Design Indaba Expo: 10 ways to drive a revolution

1. MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION
Design Indaba’s reach and reputation in terms of global awareness is cemented by over 20 media partners, including highly esteemed publications such as Axis, Icon, Novum, +81, Modern Media, Creative Review, ID, Dezeen, Design Week and Surface. This vote of confidence is accentuated by the fact that the very editors of these publications deem the event worthy of their personal coverage. Yes, heavyweight design writers including Laetitia Wolf, Katsutoshi Ishibashi, Justin McGuirk, Lynda Relph-Knight, Marcus Fairs, Julie Lasky and Patrick Burgoyne are all Design Indaba regulars.

2. THROUGH-THE-LINE CORPORATE ENDORSEMENT
Design Indaba’s potency is reinforced by having an assembly of leading multinationals and some of the largest companies in South Africa as corporate partners to the initiative – including Vodacom, Absa and Coca-Cola. The presence of these corporates is essential in terms of augmenting large-scale commissions. While creatives can certainly get by among themselves, the industry can grow much larger by speaking to and inspiring the commissioners. After all, designers are commercial artists, earning their living off corporate clients.

3. VAST LOCAL MEDIA MOBILISATION
Design Indaba has established partnerships with two of the most significant media levers in terms of reaching the domestic market. The SABC, which has the biggest media footprint in the country, is dedicating substantial broadcast airtime to the event. Avusa Media’s newest daily publication, The Times, which also hosts the fastest growing online South African news portal, will be reporting live from the event through vodcasts, podcasts and blogs. The Times is setting up a full editorial team of five people right on the Expo floor. The new Design Indaba Journalism Workshop will also see 30 of South Africa’s design journalists doing hands-on workshop reportage of the Expo, under the guidance of leading international design critic Susan Yelavich.

4. BUYERS TRAVEL FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
The number of buyers that are pre-registering for Design Indaba 2008 is just astounding. Already we have confirmed more than 200 registered buyers – double last year’s headcount. Representatives of Walmart, Anthropologie, Gap, Globus, the Conran Shop, Galeries Lafayette and the Rainbow Gallery establish the calibre of the buyers. The Department of Trade and Industry is further sponsoring another 20 buyers. Two dedicated buyers’ mornings have been set aside to allow exhibitors one-on-one time to get their products exported. Indeed, Beverly Price sold earrings to someone in Tromsø, Norway – as close as you can get to the North Pole – through a buyer she met at Design Indaba last year.

5. FIRST PRIZE FOR EVERYONE
Design Indaba has stood firm in upholding the highest of standards. Featuring only original, contemporary and innovative products made and conceived in southern Africa, there are no derivatives or imports. An advisory panel of the best South African designers, stylists, critics and industry experts approves each exhibitor. It is significant that this process is not a legislative directive, but based on peer-review, which is the most mature way of establishing any standard – as is done in academic journals.

6. DIVERSITY IS A WORLD FIRST
To our knowledge, Design Indaba is a world first in terms of its multi-disciplinary nature that showcases 13 sectors of the creative industries alongside each other. Straddling product design, fashion, film, jewellery, graphic design, architecture and more, Design Indaba’s eclecticism and diversity is really what South Africa is about. The inspiration that is available on tap through this juxtaposition and sharing of ideas is paramount to the constant generation of fresh ideas. Having contributed this approach to the global creative discourse, increasingly we find that other international platforms are starting to emulate it.

7. GROWING DISCERNING CONSUMERS
Discerning customers that demand high-quality local design are essential for pushing design products into our leading retailers. With more than 20 000 visitors stepping through the doors of Design Indaba Expo last year, our mission to educate and entice local consumers is clearly paying off. Since its inception, the amount of visitors has annually grown by more than 30% – which means that we’re expecting almost 30 000 this year. To these ends, an extra day has been added to the now four-day Design Indaba Expo and a dedicated fashion arena is being launched. The last day of the Expo also corresponds with the conference registration, ensuring that local and international delegates and speakers are sure to spend the day at the Expo. Further promoting this awareness, 2008 sees the first step in ordaining the South African Design Week.

8. FERTILISING THE FUTURE
Ensuring that the design industry in South Africa is constantly flooded with new talent is essential in a long-term strategy of sustained growth. Design Indaba has always supported new young designers and 2008 sees 40 Emerging Creatives showing their products at the Expo for the first time, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture. The Woolworths Making the Difference Through Design (MTDTD) programme also provides a hands-on educational opportunity for school learners.

9. DE FACTO THOUGHT LEADERS
In an emerging economy where there is still no policy framework for development of the creative industries, let alone a mapping study, nor even a national design council, Design Indaba has become the de facto reference point. Bringing the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Arts and Culture and the Western Cape Economic Development and Tourism on board, the design message is reaching the decision makers. Our advocacy activities also include drafting the “Creative Industries: The Sleeper in the South African Economy" document, which was briefed to cabinet ministers and the Office of the Presidency, resulting in the creative industries being highlighted as one of nine sectors to form part of an accelerated growth strategy.

10. BIGGER THAN AN EVENT
Design Indaba is more than an event, it is a socially conscious drive for the local creative industry. Besides the conference, expo, quarterly magazine, workshops, educational initiatives and proactive advocacy, Design Indaba is constantly looking for new ways to grow. This year will see the first phase of the 10x10 Housing Project come to life, as well as the announcement of the Creative Alliance, the African Carbon Standard and a venture capital component. Design Indaba thrives all year round, all decade round and paves the future for creativity in South Africa.












Venue:
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Halls 1a, 2 and 3

Public opening hours:
23 to 26 February 2008 Saturday – 10am to 6pm Sunday – 10am to 6pm Monday – 11am to 6pm Tuesday – 11am to 6pm

Tickets:
No pre-booking is necessary, and tickets are available at the door at a cost of: R45 – adults R25 – students and pensioners R15 – children under 12 Children under 5 are free

Design Indaba 2008: Two weeks to go, don’t miss out!

Two weeks to go until Design Indaba 2008 and some of the makers of the world as we know it are preparing to arrive in Cape Town for what has been called the world’s most glamorous design convention. Running from February 23 to 29, 2008, the Design Indaba Expo will be extended by a day and precede the Design Indaba Conference this year, in the inauguration of South African Design Week.

From Bill Moggridge, who designed the world’s first laptop, to South African Oona Scheepers who has designed interiors for Porsche and Audi, the Design Indaba Conference, from February 27 to 29, is set to push cerebral limitations into yoga-like pretzels. The Young Designer’s Simulcast, allowing students and designers under 25 to experience the Conference in a live telecast for a reduced price will again run simultaneously.

Shunji Yamanaka, acclaimed designer of humanoid robots; Ilse Crawford, founding editor of Elle Décor; Ivan Chermayeff, responsible for the NBC and Mobil logos; and Li Edelkoort, the world’s most renowned trend forecaster, lead a stellar cast of 37 industry heavyweights on the conference programme. Adding to the mix, Marije Vogelzang is set to seduce with her food installations, Jonathan Levien and Nipa Doshi to enchant with their Indian-European mashups, and Maxim Velcovsky to undoubtedly astound with the size of his hair.

Driving critical debate around local creative industries, South African fashion designers Amanda Laird Cherry, Gavin Rajah and Nkhensani Nkosi will up the eye-candy in a multi-media panel interview interrogating the future and significance of South African fashion. Creators of the MTV orb, Hjalti Karlsson and Jan Wilker from New York, will also be presenting a bespoke graphic design project that responds to their experience of South African culture, streets, cuisine, creative communities and charm – we call it “Foreign Eye for the Local Guy”.

The inimitable Paul D Miller – aka DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid – will also be taking the conference podium. His New York is Now music-visual installation, initially shown at the African Pavilion at the 2007 Venice Biennale, will be installed at the Michaelis School of Fine Art from February 24 to March 10 for free public viewing.

However, will these international big shots even stand ground when compared to the full force of the South African creative industries at the Design Indaba Expo? Running from February 23 to 26, this year’s Expo has been extended by an extra day after last year hosted more than 20 000 visitors. Over 250 exhibitors will be displaying the most original South African jewellery, graphic design, architecture, product design, décor, industrial design, craft and film.

Shop, look, learn, love, be inspired… and be sure to stop in at the Brandhouse
/LiquidChefs designer bar for a relaxing tipple or trendy food chain Lulu’s for a tasty nibble, while you consider who you should vote for in the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award. Yes, for the first time the award will be determined by public opinion poll via SMS. You also get to have a say in the best stand award at the Creative Cape Town booth.

Play at being a trend forecaster at the Emerging Creatives platform, sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture. Showcasing 40 of the country’s freshest, youngest designers just embarking on their careers, this is a trend-spotter’s delight. The likes of Alfalfa, Andile Dyalvane, Warren Lewis and Lyall Sprong all launched their careers here.

In response to the overwhelming amount of visitors’ and buyers’ interest, Design Indaba Expo is also launching a new, dedicated fashion hall sponsored by the SABC. PWHOA by Richard de Jager, I Love Leroy by Sarah Webber, Lunar, Ruby, Afro Diva by Hip Hop, Suzaan Heyns, Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs, Karen Monk Klinjstra, Earthquake by John Sithole, Amanda Laird Cherry, Stiaan Louw, Sin by Sandhya Lalloo and Native by Craig Native have already confirmed participation in Design Indaba’s unique fashion concept that marries performing arts and high couture.

Also running in conjunction with Design Indaba Expo are the Specialist Indabas on architecture, jewellery and lifestyle on February 25 and 26. These breakaway sessions offer concentrated insights for professionals, the public and interested parties and include maestro of British-Japanese architecture Mark Dytham, installation maniac Jason Burges, avant-garde Swiss jeweller Christoph Zellweger, top studio jeweller Wendy Ramshaw and more on the programme.

For the first time, there will also be a Design Indaba Journalism Workshop, which will see 30 of South Africa’s design journalists doing hands-on workshop reportage of the Expo, under the guidance of leading international design critic Susan Yelavich, as well as Frederico Duarte, freelance writer and communications designer, Portugal; Marcus Fairs, editor of Dezeen and former editor of Icon magazine, UK; and Julie Lasky, editor-in-chief of ID magazine, US.

Design Indaba in association with Absa have also booked an evening at Madame Zingara on Wednesday 27 February, 2008, to host our Design Indaba international speakers, guests and sponsors. A handful of tickets are available for purchase by members of the public and design fraternity, the proceeds of which will go to the Design Indaba Trust, which supports needy design students.

DJ Spooky installation at Design Indaba 2008

Design Indaba is pleased to announce the presentation of the New York Is Now music-visual installation by Paul D Miller (DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid) at Michaelis School of Fine Art. Forming part of Design Indaba’s South African Design Week, this free event offers unique entry into the world of DJ Spooky.

Selected for the African Pavilion at the 2007 Venice Biennale, New York is Now is a response to the conditions that art engages with in the 21st-century’s fast-paced and networked global culture. Using archival footage and early avant-garde cinema mixed with his own music, New York Is Now is an exploration of memory through a multimedia digital opera about a city made of improvisations, disjunctions, overlapping histories and multiple rhythms.

“It kind of reverse-engineers some of the issues that started Surrealism – mainly how Europe appropriated many of the themes of what was going on in Africa, Asia and Latin America. I wanted to create a portrait of New York as a series of fictions and video poems, but crafted with Africa in mind,” DJ Spooky told James Webb in the latest Design Indaba magazine.

Miller has long been at home in the global digital culture scene – as an artist, musician, and writer. His work has focused on urban culture as a globally interconnected platform of digital media. Most recently, Miller released Creation Rebel (2007), which is a follow-up remix of the previous year’s critically acclaimed double disk archive of Jamaican music from Trojan Records – In Fine Style: DJ Spooky presents 50 000 Volts of Trojan Records. Linking contemporary music production with traditional techniques forged by musicians such as King Tubby and U-Roy, the album has been lauded for showing that hip-hop was originally born in Jamaica, not New York.

“It’s amazing to have such a stalwart of the music and visual arts scene here in Cape Town. This is yet another event in the free programme that supports the Design Indaba main event. We are certain that Paul will be as inspired by us as we are in awe of him,” said Ravi Naidoo, founder of Design Indaba and director of Interactive Africa.

Miller agreed: “I’m looking forward to presenting my work at the foot of Africa. Cape Town has a hotbed of creatives that I’m sure will appreciate my work.”

Exhibition from February 24 to March 10, 2008
Gallery opening times: 10 to 6pm Monday to Saturday

Michaelis School of Fine Art
University of Cape Town
32 to 37 Orange Street
Gardens, Cape Town

Design Indaba 2008 Conference pop quiz!

Two weeks to go until Design Indaba 2008 and some of the world's most influential creatives are dusting off their luggage to travel to Cape Town. From laptops, robots and cars to media, logos and events, what would the world be like without these people?

Who designed the world’s first laptop?

Who is the founding editor of Elle Décor?

Who made Pechu Kucha nights as significant as moleskins and Apple?

Who designed two of the world’s most recognisable logos?

Who created the MTV orb?

Who rebranded the US’s biggest TV channel, CBS?

Who received the Wallpaper Best Breakthrough Designer award in 2007?

Who is the world’s most recognised trend forecaster?

Who styled the interiors on the Porsche Carrera GT, Cayenne and Caymann, as well as the Audi R8, A5 and A4?

Who is the senior creative director at Philips Design?

Who is the father of the turntablist-as-artist concept?

Who is one of the world’s leading designers of humanoid robots?

Who designed Sony’s best-selling LCD television?

Who was instrumental in the design of the OXO GoodGrips universal kitchen tools?

Who is on the front cover of Taschen’s Graphic Design Now?

Find out at Design Indaba 2008!

A night of enchantment with Design Indaba and Madame Zingara

Design Indaba in association with Absa have booked an evening at Madame Zingara on Wednesday 27 February, 2008, to host our Design Indaba international speakers, guests and sponsors.

Cape Town’s Madame Zingara – the eat-see-gasp-laugh “eatertainment” extravaganza – has evolved into a cult phenomenon, with a following that stretches far beyond its home base. Housed in a historic 1920s-era Spiegelpaleis tent, Madame Zingara’s third season continues to enchant, seduce and inspire.

Design Indaba is offering seats to the design fraternity to join us for this magical evening and share a night of dinner-theatre with leading designers from across the globe. This is a unique opportunity to network and mingle with the top creative professionals headlining Design Indaba 2008.

Tables are available with either six or eight seats, or individual tickets can be booked. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Design Indaba Trust, which offers disadvantaged students the opportunity to follow their design dream.

Only 130 seats are available, please book at Lucinda Johannes. Email: lucinda@interactiveafrica.com or Tel: (021) 465 9966. Tickets are R375 each, excluding drinks.

To the unintiated Madame Zingara might be simply be described as “dinner theatre” – and there’s nothing new or unusual there. “Oh, it’s so much more,” says co-owner Richard Griffin. “We set out to create magic, a place where people can truly escape for a night – a secret world where there aren’t taxes, traffic, diseases or heartache. People seem to connect with Zingara on an emotional level – it’s a way of life, an attitude.”

South Africa’s Sunday Times Lifestyle describes Madame Zingara as a “slickly-choreographed dinner-theatre concept that sees chefs, waitrons, aerial artists, cabaret performers and assorted thrillmeisters sweep, swoon and fly past diners’ heads, hearts and mouths. It’s one-part Cirque du Soleil and one-part Tod Browning’s 1932 film classic, Freaks, mixed with a healthy lashing of good old-fashioned Cape hospitality.”

Madame Zingara’s jaw-dropping acts include: Brazil’s Ivan Silva and Martin Alvez who perform a drooling strong-man act; the ever-popular larger than life divas, The Tons (Dorothy Engelbrecht, Lilian Khumalo, Stella Magaba and Marguerita Freeks); aerial acts; cabaret and comedy.

Construction New Media Awards

CNMA 2008: Time is running out - enter now!

The Construction New Media Awards, now in its eighth year, celebrates and elevates the status of new media design by honouring and accrediting those designers, writers, programmers and thinkers who produce challenging, imaginative interactive work, both on a creative and a functional platform.

Open to Professionals and Students

Due to popular demand, the Construction New Media Awards has reopened to entries by professionals. Entries from South African and international students are also encouraged.

The Categories

Entries can qualify in one of four categories, namely: online, offline, motion graphics and innovation. Innovation is a new category inspired by the constant redefinition of the digital space.

The Prize

A gold trophy will be awarded in each category at a ceremony during the Design Indaba Conference 2008, with one overall winner receiving the Grand Prix. There may be no fortune in winning a Construction New Media Award. However, the opportunity to have your work viewed by our renowned judges is paramount. The top student winner will receive a trip to the UK to work alongside an acclaimed designer.

The Judges

The work will be judged by Andries Odendaal (Wireframe, Cape Town), Patrick Burgoyne (Creative Review, London) and Simon Waterfall (Poke, London).

The Entry Deadline

15 February 2008

How to enter:

Registration is done online by visiting www.constructionaward.com or by visiting the registration page directly, by clicking here.

DESIGN INDABA EXPO UPSIZES FOR 2008

“Live more beautifully and help grow SA’s design economy.”

Now in its fifth year, Design Indaba Expo has established itself as the premier showcase of South African creativity – and it continues to grow. In 2008 visitors will be treated to an even bigger expo floor with even more exhibitors and the addition of a dedicated fashion hall.

The Design Indaba Expo has also been extended for an extra day, running from 23 to 26 February 2008, giving everyone the opportunity to be exposed to the hottest contemporary South African design. Visitors are given unique access to the designers themselves, many of whom will be launching their new ranges and products at the Expo.

Shop, look, learn, love, be inspired…

A wider spectrum of the new generation of talented BEE and PDI designers will also participate, thanks to the Department of Trade and Industry’s continued support. The dti will also be bringing 20 international buyers out to the Expo to encourage the export of South African product. In turn, the Department of Arts and Culture have enabled the next generation of local designers to participate in the Emerging Creatives initiative.

The new dedicated fashion hall sponsored by the SABC will host all-day fashion shows and a South African short film and music video festival. Building on the fashion concept introduced in 2007, the fashion arena will again reject the traditional runway for a more performance-orientated approach. A fashion boutique will also be housed in the space.

On the main floor, linger longer at the Brandhouse/LiquidChefs designer bar and watch as Roland Wrapped to the Max wrap a series of motor vehicles with prize-winning graphic designs. The graphics will be printed out and applied to the cars right on the Expo floor. A host of design competitions, awards and interactive projects will also invite participation from visitors.

Nominees for the coveted Most Beautiful Object in South Africa Award will also be on display. For the first time, this award will be chosen by the public via SMS vote – so come and make your aesthetic ruling and stand in line to win an award yourself!

For learners, the Woolworths My School campaign will provide a hands-on, educational opportunity for learners. Making the Difference Through Design (MTDTD), presented by Woolworths in partnership with Sappi and Design Indaba, will also be bringing up to 300 learners to the Expo, to expose them to cutting-edge SA design. MTDTD, launched in 2006, introduced the first design curriculum for South African schools.

Venue:
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Halls 1a, 2 and 3

Public opening hours:
23 to 26 February 2008
Saturday – 10am to 6pm
Sunday – 10am to 6pm
Monday – 11am to 6pm
Tuesday – 11am to 6pm

Tickets:
No pre-booking is necessary, and tickets are available at the door at a cost of:
R45 – adults
R25 – students and pensioners
R15 – kids under 12
Kids under 5 are free

Young Designers Simulcast bookings open

As part of Design Indaba’s ongoing commitment to design education, Design Indaba 2008 will again offer a Young Designers Simulcast, catering to young designers and students under the age of 25. This is a live broadcast from the main plenary session to a second auditorium. Students and young designers will be able to access speakers in short, informal chat sessions during and at the end of the day.

For the reduced price of R950, South Africa’s future generation of designers have a unique access card to experiencing the foremost creative event in the country. Young designers can also buy a simulcast ticket and a year’s subscription to the award-winning Design Indaba Magazine for R1095.





This year, the Design Indaba Conference from Wednesday 27 February to Friday 29 February, 2008, will again offer a dynamically curated cast of the world’s leading creative thinkers. Expect a broad range from the likes of Paul D Miller (US) – aka DJ Spooky the Subliminal Kid – who revives the world’s musical heritage through modern reinventions, to Ilse Crawford (UK), founding editor of Elle Decoration and an active proponent of emotional design for modern living, and Oscar E Peña, senior creative director at Philips Design.

Paul Miller

Also seeking to imbue meaning through design, Maxim Velcovsky (Czech Republic) is leading the Czech design revolution with ironic takes on the country’s historic socialism. In turn, Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien (UK) celebrate global diversity by marrying together Indian and European design.

Two leaders in design for technology are also expected. Although widely recognised for his industrial design feats, Tucker Viemeister (US) has brought new meaning to the term "multi-media" through his inclusive approach that aims to extend internet and interface across all platforms. Bill Moggridge (UK) is also a trained industrial designer but, as founder of IDEO, has pioneered the integration of user interface design into product development.

While user interface design was forged in the technology sphere, it is the same awareness of psychology and human interaction that informs South African-born car interiors designer Oona Scheepers, well known for her work at Audi, as well as Marije Vogelzang (Holland) who tackles bad eating habits by recontextualising the ritual of food.

The pressing need for the world to recontextualise environmental concerns are particularly topical right now. Jason Bruges (UK) combines environmental awareness with innovative technologies to create interventions that exist in between the worlds of architecture, installation art and interaction design. Cross-platform design agency Airside (UK) have also aligned their animation, digital and graphic design with efforts to reduce the impact of the company on the environment.

Toshiyuki Kita

A strong contingent of speakers from Japan further explore this need for elegant technological solutions. Design anthropologist Shinichi Takemura explores the changes in social interactions caused by the widespread technological devices, while industrial designer Shunji Yamanaka bases his innovations on extensive psychological research.

Drawing inspiration from his native Japanese culture, product designer Toshiyuki Kita also uses technology to enable designs that embody a completely new viewpoint. Graphic designer Hideki Inaba is known for pushing the boundaries of aesthetics into the future of visual communication.

From the graphic design hall of fame, Gert Dumbar (Holland) is renowned for his disaster pictograms and creating accessible identities for civic institutions. Meanwhile, representatives of the new wave of young design studios in New York, Hjalti Karlsson and Jan Wilker will present a bespoke presentation on South Africa, based on a real-time design project that entails the pair travelling across the country for two weeks. The project will attempt to gauge the world’s view of South Africa.

Invitation of participation: Design Indaba Journalism Workshop

For the first time, Design Indaba is presenting the Design Indaba Journalism Workshop in conjunction with the Design Indaba Expo taking place from February 23 to 26, 2008, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Susan Yelavich

Led by New York design critic and assistant professor at Parsons, Susan Yelavich, with the assistance of an international team of acclaimed editors, journalists and writers: Frederico Duarte, freelance writer and communications designer, Portugal; Marcus Fairs, editor of Dezeen and former editor of Icon magazine, UK; and Julie Lasky, editor-in-chief of ID magazine, US.

Starting from the premise that the products and places of design are catalysts for social interactions and also containers of social memory, the Design Indaba Journalism Workshop will explore how the perceptive journalist can illuminate the tangible and the intangible value of design.

“Every object of design resonates with the intentions of its maker, but when it enters the world it takes on new dimensions – economic, social, cultural, even political. Accordingly, design criticism should go beyond reportage and promotion to stimulate public conversations about the nature of those objects and the experiences, meanings and values they engender. Our readers need to know they are respected as both citizens and consumers.” – Susan Yelavich.

Participation

The workshop is open to all journalists working in South Africa. Limited places are available and will be awarded on a first come basis.

The cost is R1500,00 per person. This includes access to the Design Indaba Expo from February 23 to 26, the Simulcast of the Design Indaba Conference from February 27 to 29 and the three Specialist Indabas on February 25 and 26. Participation does not include accommodation and transport.

The workshop is open to countrywide participation and is aimed at professional junior, middle-weight and freelance journalists. Participants of the workshop will be expected to publish their work as an outcome to the workshop and each journalist will also be given a blog to use during their participation. The workshop is an accredited MAPPPSETA skills programme.

Design Indaba’s commitment to the creative industries in SA goes beyond events. The objective of the workshop is to investigate the significance of design journalism and critique in South Africa. National media have an important role in the education of the South African public about the role and impact that design can have on an emerging country. The Design Indaba Journalism Workshop is an extension of this commitment and will ensure that local media have the opportunity to learn and engage with expert international writers and editors.

Buyers flock to Design Indaba Expo 2008

Design Indaba Expo 2008 has already pre-registered more than 160 local and international buyers. With still a month to go before the event, this is a significant increase on 2007, which recorded 112 buyers at the final event.

Of these buyers, 76 are local buyers and 74 international buyers from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, The Netherlands, South Korea and Dubai. A further 13 buyers have registered specifically for the jewellery showcase.

“The Expo is a fantastic opportunity for international buyers to meet the designers and see the products beautifully displayed. It’s also great to see new designers and products that are out there. Designers have a goal to work towards the Indaba and then to present the work in a complete way. Work takes on a new light when beautifully displayed on a stand. The Design Indaba Expo has come of age, it feels grown-up in size,” said Expo jewellery curator and buyer Jennifer Fair after a satisfied buying experience last year.

Featuring only original, contemporary and innovative product made and conceived in South Africa, the Design Indaba Expo has been the quintessential showcase of local creative products for five years. Annually growing in reputation and scope, the Expo has recorded exponential growth in both buyers and visitors with more than 20 000 visitors and 112 buyers last year.

Longstanding Design Indaba partner, the Department of Trade and Industry also acknowledge the economic potential of encouraging international awareness of South African creative products. This year, the dti are sponsoring 20 buyers from brands including Galeries Lafayette, Kizow, Catembo, Rainbow Gallery, Globus Department Stores and the Urban Collective to attend the event.

“The dti has been involved with the Design Indaba Expo since its inception and every year we are inundated with more and more buyer requests. The Expo is evidently growing international opportunities for creative South African entrepreneurs to leverage their goods and services – and this corresponds entirely with the dti’s mandate,” said Nadia Sujee, the dti's Director of Creative Industries.

“Displaying constant growth, the Design Indaba Expo is also remarkable for not having stagnated. This is possibly because of its long-term investments in building skills, technology and infrastructure platforms, and broad-based BEE initiatives. Keeping it proudly South African, Design Indaba has also elevated the profile of local design among local audiences,” Sujee continued.

The economic leverage of the buyers attending Expo is significant. In 2005 the dti-supported foreign buyers alone ordered in excess of R1 million, in 2006 over R1,5 million and in 2007 more than R3 million from Expo exhibitors.

More than financial success, is the growing international reputation of South African designers. Eco-light designer Heath Nash participated in 100% London and 100% Tokyo last year thanks to contacts made at the Expo, while architect and industrial designer Tsai received a Red Dot award for his Nested Bunkbeds, first shown at the Expo. In turn, Streetwires’s participation in the Expo resulted in a commission for 200 life-sized wire sheep from an American company.

“I find the Design Expo an invaluable event for touching base with established designers, discovering fresh emerging talent, feeling the heartbeat of our growing industry and for having a really good time,” said Trevyn McGowan a South African sourcing agent for the international retail market, including the Conran Shop in the UK and Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Terrain in the US. She also works with a number of boutique stores in Europe. In 2007 she wrote R10-million worth of orders for South African products.

Mike Purdham, Design Expo manager, agreed: “South African design improves in quality and quantity every year. This year the Design Indaba Expo is bigger than ever in terms of exhibitors and floor space. With more buyers too, we are expecting the financial indicators to set a record high.”

Design Indaba Expo has always set a benchmark in the South African design industry. Rather than being filled, like traditional trade shows, the Expo is curated by an advisory panel of the best South African designers, stylists, critics and industry experts. Thus, a high standard of originality, production and commercial value is ensured well before the doors even open to the public.

“Based on the qualifying portfolios, this year’s exhibitors are an indication of how much the local design fraternity has grown in terms of both scope and excellence. More than 250 exhibitors are confirmed. Design stalwarts are returning with new products, while at least 50 brand new exhibitors will be charming the Expo visitors for the first time,” Purdham went on.

This year also sees the launch of a dedicated fashion hall sponsored by SABC. The space will host all-day fashion shows and a South African short film and music video festival. Building on the fashion concept introduced in 2007, the fashion arena will again reject the traditional runway for a more atmospheric approach. A fashion boutique will also be housed in the space.

Venue:
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Halls 1a, 2 and 3

Public opening hours:
23 to 26 February 2008
Saturday – 10am to 6pm
Sunday – 10am to 6pm
Monday – 11am to 6pm
Tuesday – 11am to 6pm

Tickets:
No pre-booking is necessary, and tickets are available at the door at a cost of:
R45 – adults
R25 – students and pensioners
R15 – kids under 12
Kids under 5 are free

Design Indaba specialist focus: Architecture, Lifestyle and Jewellery

Design Indaba 2008 will again present the Specialist Indabas to complement the main conference programme. Focusing on sectors identified as key areas of development in South Africa, these sessions will run alongside the Design Indaba Expo this year, allowing attendance by conference delegates and the public.

JEWELLERY INDABA: 25 February 2008, 1pm to 3pm

Pioneer of nanocrystalline diamond, inventor of the multiple ring set and widely regarded as one of the world's leading studio jewellers, Wendy Ramshaw (UK) is not to be missed. Ramshaw will share the podium with Swiss designer Christoph Zellweger, who is considered one of the most thought provoking and stimulating jewellery designers in Europe.

A ticket costs R395, on sale at Computicket.

ARCHITECTURE INDABA: 26 February 2008,10am to 1pm

Renowned Tokyo-based architect and Design Indaba luminary Mark Dytham returns this year with tales of launching Pecha Kucha and how he's bringing a British sensibility to Japanese architecture. He will be joined by Britain's Jason Bruges, who has redefined architecture to encompass large-scale interactive designs. Further speakers to be announced.

A ticket costs R750, on sale at Computicket.

LIFESTYLE INDABA: 26 February 2008, 2pm to 5pm

Design is about telling the ongoing story of a place, rather than imposing a style, according to leading creative director Ilse Crawford (UK). Don't miss the opportunity to hear Crawford alongside world-renowned trend forecaster Li Edelkoort (NL) and Laetitia Wolff (US), editor of New York lifestyle magazine Surface.

A ticket costs R450, on sale at Computicket.