James de Villiers | Design Indaba

5 African Internet start-ups redefining agriculture

It's Sustainable Gastronomy Day, a day that reaffirms that all cultures and civilisations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development. >
Photographer’s new book shows the awkward humanity of fame

Known for his quirky photography style, Uneasy is a book of Chris Buck’s portraits of the famous from 1986 to 2016. >
New controller allows upper-limb amputees to play video games using their feet

GEAR’s creators say it allows amputees to control video game characters with the same precision as able-bodied users. >
Nimb discreetly sends alerts in emergency situations

If you’re in distress, the Nimb ring sends your location to family and friends. >
Dune covered carpark doubles as flood defence

Named the Best Dutch Building of the Year in 2016, the Katwijk underground parking garage protects against future floods. >
Cow's milk plastic provides a natural, eco-friendly alternative

Using an extract from skimmed milk, Tessa Silva-Dawson created a durable alternative to harmful plastics. >
Belgian artist creates art out of chickens

The Cosmopolitan Chicken project by Koen Vanmechelen uses the living materials collected during chicken cross-breeding to create art. >
Home-grown sanitary pads help treat infections

Growing healthy bacteria in agar jelly, the pads are placed in front of the vagina to balance pH-levels. >
Amahlé’s Ndebele inspired jewellery for a European market

The Africa-inspired jewellery is designed to be sophisticated, yet durable enough for everyday use. >
Plastic-bag sculptures critique the treatment of the homeless

Made in the silhouette of a person crouched on the street, the installation captures London’s response to homeless people. >
Public art melts away in political protest

Created by American design duo LigoranoReese, these ice sculptures show the disintegration of the American Dream. >
American inventor uses 200-year-old technology to create a cutting-edge engine

By coupling one of NASA’s Stirling engines with electric hybrid technology, Josh MacDowell manages to drive a 100 kilometres on less than three litres of petrol >
Alby Apparel promises liquid-repellent breathable clothes

Using patented Fillium technology, wearing these Alby Apparel clothes promises to dramatically reduce your washing load. >
Wovns promises original woven textiles on demand

Imagine being able to turn individual digital designs into custom Jacquard-woven fabric, available in quantities as small as a single metre. >
SA designer develops a lifesaving drone

Mikhail Aymés is no stranger to industrial design. His latest project uses tech to save people from drowning. >
Ribbon-like bridge by Christo and Jean-Claude lets public walk on water

Christo and Jean-Claude dreamt of a floating bridge over 40 years ago. Now, their dream is a reality. >
6 innovative ways to use algae

As we move toward sustainable living and renewable energy, innovators are tapping into algae’s hidden potential. >
The Hive pavilion replicates the ways bees communicate

Built using over 17 000 pieces of aluminium, the Hive is fitted with LED lights and sound to replicate the buzzing, tooting and quacking communication cues used >
Mobile app MedRx makes healthcare accessible in Ghana

As an interactive platform, MedRx solves its user’s healthcare needs by making information more accessible. >
4 Innovative ways to locally grow food

These designs hope to use less water, produce more food and bring ecology back into urban centres. >
The Tycycler provides waste-pickers with an alternative to tyre burning

The Tycycler is on a mission to stop harmful tyre burning and assist waste workers in recycling tyre-wire. >
Designer Ying Gao creates dresses that respond to emotion

The dresses imitate “microbial life” and react to the emotions of viewers. >
We talk to South African ceramicist Andile Dyalvane

Andile Dyalvane’s first solo exhibition is set to open in New York’s Friedman Benda gallery this month. >
5 companies working toward a sustainable future

Following the signing of the Paris agreement this year, sustainability is on top of everyone’s minds and it seems like global brands are leading the way. >

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