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Illustration by Ellsphee
Watch

Sphelele Gumede creates menacing characters using vivid colours

Q&A > African Design
In his series 52.177 the illustrator explores his personal inspirations.
11 Sep 19
nardstar kion queen
Watch

Street artist Nardstar is painting women of colour in public spaces

Design News > African Design
Nardstar's murals can be found in New York, Paris and her hometown, Cape Town
2 Aug 19
Image: Kobie Niewoudt
Watch

Illustrating vernacular South African terms

Design Frontiers > Graphic Design & Illustration
Kobie Niewoudt explores “Tsotsitaal” (the slang language among Cape Town's youth) with her illustrations and quirky gifs.
1 Aug 19
youngtsa 3t things take time
Watch

Youngsta: Rapping the stories of the Cape Colony

Design News > African Design
We sat down with one of South African rap's busiest and most artists.
3 Apr 19
Abstract Peaces by Tsoku Maela
Watch

Abstract Peaces: Redefining mental illness

Design News > African Design
Conceptual photographer Tsoku Maela challenges the stigma around mental illness by drawing on his personal experience.
26 Mar 19

South African design stories

Discover what’s happening on South Africa's exciting and innovative creative landscape

  • nardstar kion queen Watch
    Street artist Nardstar is painting women of colour in public spaces
    Creative Work > Design Activism
    Nardstar's murals can be found in New York, Paris and her hometown, Cape Town
    2 Aug 19
  • Image: Kobie Niewoudt Watch
    Illustrating vernacular South African terms
    Creative Work > Graphic Design & Illustration
    Kobie Niewoudt explores “Tsotsitaal” (the slang language among Cape Town's youth) with her illustrations and quirky gifs.
    1 Aug 19
  • Paul Shiakallis - Marok Watch
    Meet Botswana's Queens of Marok
    Creative Work > Art & Photography
    South African photographer Paul Shiakallis documents the leather-wearing women of Botswana’s heavy metal scene.
    2 May 19
  • youngtsa 3t things take time Watch
    Youngsta: Rapping the stories of the Cape Colony
    Creative Work > Music & Sound Design
    We sat down with one of South African rap's busiest and most artists.
    3 Apr 19
  • Abstract Peaces by Tsoku Maela Watch
    Abstract Peaces: Redefining mental illness
    Creative Work > Art & Photography
    Conceptual photographer Tsoku Maela challenges the stigma around mental illness by drawing on his personal experience.
    26 Mar 19
  • Watch
    A vote for ‘beauty’: What does it mean to you?
    Creative Work > Creative Economy
    As Design Indaba 2019 kicks off, voting for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa is still open! Make your choice now.
    27 Feb 19 / Design Indaba Festival 2019
  • Watch
    In remembrance of Hugh Masekela
    Interviews > Music & Sound Design
    A year after his death, you take the wheel in an interview with the legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela.
    23 Jan 19 / Brand Collaboration
  • Design Indaba Emerging Creatives 2019 Watch
    The 2019 Design Indaba Emerging Creatives are here
    Creative Work > Design Activism
    Each year we select 50 up and coming South African creatives and each year they surprise and beguile us.
    29 Nov 18 / Design Indaba Festival 2019
  • Watch
    Gourmet Grubb on making ice cream from insect milk
    Creative Work > Food Design
    Food designer Leah Bessa was part of this year's Design Indaba Emerging Creatives programme.
    3 Aug 18
  • Drop Drop, a UCT mobile app, helps residents use water responsibly. Watch
    Drop Drop app helps water conservation in drought-stricken South Africa
    Creative Work > Information Design
    A new app makes every drop of water count as South Africa’s water crisis continues.
    3 Aug 18
  • William  Kentridge,  The  Head  &  the  Load  2018.  Photo  ©  Stella  Olivier  The  Head  &  the  Load  by  William  Kentridge  is  at  Tate  Modern  from  11  -  15  July  as  part  of  14-18  NOW:  WW1  Centenary  Commissions.  Watch
    The untold history behind William Kentridge’s most ambitious project to date
    Creative Work > Music & Sound Design
    “The colonial logic toward the black participants could be summed up by: ‘Lest their actions merit recognition, their deeds must not be recorded’.”
    12 Jul 18
  • ChemStart: Bridging the gender gap in science education Watch
    ChemStart: Bridging the gender gap in science education
    Creative Work > Information Design
    South African scientist Bathabile Mpofu created a mini science kit in the hopes that it will inspire students in rural areas.
    28 Jun 18
  • Image Courtesy of Sethembile Msezane Watch
    Sethembile Msezane on why she uses her art as resistance
    Creative Work > Art & Photography
    South Africa’s history is wrought with erasure. Sethembile Msezane is reclaiming the narrative with her work.
    22 Jun 18
  • Duma Mtimkulu 00:02:40
    This young South African artist uses the everyday dinner plate as a canvas
    Interviews > Craft
    Duma Mtimkulu was one of 40 young exhibitors at Design Indaba 2018. Entries for 2019 are now open.
    4 Jun 18
  • Balini Naidoo Watch
    Durban fashion designer Balini Naidoo on creating a range of clothes for the visually impaired
    Creative Work > Fashion & Jewellery Design
    The Emerging Creative 2018 wants to help visually-impaired people to become more self-reliant and independent when making clothing choices.
    24 May 18 / Design Indaba Festival 2018
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South African Designers

Browse more South African creatives on our Designer Directory

Pro-account
Ntombegugu Peteni
Fashion Designer
Luke Rudman Pro-account
Luke Rudman
Performance Artist
Arron Nathan Moos Pro-account
Arron Nathan Moos
Photographer
Lumka Jordan Pro-account
Lumka Jordan
Architect / Interior Designer
Fernando Pro-account
Fernado
Interaction Designer
Tshepiso Lekganyane Pro-account
Tshepiso Lekganyane
Jewellery Designer
Akshar Maganbeharie Pro-account
Akshar Maganbeharie
Artist
Mikhailia Petersen Pro-account
Mikhailia Petersen
Filmmaker / Photographer
Naomi Zwane Pro-account
Naomi Zwane
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Nandipha Yanta Pro-account
Nandipha Yanta
Artist
Pro-account
Nkululeko Mthembu
Social Entrepreneur
Noxolo Thando Masuku Pro-account
Noxolo Thando Masuku
Architecture
Sizani Baloyi Pro-account
Sizani Baloyi
Illustrator
Mishaal Gangaram Pro-account
Mishaal Gangaram
Photographer
Katlego Magano Pro-account
Katlego Magano
Fashion Designer
Mohau Moholane Pro-account
Mohau Moholane
Graphic Designer
Leila Walter Pro-account
Leila Walter
Textile Designer
Buhle Nkalashe Pro-account
Buhle Nkalashe
Graphic Designer
Charity Vilakazi Pro-account
Charity Vilakazi
Mona-Lisa Mthethwa Pro-account
Mona-Lisa Mthethwa
Architecture
Thando Ntuli Pro-account
Thando Ntuli
Fashion Designer
Kyle Kemink Pro-account
Kyle Kemink
Graphic Designer / Photographer
Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu Pro-account
Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu
Fashion Designer
Nuraan Khan Pro-account
Nuraan Khan
Architecture / Digital Artist
Lundi Mlonyeni Pro-account
Lundi Mlonyeni
Musician
Drew Haller Pro-account
Drew Haller
Creative Director
Thulani Kubeka Pro-account
Thulani Kubeka
Interaction Designer
Siyabonga Mtshali Pro-account
Siyabonga Mtshali
Entrepreneur
Samkelo Boyde Xaba Pro-account
Samkelo Boyde Xaba
Fashion Designer
Moeko Selebalo Pro-account
Moeko Selebalo
Designer
Mbangiso Mabaso Pro-account
Mbangiso Mabaso
Designer
Sibusiso Zeus Feni Pro-account
Sibusiso Zeus Feni
Filmmaker / Photographer
Njabulo Maseko Pro-account
Njabulo Maseko
Poet
Lindiwe Gugushe Pro-account
Lindiwe Gugushe
Furniture Designer
Lauren Gericke Pro-account
Lauren Gericke
Illustrator
Riyaadh Ismail Pro-account
Riyaadh Ismail
Fashion Designer
Thebe Magugu Pro-account
Thebe Magugu
Pro-account
Thandazani Nofingxana
Speaker
Tshepo Mokholo
Architect
Zingisa Ntwana Standard
Zingisa Ntwana
Photographer
Andile Speaker
Andile Vellem
Performance Artist
Speaker 2011
Laduma Ngxokolo
Fashion Designer / Textile Designer
Faith XLVII Speaker 2010
Faith XLVII
Artist
Ashley Lloyd Pro-account
Ashlee Lloyd
Industrial Designer
Lebo Mashile Speaker 2018
Lebo Mashile
Performance Artist
Speaker
Pascale Theron
Designer
Speaker
Nicole Nomsa Moyo
Designer
Mondli Kunene Standard
Mondli Kunene
Artist

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