WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring
The first day of the 2015 Design Indaba conference saw a range of both local and international speakers share their passion for creativity and thoughtful design.
From successful locally produced ads and slick furniture design to young creatives making change, we just had to share a few of our favourite discoveries.
- Joe Public United
Local ad agency Joe Public United, headed up by Pepe Marais and Xolisa Dyeshana, is responsible for the recognisable (and award-winning) Run Jozi Run campaign. We all know it, but if you haven’t seen this video about how it came together and the success it achieved, watch it. Pretty remarkable.
Video via The Loeries on YouTube
- Hella Jongerius
Dutch designer Hella Jongerius is behind the redesign of the interior of the UN’s North Delegates’ Lounge in New York. One of the most striking elements of the space is the ‘Knots & Beads Curtain’, created from a combination of yarn and 30 000 clay beads.
Image via Frank Oudeman via jongeriuslab.com
- The Workers (Ross Cairns and Tommaso Lanza)
This London-based design studio used their expertise in digital technology to create this amazing project that allowed users from across the globe to “head into” the Tate Britain museum after dark (with the help of four robots, of course). Here’s a quick teaser.
Video via brightcove.com
- Naeem Biviji of Studio Propolis
Studio Propolis is a furniture design studio based in Nairobi. They were commissioned to create furniture for a cathedral in Western Kenya. The designs include a new door, stacking chairs and these functional, yet beautifully designed pews, made from sustainable and locally sourced cyprus.
Image via studiopropolis.com
- Ackeem Ngwenya
Design engineer Ackeem Ngwenya (one of this year’s Pecha Kucha speakers) is designing for change. His project involves creating a tyre that can handle different terrains instead of waiting for new roads to be built. Watch here.
Image and video via indiegogo.com
- Teresa van Dongen
This Dutch designer (also part of the Pecha Kucha group of speakers) is fascinated by using nature as a source of energy. We just loved her Ambio project, which aimed to find a new form of light through movement.
Video via Teresa van Dongen on Vimeo
- Michael Bierut
We had to share this clever redesigned logo for SAKS Fifth Avenue by famed graphic designer and partner at Pentagram in New York City, Michael Bierut.
Image via pentagram.com
