100% Design South Africa proudly announces the 2016 winners of its annual awards

South Africa’s only local and international design show, 100% Design South Africa, announced its 2016 Design Award Winners at a Gala Awards Evening on the night of Friday 5 August 2016. The awards ceremony was held at the show venue at Hall 1, Gallagher Convention Centre, Joburg, and was attended by over 500 celebrities, industry personalities and exhibitors. Guests were entertained by up-and-coming band African Rhythm.

The 100% Design South Africa Design Awards are nomination-only accolades and are presided over by a prestigious, independent panel of high-profile judges. The 2016 Design Awards judging panel included publishing editors, tastemakers and influencers as well as leading local designers.

The 14-strong judging panel included Michelle Snaddon of Real Estate magazine; Tiaan Nagel of House and Leisure, Leigh Robertson of Condé Nast House & Garden; Sumien Brink and Annemarie Meintjies of Visi; Bielle Ross of Elle Decoration; Leana Schoeman of the Sunday Times; Zanele Kumalo of Grazia; Tracy Lynch; Aaron Kohn of MOAD; Richard Sparks, industrial designer; Julian McGowan of the Guild Group; Monna Mokoena of Gallery MOMA; and Graham Wood of Leading Architecture and Design.

The judging process took place during the day on Friday 5 August and was facilitated and independently audited by design champion, Lianne Burton. The awards were judged in several categories:

Best Furniture Design – The judges were looking for a stylish piece of functional furniture from the residential, office or hospitality sector, whether local or international. This needed to be a new design from the last two years.

Best Lighting Design – The judges were on the hunt for an electrical lighting solution, whether local or international, which showed style and innovation. Energy-saving considerations, although not a pre-requisite, were a bonus.

Best Surface Design – Here, the criteria were style and/or innovation in wallpapers, wall treatments, wall coverings, fitted carpets, rugs, floor coverings, tiles, or 3D printed surfaces.

Best Textile Design, awarded in memory of Julian Gelb – an award that recognizes excellence in fabric design.

Best Product Design – an original design that shows intelligence and consideration in terms of material use.

Best Stand Design – This award seeks to recognise a stand design that is eye-catching and promotes visitor interaction and engagement. The stand should add to the overall aesthetic and experience of 100% Design South Africa.

Best of 100% Talent – An award to recognize an emerging design talent.

The 2016 award-winners were announced by 100% Design South Africa Programme Director, Cathy O’Clery:

Best Furniture Design – Tonic

Best Lighting Design – Hoi P’loy

Best Surface Design – Monn

Best Textile Design, awarded in memory of Julian Gelb – Evolution

Best Product Design – Tutu 2.0 Lamp, featured on 100 Beautiful Things

Best Stand Design – Dokter and Misses

Best of 100% Talent – Thabisa Mjo of Mash T Design Studio

According to O’Clery: “The 100% Design Awards were conceived as a way to recognise and celebrate the best of the best in show. It also serves as a way to encourage exhibitors to bring their A-game, which helps to elevate the show year after year!”

In addition to the above categories, 100% Design South Africa announced a South African Designer of the Year – an annual award that seeks to recognise a designer who displays excellence in their field with regards to concept, quality and design. The 2016 Designer of the Year Award was announced by South African design star, Andile Dyalvane of Imiso Ceramics. Dyalvane has recently returned from his highly acclaimed, first international solo exhibition “Camagu” at New York’s prestigious Friedman Benda Gallery.

Says Dyalvane: “It is crucial to have awards that recognize people who are doing great things in the industry. It is important to encourage innovation and reward those who are striving for it as well as inspire others to do so.”

Designers Katy Taplin and Adriaan Hugo from Dokter and Misses were named South African Designers of the Year 2016.

All of the winners received a bespoke 100% Design South Africa trophy designed by leading local design duo Dokter and Misses, who also happen to be the Featured Designers of 100% Design South Africa 2016, as chosen by the shows curators, Platform Creative Agency.

Over and above the awards given out, the judges also insisted on two special mentions. The first went to Anthony Shapiro of Art in the Forest, for putting his energy into creating an opportunity for other ceramicists to become designers of excellence. The second special mention was for Picture Africa, the exhibition mounted by Cathy O’Clery and the Platform Creative Agency team. The judges singled out the exhibition, which features designers and images makers from across the continent, for putting new African textiles on the map here in South Africa and also commented that the exhibition deserved to travel to global design platforms. The display was lauded for being accessible, optimistic and energizing.

The Gala Awards evening took place on the opening night of the show, which runs until 9 August 2016 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Held in conjunction with Decorex Johannesburg, the show promises to titillate the senses with the very best of local design showcased alongside top international brands.  One ticket gains access to both shows.