Part of the Project
One of the highlights for visitors to Design Indaba Expo every year is to see the stands – not only the products and designs that the exhibitors have so lovingly worked on to showcase, but the way they have laboured over their presentation too. Judged for its innovation, interactivity and overall sexiness, the Most Creative Stand Award demonstrates the pleasure of taking a creative stand.
The 2012 winner of the Most Creative Stand is Emerging Creative Mike van Heerden, for his 3D graphic design that melds his products and stand design seamlessly, showing craftmanship and attention to detail. Van Heerden receives six square metres of exhibition space at Design Indaba Expo 2013.
Van Heerden spoke to us about his concept:
The motivation behind my stand was based on the concept of nostalgia. I had begun to notice that trends were returning to the things of old, specifically the use of wood. I had always wanted to try my hand at carpentry and so decided to give it a go. Combining my love for wood and the influence of my graphic design background, my work evolved into 3D graphic design. I am currently freelancing with the intention of making this type of design a career that would filter into the areas of interior and furniture design.
This year the Most Creative Stand award was judged by Design Indaba curators Roelf Mulder and Verna Jooste.
Roelf is a director of product design firm …xyz and Verna lectures in the jewellery design department at University of Stellenbosch. They’ve both been involved with Design Indaba for many years and are passionate about the standard of design on show at the Expo.
To see more of Mike van Heerden's work, go to www.behance.net/mikevanheerden.
