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Walter Train's screen. -
Screen by N I S H -
Simphiwe Mlambo's screen -
Screen by Mpumelelo Nyuswa -
Screen design by Kirsty Moolman
WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied
Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) 2024 announces the top five finalists in its talent search.
Each iteration of the biennial Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search, facilitated by Clout/SA, seeks relevant new product designs for Nando’s local and global restaurants. The 2024 entrants were invited to answer a ‘Screen Dream’ brief to create a screen or room divider that is not only relevant and functional but also decorative and distinct, adding to the overall ambience of a Nando’s restaurant.
Nando’s HYD has officially revealed its top five finalists for 2024: Kirsty Moolman, Tanisha Neill, Simphiwe Mlambo, Mpumelelo Nyuswa and Walter Train. The young designer-makers will now participate in an intensive ‘Laboratory of Learning’ before one stand-out candidate is selected to receive ongoing mentorship and business coaching.
A shortlist of 10 promising designer-makers was selected at the beginning of August 2024, namely, Nicky van den Aardweg, Josh and Pia McFindlay, Margo Kritzinger, Annabelle Brown, Sarafina Maluleka and the aforementioned five finalists. All were invited to a one-day immersion at Nando’s Central Kitchen in Lorentzville, Johannesburg, on Friday 6 September 2024.
“The HYD programme is dedicated to discovering and nurturing the next generation of South African design talent, helping them advance in their design and entrepreneurial journeys,” says Nando’s Design Curator Tracy Lynch, who also happens to be Clout/SA’s Creative Director. “To support this mission, we wanted to get to know our top 10 a little better. At our introduction and live pitch session they had the opportunity to meet us and connect with their fellow finalists. They also attended a Central Kitchen design tour, where they learnt about the Nando’s interior design approach and the global marketplace created for curated SA design to flow from South Africa to the world,” she adds.
As part of this immersion, all ten were asked to pitch their designs to a panel of eight judges. The jury included Tracy, Brad O’Neill and Jessica Wheeler of Nando’s SA, Nokuzola Jenness of Clout/SA, previous Nando’s HYD winners Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio, Studio Kalki‘s Nikhil Tricam and Nindya Bucktowar; and business coach Claude Morris.
During the next stage, dubbed the ‘Laboratory of Learning’, the finalists will develop prototypes of their screen designs, nurture their talent and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Based on successful participation and progress in the lab, an overall winner will emerge.
The winning designer will go on to participate in intensive one-on-one coaching, providing them with all the necessary skills to make their creative mark and achieve commercial success. The winning screen will potentially be listed on the online marketplace The Portal to Africa, a global platform where interior designers from across the world can source uniquely South African furniture.
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