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.

DESIGN INDABA 2008
Design Indaba will fortify as the South African Design Week in 2008, with the expo and conference programme running over a week from Saturday 23 February to Friday 29 February 2008.

DESIGN INDABA EXPO
For the fifth time, the Design Indaba Expo will offer a curated commercial platform for South African designers to showcase local goods and services to the global market. Based on the success of the 2007 event, which played host to more than 20 000 visitors, the 2008 event has been extended for an extra day, running from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 February, 2008. The Expo will also be even bigger than before with more floor space, a host of new exhibitors and a brand-new dedicated fashion arena with day-long shows and movie festivals.

DESIGN INDABA CONFERENCE
The Design Indaba Conference will run from Wednesday 27 February to Friday 29 February, 2008. Judged the best conference in the world by EIBTM in Barcelona, the conference has played host to luminaries from all over the world since 1995 and been sold out for the past three years.

SPECIALIST INDABAS
Due to demand from delegates and the public to attend the Specialist Indabas, these will run parallel to the Expo on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 February 2008. These two-hour architecture, fashion and jewellery events feature local and international designers debating the contribution of these creative sectors to the South African economy. Bookings for Specialist Indabas open at Computicket on 14 January 2008.

YOUNG DESIGNERS SIMULCAST
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 more detailed information about the above activities taking place, and for related high-resolution images, please contact:

Deborah Weber
E-mail: deborah@interactiveafrica.com

Nadine Botha
E-mail: nadine@interactiveafrica.com

Tel: (021) 465 9966