On Saturday 23 July 2016, Southern Guild, South Africa’s premier design gallery, in Woodstock, Cape Town, hosted the fourth annual Southern Guild Design Foundation Awards, which recognised top achievers in innovative local design and manufacture for 2015/2016.
The awards were judged by a Design Foundation sub-committee and nominations came from an external jury that included previous Icon Award winner and founder of Imiso Ceramics, Andile Dyalvane, curator and interior designer Tracy Lynch, Angus Campbell from the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Industrial Design, as well as publisher and founder of The City agency Zahira Asmal.
“A Design Foundation Award is one of the most prestigious accolades a South African design company can receive,” says board member and Southern Guild founder Trevyn McGowan. “It’s not solely about recognising immense success and awarding new talent – the awards are part of the foundation’s greater goal to support the industry and aid in its country-wide growth. Design is not only an aesthetic ideal – it exists to solve problems and create solutions. Whether it’s a seating option or resolving a social issue, we want to highlight those who are really making an impact in South Africa in order to motivate others to do the same.”
The awards recognised established companies, as well as emerging designers across seven categories: Icon, Object that Moves, Maker to Market, Manufacture, Future Found, Apprentice, as well as Design with Purpose.
2015/2016 Southern Guild Design Foundation Award Winners
ICON AWARD (sponsored by American Hardwood Export Council)
Winner: Dokter and Misses (Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “This is awarded in recognition of work produced by a highly regarded South African design company, acknowledging outstanding achievement, innovation and career advancement.”
Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin. Photo: Brett Rubin
OBJECT THAT MOVES AWARDS (sponsored by House and Leisure)
Winner: Wonki Ware (Di Marshall)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “This award celebrates the designer of an original product that has experienced great commercial success – aspirational and top-end, yet commercially viable to sell in multiples.”
MAKER TO MARKET AWARD (sponsored by Adams & Adams)
Winner: Pichulik (Katherine-Mary Pichulik)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “This goes to a design company that understands the value of marketing, consumer interaction, packaging and delivery. Adams & Adams will offer its professional lawyer services to this company.
Katherine-Mary Pichulik
MANUFACTURE AWARD (sponsored by Bronze Age)
Winner: Woodheads (Richard Harris and Geert Schuiling)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “In recognition of a manufacturer who has gone beyond expectation to aid designers in realising their products.”
FUTURE FOUND AWARD (sponsored by 100% Design South Africa).
Winner: Pinda Furniture Design (Siyanda Mbele)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “100% Design South Africa will offer this young designer who has already achieved excellence with limited resources a space to exhibit at this year’s trade show.”
Photo: Jimmy Reynolds
Photo: Bright Dimba
Siyanda Mbele of Pinda Furniture Design
APPRENTICE AWARD (sponsored by Wiid Design)
Winner: Jason van der Linde (Industrial design graduate, University of Johannesburg)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “The winner is offered a 12-month internship to work alongside this multidisciplinary designer and craftsman.”
Jason van der Linde
Jason van der Linde is offered a 12-month internship to work at Wiid Design.
DESIGN WITH PURPOSE AWARD (sponsored by Creative Brands)
Winner: Repurpose Schoolbags (Thato Kgatlhanye)
Southern Guild Design Foundation: “Recognises socially responsible work done by a company or designer, within the South African landscape, with a focus on design aspects, that makes a difference in the lives of communities.”
