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Conference Talks

Watch the full talks from Design Indaba's world-renowned 24-year Conference in this archive of videos going back to 2006.

From our archives: Michael Bierut on how to think like a designer
Conference Talks • Design Indaba Conference 2015 • Duration 00:39:15
Michael Bierut runs us through some of his major projects and the thought processes behind them: a rare opportunity to get into his award-winning mind.
  • Gert Dumbar 00:46:20
    Gert Dumbar on the designer as author
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    Gert Dumbar talks about the designer in the role of author.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Oona Scheepers 00:30:30
    Oona Scheepers teaches us how to see
    Architecture & Interiors
    Learning to see is one of the most important things designers need to learn, says Oona Scheepers.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Ilse Crawford 00:44:37
    Ilse Crawford on human emotion
    Interaction Design
    Ilse Crawford talks about being human and how to tie in our basic emotions with design.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Marije Vogelzang at Design Indaba Conference 00:33:36
    Marije Vogelzang on the experience of eating
    Food Design
    Eating designer Marije Vogelzang explores what happens when people share food.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Ivan Chermayeff 00:52:07
    Logo genius Ivan Chermayeff's secret joys
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    The graphic designer behind the some of the world's greatest logos on what defines the discipline.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Oscar E Pena 2008 00:29:21
    Oscar E Pena's guide to branding
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    Oscar E Pena shares the how-tos of constructing a brand that exists in tangible design as well in the mind of the consumer.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008
  • Roger Martin at Design Indaba Conference 2007 00:34:00
    Roger Martin on leveraging design in business
    Creative Economy / Information Design
    At Design Indaba Conference 2007, Roger Martin discusses the difference between a design view of business and a business view of design.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Heath Nash on sustainability within design 00:08:00
    Heath Nash on sustainability within design
    Design Thinking / Product Design
    Plastic waste + hands + geometry = beautiful objects + employment, a system that Heath Nash has refined using other people's rubbish.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Reggie Watts 00:31:45
    Reggie Watts on performance, space, sound and culture
    Music & Sound Design
    Performance and space can go a long way towards expressing thoughts and ideas, said Reggie Watts at the Design Indaba Conference 2007.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Front at Design Indaba 2007 00:30:22
    Front on experiencing objects
    Interaction Design / Product Design
    Computers, explosions, robotics and animals are interesting elements that form part of Front’s design process.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Ruudt Peters at Design Indaba 2007 00:40:17
    Ruudt Peters on enchantment in jewellery design
    Fashion & Jewellery Design
    Enchantment, magic and communication are aspects of jewellery design that should not be neglected, says Ruudt Peters.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Massimo and Lella Vignelli 00:54:54
    Massimo and Lella Vignelli keep design simple, elegant and timeless
    Product Design
    Design legends Massimo and Lella Vignelli talk about some of their famous designs of the past 50 years.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Tobias Frere-Jones 00:39:44
    Tobias Frere-Jones transforms typefaces
    Creative Economy / Graphic Design & Illustration
    Typography needs to be investigated and played with, which certainly works for Tobias Frere-Jones.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Jo Noero 00:50:47
    Jo Noero on socially purposeful South African architecture
    Architecture & Interiors
    Architecture in post-apartheid South Africa has a very important role to play, Jo Noero shares his thoughts on this.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Wally Olins 00:34:55
    Wally Olins on the branding of nations
    Creative Economy
    Getting the branding identity of a country right has led to many positive results, Wally Olins explains.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • 00:43:13
    Jasper Morrison on designing from personal experience
    Industrial Design / Product Design
    Designers are often responsible for making atmospheres, but they must steer away from visual pollution says Jasper Morrison.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Hella Jongerius 00:32:46
    Hella Jongerius handles design with care
    Craft / Product Design
    Hella Jongerius has discovered one doesn’t always need to be too precious about handmade products.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Paul Davis on drawing, editing, drinking and music 00:20:47
    Paul Davis on drawing, editing, drinking and music
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    Paul Davis talks about the things he likes, namely drawing, editing, drinking and music.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Brian Eno on the purpose of art 00:28:00
    Brian Eno on the purpose of art
    Art & Photography / Music & Sound Design
    Celebrated artist and producer Brian Eno shares some of his theories on a range of topics, including evolution and art, at Design Indaba Conference 2007.
    Design Indaba Conference 2007
  • Albie Sachs at Design Indaba Conference 2006 00:22:49
    Albie Sachs on designing the Constitutional Court of South Africa
    Architecture & Interiors / Design Activism / Urban & Landscape Design
    Albie Sachs talks about the design of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, a building that is “a place for everybody”.
    Design Indaba Conference 2006
  • Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck on the different stages of product design 00:27:59
    Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck on the different stages of product design
    Product Design
    Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck believe that products have a particular purpose and it is the designer’s responsibility to make it adaptable to varying environments.
    Design Indaba Conference 2006
  • Inga Sempé on articulated product design 00:29:08
    Inga Sempé on articulated product design
    Product Design
    Inga Sempé discusses various designs from tables and chairs to stickers and souvenirs, all emphasising what she deems articulate product design.
    Design Indaba Conference 2006
  •  Chris de Beer on designing jewellery with a cultural inspiration 00:17:20
    Chris de Beer on designing jewellery with a cultural inspiration
    Fashion & Jewellery Design
    Chris de Beer designs jewellery that reflects the traditional colours and patterns of Zulu culture.
    Design Indaba Conference 2006
  • Valerie Steele on cultural influences in fashion design 00:34:07
    Valerie Steele on cultural influences in fashion design
    Fashion & Jewellery Design
    From the Ottoman Empire to modern-day fashion houses, Valerie Steele discusses the history of fashion.
    Design Indaba Conference 2006
  • Gert Dumbar 00:46:20
    Gert Dumbar on the designer as author
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    Gert Dumbar talks about the designer in the role of author.
    Design Indaba Conference 2008

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