
WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied
Inspiration and innovation will converge, with the Future Talks series igniting critical discussions and inspiring groundbreaking solutions at Decorex Joburg, which will take place from 1 to 4 August 2024, at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The Future Talks series at this year’s Decorex Cape Town and Decorex Joburg encompass a multifaceted exploration of topics, ranging from sustainability and circularity to design entrepreneurship and the transformative impact of technology on the creative landscape.
The Future Talks stage will feature a diverse array of industry experts tackling the most critical topics in the design world. This exciting line-up promises to inspire and provoke thought.
The Line-up
Tristan du Plessis – The renowned international interior designer’s presentation will set the stage for an exceptional four-day event, promising to be an inspiring and influential gathering for all attendees.
Steve Smith – VISI’s editor-in-chief, will lead an exciting panel discussion on ‘The Business of Sustainability’ – tackling how to integrate sustainability into standard business processes and exploring what inspires the new generation of designers.
Georgina Smit – The green building specialist and Senior Manager at the Green Building Council South Africa, will be discussing green building solutions and highlighting various strategies and innovative solutions that can be deployed to achieve net zero carbon. She’ll explore how designers can avoid greenwashing by sharing globally agreed frameworks on circular design and principles.
Audrey Nanjala – The interior architect and educator will be discussing how interior design can advance spatial justice and inclusivity in South Africa. Her talk will highlight how thoughtful design practices can create equitable and inclusive spaces. Attendees will discover key principles, insightful case studies, and the transformative power of interior design in fostering environments that support diverse community needs.
Thapelo Ramahlo and Tshegofatso Choenyane of MaXhosa Africa Lifestyle – They will share experiences, challenges, and high points with MaXhosa Africa, along with the vision for the brand’s future, including sustainability efforts.
Andrea Kleinloog – One half of the HesseKleinloog and Anatomy Design team alongside Megan Hesse, Andrea will offer an honest insight into working in Africa as both a designer and a woman. In her talk titled ‘Women in Design: Working in Africa,’ she will discuss the realities of the design trade and environment. This session is specifically targeted at students in the industry, providing them with a candid understanding of the trade and the environment they will encounter upon graduation.
Pumla Maswanganyi – The founding principal of MM + Co, a design agency dedicated to democratising access to art and design to promote development mandates, will headline a presentation titled ‘African Life-Centric Design: Principles for Moving from Extraction to Regeneration’. This talk will explore the construction of a next-frontier approach to design and creation, focusing on shaping the continent’s future.
Esther Martins – The Dean of the Built Environment Faculty at Inscape Education Group, will emphasise sustainability, cultural integration and technological advancements in shaping our built environment in a talk titled ‘Designer Futures: Reflecting on the Past, Understanding the Present, and Imagining the Future from a South African Perspective’.
Other speakers set to take the stage include Jana Hamman and Koos Groenewald of the in-demand creative branding and design agency Jana + Koos, who also designed the mind-bending 2024 Future Talks visual identity. Joining them are multidisciplinary sustainable designer Matthew Edwards, architect Nerina Naude, Andrew Berry, Director of brand consultancy The Bread, artist and curator Siwa Mgoboza, circular designer Pim Dekkers, and more.
The Future Talks 2024 are free to attend with general admission tickets to the show, which are valid for one day. Pre-registration is required as the talks will have limited space, so be sure to plan your visit via the dedicated Decorex app, which will have all the information you need as well as live updates.
VISI is the proud media sponsor of The Future Talks.
Decorex Joburg
Experience this active shift towards impact design for yourself and join the designers and creatives paving the way to the future at Decorex Joburg (1 to 4 August 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre). | decorex.co.za
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