ads, which generated a steady income of a couple of thousand dollars per month. This realization became a turning point for Lindani as he recognized the potential to make a living from graphic design and website development. To further develop his skills, Lindani enrolled in YouTube school to expand his knowledge of design. Through his dedication and hard work, Lindani has become a successful freelance designer and entrepreneur, inspiring others to pursue their passions and achieve their goals.
Books
Lindani is also a published author, with three books under his name. Books have been well-received by both design professionals and enthusiasts, further establishing him as a thought leader in the industry.
• 2020 - Lack Of Support: The Lack Of Support (Volume Book 3) - Amazon.com
• 2022 - Graphic Design Techniques - Amazon.com
• 2022 - Full Identity Design Masterclass Free Online Course Downloadable - Amazon.com
• 2023 - Designing for Social Impact: Using Graphic Design to Drive Change - Amazon.com
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How I prefer to work
Remote
Morning
Mostly on my own
Qualities I value in my colleagues
Lindani Thango, places a high value on several qualities in a colleague. Primarily, Lindani appreciates a collaborative and communicative approach. The ability to work effectively within a team, share ideas openly, and contribute to a collective creative process is crucial. Lindani values colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the table, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish. Additionally, Lindani values reliability and professionalism. A strong work ethic, punctuality, and a commitment to meeting deadlines contribute to a positive and efficient working atmosphere. This reliability ensures that projects move forward smoothly and the team can depend on each other. Furthermore, Lindani appreciates colleagues who are open to feedback and possess a growth mindset. The willingness to learn, adapt, and continuously improve is an essential quality that contributes to individual and team development within the dynamic field of graphic design. Overall, Lindani values a combination of collaborative spirit, professionalism, and a commitment to growth in colleagues.
My communication style
Lindani believes in fostering an open and transparent communication environment where ideas can be freely exchanged. Clarity is a priority, ensuring that messages are easily understood, and everyone involved in a project is on the same page. Lindani values collaboration and actively encourages team members to contribute their thoughts and feedback. The interactive communication style promotes a dynamic exchange of ideas to enhance the overall creative process. Lindani places importance on listening attentively to colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, creating a space where diverse perspectives are acknowledged and respected. In addition to being transparent and collaborative, Lindani's communication style is adapted to suit the audience's needs. Whether conveying complex design concepts to fellow creatives or explaining design decisions to clients, Lindani ensures that communication is tailored to be practical and accessible to all parties involved. Overall, Lindani Thango's communication style reflects a balance of clarity, collaboration, and adaptability.
Fun fact
Collecting vintage postcards worldwide. This passion offers a unique glimpse into diverse cultures and historical eras, combining Lindani's love for art, design, and global exploration.
Personal Q&A
What do people misunderstand about you?
Lindani Thango, a graphic designer at Warten Weg, often needs clarification regarding the depth of expertise in graphic design. People may need to pay more attention to every design project's intricate thought process and creative decision-making. Lindani's role goes beyond mere visual aesthetics; it involves a nuanced understanding of client objectives, brand identity, and effective communication through design. Sometimes, there is a misconception that graphic design is a purely subjective field without a strategic foundation. Lindani, like many graphic designers, brings a blend of artistic flair and strategic thinking. It's not just in things visually appealing but also in a message, evoking emotions, and meeting specific business goals through design. To truly appreciate Lindani's work and that of graphic designers in general, it's essential to recognise the meticulous planning, creativity, and skill that underpin the design process. It's not just about creating something that looks good; it's about crafting a visual language that communicates effectively and resonates with the target audience.
What's the best professional advice you ever received?
Lindani Thango, the graphic designer at Warten Weg, once shared the best professional advice they ever received: "Embrace the iterative process and learn from feedback." Lindani emphasises the significance of being open to revisions and feedback in the design industry. The advice underscores the idea that the creative process is often collaborative and involves continuous refinement. By welcoming feedback, designers like Lindani can gain valuable insights, refine their work, and ultimately deliver designs that better align with the client's vision and objectives. This advice encourages a mindset of growth and improvement, acknowledging that each project presents an opportunity to enhance skills and produce even more impactful designs. Lindani values the iterative nature of the design process as a means to evolve and create designs that meet and exceed client expectations.
How do you like to run meetings?
Lindani Thango, the graphic designer at Warten Weg, adopts a collaborative and inclusive approach when running meetings. Clear agendas are a cornerstone of Lindani's meeting strategy, ensuring that objectives are transparent and everyone is aligned. This clarity keeps discussions focused and contributes to the overall efficiency of the meeting. Meetings led by Lindani are characterised by interactivity and engagement. Lindani actively encourages team members to share their ideas and opinions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. This approach recognises the value of diverse perspectives in the creative process, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of ideas. Timeliness is a priority for Lindani, who believes in keeping meetings concise and to the point. This commitment to efficiency ensures that valuable time is used effectively and that discussions remain productive. In acknowledging the creative nature of graphic design, Lindani incorporates brainstorming sessions into meetings. This emphasis on creativity enables the team to explore innovative ideas collectively, contributing to the overall richness of the design process. Feedback is integral to Lindani's meeting strategy. Lindani sees meetings as a platform for constructive feedback, not only for refining ongoing projects but also for nurturing the professional development of team members. This feedback-oriented approach enhances the learning environment within the team. After each meeting, Lindani ensures a clear understanding of action items and next steps. This commitment to follow-up and accountability is instrumental in moving projects forward and effectively implementing decisions made during the meeting. Overall, Lindani's meeting approach reflects a commitment to collaboration, efficiency, creativity, and continuous improvement within the graphic design team at Warten Weg.
If you didn't have this job, what would you be doing instead?
Lindani Thango, expressed that an alternative career path would likely involve creative entrepreneurship or teaching design if not engaged in the current role. Lindani is passionate about fostering creativity and imagines establishing a design-focused venture or imparting graphic design skills to aspiring individuals. This inclination towards entrepreneurship or education underscores Lindani's commitment to graphic design and a desire to contribute to its growth and development in various capacities.