Are you the next big thing in design?

If your answer to the above question is yes, then Enter Samsung’s Inspire Design talent search competition before 30 April 2014.

Samsung Electronics South Africa is calling on all aspiring designers to enter its Inspire Design talent search competition, before 30 April 2014. This initiative is aimed at unearthing SA’s top talent and will be rewarding them with extensive media exposure and perhaps that big break!

What is Inspire Design?

Samsung believes that technology can only have meaning when it is placed it in the hands of a person and, through this initiative aim to accelerate the discovery of new talent. Samsung has partnered with some of the country’s most celebrated influencers across four categories including jewellery, fashion, furniture as well as homeware and décor as part of the programme. What makes this competition different is that there will be eight winners – two from each category who will have the opportunity of a lifetime
elevate their profiles and showcase their work to the community.

How to enter:

It is so easy – designers should visit www.samsung.com/za/inspire_design/ and complete their contact details. Candidates will then receive an entry form and guidelines on how to submit their work. A short overview of the concept as well as sketches or photos of the item needs to be uploaded. The deadline for entries is 30 April 2014.

The judging process:

Four judges have been selected to search for and, ultimately, choose South Africa’s best emerging design talent. The judges include successful jewellery designer Kirsten Goss; premium homeware and décor artist, Susan Slee of Maneki; internationally celebrated fashion designer, Shaldon Kopman of Naked Ape; and CEO of premium furniture store Bakos Brothers, Ryan Bakos. Winners will be announced by end of May 2014.

Michelle Potgieter, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung Electronics SA, says, “Globally, Samsung is associated with similar programmes in various creative categories from music to film that are aimed at unleashing the potential of individuals. We are proud to be driving the Inspire Design initiative locally to find extraordinary people and showcase our next generation of upcoming artists.”

Samsung Electronics has partnered with DEKAT magazine to ensure that the eight deserving winners will have the opportunity to promote their work to a wider audience, which will provide extensive exposure for them to take their careers to the next level.

Elzilda Becker, publisher of DEKAT magazine is delighted to show its support for the Samsung Inspire Design competition. “DEKAT itself is synonymous with ground-breaking ideas and quality material, and we look forward to seeing what the young designers of our country will deliver across the four categories.”

Increasingly form, factor, innovation and technology are going hand-in-hand, and this competition is being used as a platform to create possibilities for all aspiring artists.

“This competition is for anyone with design talent who is ready to be noticed and has the desire to succeed. By offering this platform, Samsung is able to create opportunities for exposure which could just be the help that these undiscovered designers need to turn their dreams into a reality,” concludes Potgieter.

Meet the Inspire Design Judges:

Kirsten Goss – Jewellery design

A style icon in her own right, Kirsten cites her Scandinavian heritage and South African roots as important influences. It is her rare talent for tapping into contemporary lifestyle trends that has seen Kirsten Goss jewellery becoming one of this country’s most talked about designer brands. Kirsten’s flagship boutique is nestled in leafy Kensington, while design and production are headquartered in a state-of-the-art design studio in Durban. A truly global business, with African roots servicing an international clientèle.

Shaldon Kopman – Fashion design:

Shaldon Kopman is a well-recognised name in the fashion Industry. His career to date has spanned the globe. He is director and founder of the bespoke men’s brand Naked Ape. Shaldon’s comprehensive knowledge of the fashion industry as a whole is complementary to his creativity and uses this experience to conceptualise in a refreshing and artistic way. He has a special talent for interpreting trends and his passion for Africa is manifested in his designs.

Susan Slee – Homeware and Décor design:

Susan Slee is the owner of Maneki van Staal, a well-known jewellery designer and manufacturer. Her fascination with the simplicity of instant drawings led to the birth of Maneki van Staal, an instant success with an engaging story behind each product and character. In the last five years, Maneki have opened three outlets in South Africa. Currently the Maneki product range includes sugar spoons, teaspoon sets, salad and cutlery sets, ceramic tableware, leather handbags and jewellery.

Ryan Bakos – Furniture Industry Leader:

Ryan Bakos was born into the Bakos family business and took over the reins in 2008. The first step in this process was the recent opening of a 4500m2 factory in Wynberg, a brave move that has enabled Bakos Brothers to compete on a larger scale, as well as cut out the middlemen. The factory buys fabrics and leather in bulk, direct from the wholesalers, which has dramatically reduced costs, resulting in reduced prices on its sofas especially. Ryan has also introduced a new, cutting edge internal information system, which disseminates information and enables interaction between employees, creating a sense of family for the 100 staff located around the country.