World class collaborations for sustainable design

The state of our affairs

It is through many thoughtless actions that the human race truly managed to brew up a storm that has little to offer to a sustainable future. The choices made have led to a global crisis. They have affected and resulted in a lack of food and energy security, shocking environmental conditions, the never-ending crisis of poverty and major health problems. In turn, this impacts on the economy, which is already showing signs of global instability, threatening social security and value systems. This devastation is staring us in the face everyday. It has not taken us that long to reach the tip of the iceberg. Or rather, for a few of us to reach the summit, leaving about 90% of our planet’s population suffering in the dust of our greedy race.

The solution to clear our mess is much closer to home than we think. The closest starting point from which to make a global difference is at home.

Technology has brought global citizens even closer together and exploded the opportunities for growth and development.  The solutions to the problems on our doorstep may also be helpful to others in the world. The Internet and the sense of global citizenship, make it possible to involve many actors from around the world in addressing localized challenges while adapting good ideas to different societies’ with similar needs.

In our home South Africa, we observe a wealth of indigenous knowledge, skill and social systems that are inherently harmonious and resourceful in their approach to innovation.  The country’s rate of development and growth and its vibrant culture are praised world-over. However, South Africa still faces tough social, environmental and economic challenges. The official statistic is that 25.5% of South Africans are unemployed and yet amongst youth (classified as those aged between18 and 35 years) the rate of unemployment is significantly higher. Depending on the source, this figure ranges between 45 and 57 %. It is this sector of South African society that is supposed to be the support beams of the future workforce but with such appalling employment rates they also face the greatest environmental and social repercussions. 

If we, as good citizens, have the power and the will to make any difference to the lives of the world’s  “bottom billion” it should start at home. Let’s not forget that a country in crisis always suggests great opportunities. There’s a groundswell of individuals, communities and organizations leading the revolution for healthy people, planet and profits. In this movement, the youth of the country truly are proving to be our greatest resource. It’s fitting considering that the future truly does belong to the young and generations to follow.

The Eco Design Initiative is one such organization that is pioneering the sustainable movement for South Africa. This movement engages youth in a sustainable design program that includes an annual competition, the development of educational content, workshops, exhibitions and international exchanges.  The Eco Design Initiative is the only South African organization with a clear vision and focus on sustainable design. In an attempt to bridge the gap between the awareness, education and the knowledge of the local design industry of sustainability, the Eco Design Initiative, established in 2009, became the vehicle and connected South African and Swedish organizations and interest groups in a knowledge and culture exchange programme.

There’s currently an undeniable global trend towards sustainable design practices that pays special attention to environmental and social impacts as a result of a product, system or service’s lifecycle. For South Africa to confidently participate and ensure an international market place, our production and consumption systems must become more responsible. The Eco Design Initiative positions South African youth at the forefront of this design revolution through a comprehensive programme that aims to educate, exhibit and exchange for the uptake of sustainable consumption and production habits.

Considering the vital role designers (of all practises, whether in graphic design, engineering, industrial or textiles) play in creating new consumer trends and the designers’ relationships and vital role during the production and manufacturing processes, singles out the creative sector as having the greatest potential to implement a far-reaching agenda for sustainable development. The world of a designer influences and adds value to a long value chain that includes but is not limited to the creation of jobs, resource management, fair trade, production processes, energy efficiency, consumer culture, waste streams…and many more.

Relevant solutions “at home” and beyond

South African designers presented a diverse range of concepts to the Eco Design Initiative’s call for sustainable design solutions. The annual competition, this year themed “Home is where the heart is” had a refreshing response as entries suggested relevant solutions “at home” and beyond. The concepts from twenty-two finalists suggest many ways in which the creative community can address the current imbalances in the “triple bottom line”. This year’s finalists include design practises like architecture, industrial and surface design, communication, technology and system design. 

 Members of the jury also represented a diverse interest in the South African design industry concerning sustainable practises. Notable for individual and associated achievements in sustainable development and the design landscape in South Africa, the panel included Adrienne Viljoen from SABS Design Institute, Masana Chikeka from SA Department of Arts & Culture, Erica Elk, Executive Director of the Cape Craft & Design Institute, Roelf Mulder, founder and director of …XYZ Design, Will Lawson from Biomimicry SA, Pascal Frölicher, co-founder of Impact Amplifier and Rael Futerman from Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Their commentary was unanimous in recognising the high quality of the design concepts submitted to this year’s competition. It’s clear that most of the designers have taken the subject of sustainability to heart and made a good effort to present considered proposals. The finalists show real commitment to addressing all aspects of sustainability and their suggestions seem practical, innovative and beneficial to the triple bottom line.

The young designers responsible for these sustainable design concepts are now challenged to produce working prototypes and case studies for their initial concepts, showing off their innovations’ workings and how these may pave the way towards social, environmental and economic wellbeing. During July of this year the Eco Design Initiative visited 42 universities around South Africa as part of the Sustainable Design Road Show, which is most probably the reason why most of the finalists are design students and not young professionals. During the road show students were presented with information and inspiration for sustainability and due to public demand the same road show will commence in July 2012 but this time it will also be open for public participation at selected venues.

World-class collaborations

These proudly South African prototypes, developed by the 22 finalists, will take centre stage at the “no kak” Sustainable Design Showcase, themed “Home is where the heart is”. This event will be launched at the Cape Town City Hall on 6 – 16 March 2012 and will include pioneering examples of design for development from the South African and international design industry. This international collaboration for sustainable design is led by the partnership between the Eco Design Initiative, a South African non-profit organization and SVID, the Swedish Industrial Design Foundation.

Alongside the exhibition, the Eco Design Initiative will host the Fresh Talent Exchange, a meeting of Swedish and South African designers for sustainability. The South African competition finalists will enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with local and international design peers in a social design intervention, in which the group of designers are challenged to respond to the needs of young leaners at Sakumlandela Primary School in Khayelitsha. In association with the Earth Child Project, the Eco Design Initiative designed an “Investigative Toolkit” for the young learners to document their environmental and social conditions at school and at home. This information will be presented to the Fresh Talent Exchange participants along with a supply of “waste” and environmentally friendly materials. The practical skills exchange between local and international design talent will be complimented by presentations done by specially invited sustainability and design thought leaders.  In this sharing of knowledge between designers from all over the world, the essential culture, values and attitudes for sustainability are acquired. The Eco Design Initiative aims to shift the perception of “design” and it’s meaning in our world.

Through supporting the development of sustainable design in South Africa and expanding its participation in the international design community, the Eco Design Initiative aims to show that open-minded design collaborations will create opportunities for sustainable employment, responsible resource management, fair opportunities and a new culture of sustainability. Design’s aesthetic qualities will always be appreciated but it’s design’s potential to make a real difference in the world, that’s most exciting!