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Woven ceiling panels by John Vogel, ceramic beaded screen by Studio Kalki, Terra-cotta central planter by Plantr, green planter by TheUrbanative, woven benches by John Vogel, woven lights by Ashanti Design at Nando’s Central Kitchen, Johannesburg. -
Screen by TheUrbanative, interior designed by stré studio at Nando’s Woodmore. -
Wall-mounted steel woven screen by TheUrbanative at Nando’s Central Kitchen, Johannesburg. -
Steel woven screen by TheUrbanative behind server by Sifiso Shange (Afri Modern) at Nando’s Central Kitchen, Johannesburg. -
Screen by TheUrbanative, beaded lights by Mash T, planters by Naturalis, ceramic mural by Studio Kalki at Nando’s Central Kitchen, Johannesburg.
WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Elsa Young (Nando’s Central Kitchen); Greg Powers (Nando’s Woodmore); Justin Patrick (Right Here Right Now)
Participants will be chasing the ‘Screen Dream’ in 2024.
Each iteration of the biennial Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search seeks relevant new product designs for Nando’s local and global restaurants. For 2024, entrants have been issued a challenge to design sensational screens.
The last decade has seen the best young local talents share their designs for lights, patterns, benches and servers, which have been featured in Nando’s across the world.
Going Global
In 2022, Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam of Studio Kalki received the title of overall winner of the talent search competition, which saw designers from across South Africa conceptualising a condiment unit to showcase Nando’s much-loved sauces. The duo were invited to showcase their fynbos-inspired functional art pieces at 100% Design Africa. This year Nindya launched her whimsical lighting design, the BLOM Sconce, at Cape Town Furniture Week.
Another noteworthy rising star is Durban-based industrial and product designer Siviwe Jali. A finalist of the Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search in 2020, he won Best New Talent at Decorex Cape Town in 2022.
Thabisa Mjo of Mash T Design Studio, who won the first edition of the talent search, has described the competition as having changed the trajectory of her entire life. She went on to make history when she became the first South African designer to have her Tutu 2.0 light placed in the permanent collection of the Louvre’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France, in 2020. Thabisa was recently chosen to participate in Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘Gen D’ exhibition at Milan Design Week 2024.
HYD 2024
The fifth edition of the talent search, managed by Clout/SA, returns with a new commitment to the future of young South African designers. Hot Young Designer 2024 will not only serve as a platform for stand-out design and creativity, but as an opportunity to unlock mentorship and business acceleration. The 2024 search is seeking designers and creators who are also entrepreneurs and have a desire to understand the business side of design.
“We are looking for a standout, visually appealing screen design, which includes considered use of materials and an understanding of how the screen lives within the built environment. We would love to see a ‘wow factor’, which could include hand-crafted details or a collaboration with a crafter,” says Clout/SA creative director Tracy Lynch. “The designers that enter also need to share a little about their experience within the sector, how they approach projects, and what is important to them about delivering for their clients.”
Ten finalists, who will be chosen by a carefully curated panel of judges against the application criteria, will go on to participate in a design immersion followed by a pitch session. Thereafter, five designers will be shortlisted to take part in ‘The Laboratory of Learning’ – a focused mentorship and business programme linked to prototyping their design. A finalist will be chosen based on the quality of their participation in the Lab and will go on to access more in-depth one-on-one business mentorship.
With this new structure, HYD 2024 will showcase a winner who is not only an exceptional creative talent but also an enthusiastic entrepreneur and an ambassador for South African design. The winning screen will also be listed on The Portal to Africa – Nando’s online marketplace where interior designers working on Nando’s restaurants around the world can shop for original pieces of furniture and lighting designed and manufactured in South Africa.
“There most certainly is an interest in the work being created here. I believe our stand-out designers are harnessing the craft opportunity and including elements of the handmade, which also facilitates the preservation of SA craft,” says Tracy. “This approach, combined with the inclusion of elements linked to their identity allows for the design and manufacture of unique and authentic designer pieces which share fascinating stories preserve ancient craft skills and inspire a reframing of the narratives from SA,” she adds.
Emerging young creatives are encouraged to chase their own ‘Screen Dreams’ and submit decorative yet functional screen designs that capture a uniquely South African aesthetic. Visit the Clout/SA website to enter. Entries close on 18 June 2024.
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