Having recently released an article celebrating the unleashing of our first cohort of Ideation students, I have been inundated with queries regarding this qualification and career.

So, let me give you some insight into this very exciting career of the now and future and share some of our third-year students’ experiences from the classroom and work place:

Ideation is the role of an idea generator. This involves design research, understanding processes and systems, thinking about design and designing thinking. It requires empathy and understanding of people and their needs. It is the ability to identify problems or challenges and implement a solution to effect change or improvement. It is about analysis. It is to visually map and communicate findings and suitable solutions. ‟It is to produce solutions in various formats by collaborating with experts in other sectors to produce a final product, system or campaign” – Helen Bührs

‘Being one of the 1st Ideation students has not been entirely easy, as there’s so much that one could be a part of. Working at Standard Bank has been quite challenging as it is a very big company which deals with a long list of operations, however there is so much room for learning about all the different businesses out there. This experience so far has taught me that curiosity and the need to learn more is very important for the future of this industry.’ Teboho Ramakau

‘I experienced the working world at two very different companies – Standard Bank and the Research Institute of Innovation and Sustainability. I was given the opportunity to take part in many versatile projects, hackathons, workshops and interviews; and despite the differences, they all aimed to add value to people’s lives. It was so awesome to see how exciting, impactful and versatile innovation is in two completely different industries, and the interest and benefits around it. I was exposed to effective teams of people which helped me see the value of creativity and collaboration in business. The training also opened my eyes to what is expected of me in the working world, how different it is to be studying, and how I am able to be of value in the work place.

“Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.” Ideation has given me the skill to turn every problem or gap into an opportunity; which is vital for every businesses survival in today’s competitive industry. Experiential training has made me more excited to enter the industry, and be a pioneer for future ideators, innovators and creative problem solvers.’ Alana Kruger

‘As a creative person, I wish to see everything in a creative way and I love solving problems. In my experiential training, the culture of the business was a relaxed vibe. As an Ideation Student, it was a basis for me to learn how the design world works out there and what I will be doing on a day to day basis. I do wish that I get to change people’s lives with what I learned and make a difference in the world. I feel ready to take on this new chapter of my life and join the world of creativeness.’ Inge Joanie Esbach

‘Being introduced to the work force was both a daunting and an exciting thought. The work place called, Origin Interactive, proved to be the ideal platform to experiment, express opinions and think outside the box. This was easy to do since the Ideation course at Inscape prepared me for this. “Origin” is also a business that specialises in UXD (user experience design.

Everyone at the business is passionate about design whilst keeping all clients happy. Being able to work in a space filled with positivity and excitement makes the whole experience worthwhile. I surprised myself by being able to motivate, pose relevant questions and improve on suggestions. The best thing “Origin” taught me was that there are certain steps one has to take (they turned out to be things I have also learned through Ideation), before an end result could be reached. I ended up creating a Mobile App for them, thus challenging my technical abilities.

I can say, without a doubt, that Ideation and User Experience Design will become the next big thing. It has too many benefits not to. The experience has turned out to be a stepping stone toward the future and has allowed me to truly use the skills I have acquired.’ Alisha Els

‘I want to be a designer because I am a creative being by nature, I enjoy solving problems from something simple as completing a puzzle to finding out why there is such an enormous difference in the ratio of rich people to poor.

Simply put my passion lies in the arts, design (industrial, graphic, interior, fashion) and architecture. There is no limit to my appreciation for the design industry and by being human and empathetic enough in wanting to add value to the lives of all who I come across directly or indirectly just because I have existed. I am crazy enough to think that I can change the world and courageous enough to try. This is the main reason I am an ideation student.

I was fortunate enough to be hosted by two organisations; one a South African Bank, ahead in Innovation and the other a user experience and interactive design company that specialises in unforgettable digital experiences for all. A contributing factor to the team dynamic was strong communication.
Personal flexibility, allowed staff to work in accordance with their body clock and schedules. I will run my practice in a similar fashion in the future.

My vision is to establish a design hub, inspired by the Bauhaus, that mentors and motivates young women and showcases how design can be used to help communities advance, while sustaining themselves and the environment.’ Reshoketswe Motau

To find out more about a career in Ideation, visit one of our campuses or access us through our website https://www.inscape.ac.za/

Helen Bührs is the Managing Director and shareholder of the Inscape Education Group and founder of Four44 Creative ecosystems

Peter Harrison is a Product Designer and Lecturer, turned Online Courseware Developer for the Inscape Education Group. Peter presented his research based Masters study on agricultural compost processing, using a human-centered design approach at the Cumulus Virtuous Circle conference held in Milan 2015.

I would like to share my personal approach to contemporary design education, two fundamental aspects about design are discussed here. Firstly, I consider that ‘Responsible product design is a team sport’ and collaborating well with others is essential for meaningful socially oriented design outcomes. Design has matured in that designers are no longer seated in ‘ivory’ towers dispensing prescriptions to answer difficult problems.

Largely nowadays a far more people friendly participatory approach has been found to work, but his does require designers (including students) entering the frontline of whatever issues they are attempting to address. This translates to getting out of classrooms, observing the world and people in it, and actively seeking opportunities for meaningful design interventions.

‟Being able to experiment with structure, shape and form is an integral part of understanding any tangible design characteristics” -Peter Harrison

Secondly, I have  found that, art and design learners need ample opportunities for experimentation in the effective education of design. Design is an iterative process of trial and error (heuristic) and some of the best quality learning happens through making mistakes in a controlled and safe learning environment. For this to occur, learners need amongst other things, access to a manageable space, where they are able to make relevant noise, mess and dust. By using hand held tools, three-dimensional design learners (interior, product, fashion and architectural) are able to develop a feel for the characteristics of different materials. This is necessary in order to gain the knowledge of materials that then allows for explorative design conceptualisation leading to better envisioning and ultimately improved specification.

Being able to experiment with structure, shape and form is an integral part of understanding any tangible design characteristics. Whether this be the movement of a new dress fabric or the strength of an arch made with matchsticks. This can be achieved for example, through students practicing fabrication or pattern and mould making. Working with tools also allows for the critically important, tactile ‘hands-on’ element of learners’ awareness of both the material and manufacturing processes limitations and possibilities. In short, I teach learners that design thinking is more to do with design doing whilst thinking , than just so called ‘design thinking’. This design doing happens outside our classrooms on one hand, and by design students getting their hands dirty – regularly – on the other.

This contribution was inspired by the thoughts and writings of Otto Salomon, the famous Swedish educator and proponent of the Sloyd approach to education.

Choosing design as a career is a passion felt decision, often guided by talent and the need to be creative. This is often a need not well understood by parents of creatives, who may themselves not have been exposed to this industry or way of thinking. To top off the confusion, the introduction of ‘future’ careers, that typical 40-55-year olds (our parents) in 2017 have not encountered, make guiding this life changing decision of our children all the more daunting.

As a parent of a student, I thought it useful to share, the top three questions parents of our applicants ask:

1. Will my child get a job?
2. Is the institution internationally recognized?
3. Can my child transfer to another town?

The simple answer to all the above, is a resounding yes, yes and yes. Let me elaborate.

1. Will my child get a job?

According to tracer studies that are conducted annually by the institution as a requirement by the Council on Higher Education, 93% of graduates from Inscape can expect to be employed in the design industry within three months of graduating. A further 5% continue with postgraduate studies in related fields. The remaining 2% find employment after three months.

A study conducted of Inscape graduates over a ten-year period indicates that Inscape graduates consistently earn more than the averages indicated on websites such as payscale.com and indeed.com. According to these websites, the average annual income currently for a design graduate in South Africa is R101 632.94. Inscape graduates are earning an average of R126 000 per annum in Gauteng and an average of R141 000 per annum in Cape Town. Our highest earners receive R210 000 or more per annum and make up 7% of the graduates of 2016.

Graphic Design graduates typically earn more as a starting salary than any other design discipline. However, with just a few years’ experience, Interior Designers and Fashion Designers will generally surpass their Graphics counterparts significantly.

The average period of time spent per job is 23 months, as designers climb the ladder from junior positions to more senior design positions and management quickly.

2. Is the institution internationally recognized?

Inscape is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), it’s qualifications are accredited by The Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). As a result, the qualification is therefore internationally recognized. Should a graduate of Inscape wish to continue with further studies internationally, an alignment of the qualification with SAQA is possible through the regulatory body in that respective country.

The decision by Inscape to offer the Bachelor of Design (we are the only institution in South Africa to offer this qualification) instead of a typical Bachelor of Arts degree is to further align with international standards of some of the top design institutions globally. It is therefore imperative that when comparing our qualification with those of other institutions to research beyond the borders of South Africa to fully understand the core fundamentals of this qualification.

Inscape have established a global network of partnerships to promote the Inscape qualifications of our graduates as a quality product internationally. We have signed agreements with agencies from a number of international countries.

Our global network extends further to an established student exchange program with institutions including; Thomas More University in Mechelen, Belgium and MediaDesign Hochschülle in Berlin, Dusseldorf and Munich.

Inscape was recently awarded an award of appreciation for promotion of quality education and student mobility by The United Arab Emirates, Government of Fujairah – Human Resources.

3. Can my child transfer to another town?

Our campuses are modern, design sensitive spaces that are well located and easily accessible by public transport. Safety of our students is a priority and we invest in each campus to ensure, as best we can to provide the security required in our urban environments. Our curriculum is quality assured across all sites of delivery to ensure graduates of Inscape excel in industry. The standardization of curriculum across the sites enables students to easily transfer between campuses with little to no learning lost. Transferring from one campus to another, however, should not be taken lightly. We do find that the support system of family and friends is of great benefit to the success of our students. The most successful transfers are those when an entire family relocates (usually work related) and the student transfers as a result.

The opportunities presented to Inscape students as a result of ease of movement, student exchange programs, global networks and industry relevant content are definitely great opportunities that are unique to the institution.

These are just some of the ways we benefit the holistic learning of each individual at Inscape to assist them in reaching their full potential in society.

To see for yourself, experience the wow factor that makes our tribe unique and find out more about the details of life at Inscape, please join us at our Open Days on the 18^th and 19^th August 2017 at any one of our campuses in Cape Town, Durban, Midrand or Pretoria.

Helen Bührs is the Managing Director of Inscape Education Group, the founding member of Inscape Exchange, a non-profit organisation responsible for funding scholarships to academically deserving but financially challenged individuals, and a wife and mother to four children ages 19, 16, 7 and 5.

She deals very well with ambiguity and open-ended solutions, implements and enforces structure on chaos, manages change by having a logical solution and planning for the unexpected, strives to do the right thing as objectively as possible, is extremely passionate and has a positive outlook and hope for the future.

Tshwane University of Technology and Inscape Education Group will be hosting the 14th National Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA) conference in September 2017. The conference runs from 27 to 29 September at Freedom Park, in the City of Tshwane.

Given the challenges that higher education faces in South Africa and around the world, the theme of the conference is the Decolonising of Design Education. Many forms of design and design education will be addressed, such as Communication, Graphic, Fashion, Architecture, Engineering, User Experience, Audio-Visual, Interior, Environmental and Experience to name a few. The 2017 conference theme looks not only at how design curricula might change, but why this change to address decolonization should take place.  In addition to 50 plus local and international design academics who will present their research and insights, the keynote speaker Ghanaian-born Professor George Sefa Dei adds his perspective as one Canada’s foremost scholars on race and anti-racism studies.

As past DEFSA President Amanda Breytenbach points out in a 2009 paper, DEFSA aims to foster design education by providing a platform for researchers to network, share their findings and to publish. Since its inception in 1991 DEFSA has held National and International conferences every year, or every second year. This year sees a hosting collaboration between a Public institution; TUT and a Private institution; Inscape, with conference coordinators from both institutions, Herman Botes (Acting Head of Department TUT) and Sue Giloi (Provost at Inscape). The venue of Freedom Park which was established to acknowledge those who gave their lives in the name of freedom and to celebrate South Africa’s diversity, is a fitting site to hold a conference that addresses a weighty topic such as decolonization.  In addition to the conference, DEFSA has over the years arranged various workshops tied to the conference. Workshops in the past aimed to develop research skills, such as academic publishing, and to debate curriculum design within specific design disciplines. This year’s workshop, to be held on Friday 29^th September as part of the conference is coordinated by Prof Alan Munro and will debate and define creative outputs as the equivalent of research outputs.

The 2017 DEFSA conference promises to deliver innovative research and thinking around the conference theme from academics representing fifteen local and international institutions. It is set to provide an exciting platform to debate the challenges facing design education.

Bookings for the conference are open and anyone interested can register at http://www.defsa.co.za/

Helen Bührs is the Managing Director and shareholder of the Inscape Education Group and founder of Four44 Creative ecosystems

Why is it that some people always land the ‘right’ relationship, find themselves in the ‘right’ situation with the ‘right’ opportunities and outcomes? And others, just don’t.
I think the difference is mostly that those who land the ‘right’ anything have understood what is presented to them. Made an intentional choice about who they want to involve in their lives and what they are prepared to strive for and settle for. It’s about knowing your own values, understanding your own expectations and objectives and aligning them to that of your relationship, situation or opportunity.
It’s about NOT just jumping in. It’s about gathering the right information, judging the content and then committing.

Can this thinking be applied to choosing the right institution for your studies? Absolutely. Enrolling at any institution is just like entering a relationship. There is a commitment required from you for the relationship to be successful. A long commitment, often years. You may be fearful, excited and overwhelmed. You need to understand your own expectations of the institution. You need to ensure you align with the values of the institution. You need to ensure that your objective is that of the institutions. Similarly, the institution needs to determine your suitability too.Choosing where to study is often a challenging task because there appear to be many excellent options available. How do you pick the right one? You start by doing some investigation.  The following is a list of things you should consider compiled partly by Juliette Cezzar an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the BFA Communication Design program at Parsons / The New School and partly by me.

Note: For the purpose of this article, we will assume that you have already disregarded institutions that are not accredited and registered.

Start at the top

For each institution you’re considering, read the mission statement and programme description. While these may be aspirational, they represent what success looks like in these programmes. Does it describe an environment and method of study that’s consistent with your own aspirations? Does their definition of design match yours? If there are claims about what you’ll learn or go on to do, are they factual (look for examples or success stories), or are they just feeding into what prospective students want to hear?

Be realistic about your finances

You should know the true cost of any institution including the required equipment for the duration of your studies. Consider the tuition fee per year for the full programme (3-4 years). Some institutions will become more expensive after the first year, whilst others maintain a flat fee year on year including inflation. Purchasing equipment for design studies is expensive and is mandatory if you are serious about becoming a competitive designer. Most institutions will require you to source equipment, textbooks and software over and above the fee they present. Whilst other institutions will source them on your behalf, making them more affordable for you. Finally, any money invested in your studies should lead to an educational experience that lasts, not just an immediate career outcome. Your last job is as important as your first.

‟Enrolling at any institution is just like entering a relationship. There is a commitment required from you for the relationship  to be successful” – Helen Bührs

Understand the Qualification

Know the difference between qualification types; Degrees, Diploma’s and Higher Certificates are undergraduate programmes that lead to postgraduate studies typically at an Honours or Masters level. Within each qualification type you will be presented with, for example a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Design. There are significant differences between these degree programmes. Your institution of choice should be able to explain the differences to you to ensure you are making the right choice for your needs.

Read the curriculum

A curriculum is a series of courses that build upon each other towards mastery in a subject. While you may not understand all the terms, you should be able to infer the structure. Is there a clear core curriculum of required courses that are geared towards the discipline? How do subjects relate to the core? Does the programme emphasize something in particular, such as systems, personal voice, social justice, business, process, or portfolio preparation? While it might sound ideal to have a lot of course choices, you may not always get what you want, and too many options could also mean not graduating with the professional competencies that were promised.

Read course titles and descriptions

Do the courses sound current and relevant for the environment we live in today? Are you required to take, or would you have access to courses that cover design for a wide variety of media, including interactive media? Or will you be directed to specialize in a particular sub-domain? Courses should span concept, methodology, and theory as well as technique, and beyond the first year, should provide opportunities to demonstrate independent thought and making that bring those things together.
If all of the courses lean towards how-to, or are all described as if they’re introductory courses, you won’t attain the same depth or mastery as your peers at other institutions. Look for opportunities to meaningfully apply learned technical skills by engaging critically with the world. The ability to ask the right questions and make connections between unrelated things will outlive any kind of technical knowledge.

Visit the campus

If it’s an online environment, ask to observe a class. Can you picture yourself there for the long term? Is the mission communicated by the staff the same as the one publicly posted?
If you can, talk to students. It’s important to know what life is like for them outside of their studies. Do they work? Do they have internships? How far do they live from campus? Do they spend time with other students? Do lecturers spend time with students outside of class? How many students are in each class? Do they interact with students from other programmes? You can ask staff many of the same questions, but students are more likely to respond with specifics and will know the ups and downs of their experience.

Who are the lecturers?

You will spend most of your time engaging with lecturers and your peers. Since most classes are small and critique-based, students work very closely with lecturers in design institutions. Are most of the courses taught by part-time faculty, full-time faculty, or graduate students? How many faculty have Masters degrees? How many are actively practicing? Look for portfolios and profiles online. Is there a specific school of thought or approach? How current are they in their work and their thinking? Outdated critiques, even from great teachers, lead to work that can be out of touch with current design practice, while faculty new to teaching or to the discipline may have difficulty connecting. Working with a variety of faculty is often the best measure against both extremes.

Student work

What kind of work are the students making? Remember that what you’re seeing has been selected to promote the school. Does it demonstrate a high level of thinking? Current practice and theory? Impressive technique? A program’s values will be evident in the selection.

Student opportunities

What support systems are in place for students. Do the students have good relationships with their lecturers and peers. Does the institution present opportunities for students through International Student Exchange Programs or engage and collaborate with industry to offer industry relevant input. Does the institution require students to complete Work Integrated Learning.

Size matters

Smaller groups of students allow for personalized interaction within the classroom. However, class sizes that are too small limit a class dynamic and prevent spaces for healthy competition. A good balance is required, specifically in design education.

Graduate input

Institutions may seem constant, and have great impact, but are constantly changing. A successful graduate from a decade past is not a predictor for the quality or outcome of a particular programme, especially given how much the professional landscape has shifted. Additionally, staff, and current students at any institution will always tell you that students do well after graduation, because for the most part, they only hear from the ones that do.
Contact recent alumni and ask what their classmates are doing, what kind of person would do well in the programme, and advice they would give for someone going through the same programme.

Consider the location

A school in a city means access to lectures, internships, and cultural experiences, but will also have less space to work, more sharing of resources, potentially long commutes, and other concerns and distractions. A school in a rural or suburban area won’t be able to offer the same spontaneous experiences, but will offer an abundance of time, space, and concentration, making it easier to focus on your work and connect with fellow students in a less anxious environment.

Did you find this article useful? Let me know your thoughts, so I can guide my next article to suit your needs. Please do comment in the comment section below

The life of Helen Bührs is a story of bravery, determination, passion and patience. Helen is the Managing Director and shareholder of Inscape Education Group; the founder of Four44 Creative ecosystems, a space for earners and learners to play, work and train; the initiator of Project81 an empowerment platform for young designers, the founding member of Inscape Exchange, a non-profit organisation responsible for funding scholarships to academically deserving but financially challenged individuals and a wife and mother to four children. Her journey with Inscape started 17 years ago as a part time lecturer. Over the years, Helen has been instrumental in shaping what Inscape is today. She continues to be a positive influence and leader  in growing the Inscape brand from strength to strength. One thing that stands out about Helen is her passion for Design and Design Education. The way she nurtures those around her is how she successfully spreads her thinking and passion.

We got to chat with her to find out what she has been working on lately, family and the one person she would like to share a glass of wine with.

Describe Helen in 3 words

Driven, Authentic, Integrity

We are about to wrap up the first semester for 2017, what are some of the highs and lows that you’ve encountered to date?
Highs:

I have predominantly worked  hard this year to increase our brand awareness – both locally and internationally – in an effort to extend the Inscape student exchange programme to more institutions internationally as well as to develop a global network of design educators.

The interactions that I have had with parents, students and staff through our  information evenings, lecturer exhibitions as well as our Project81 events have been incredible. Efforts to grow our student numbers towards becoming the largest multi-disciplinary design institution in South Africa have far exceeded my expectations this year. Our Brand Ambassadors have visited 429 more schools from January to date, in comparison to 2016. We have proudly waved the Inscape and South African flag high at various local and international expo’s.

Inscape received two Gold Awards at the Rand Show here in South Africa for the exhibition of Project81 and the Inscape Brand. In addition to that, we received the recognition of an institution for Education Award  Fujairah, UAE for our contribution towards Quality Education and Student Mobility. My all-time high has to be the moment we found the  perfect home for our newest campus, further details coming soon!

Lows:

Probably, the time spent  away from my family. Whilst I have had the privilege of visiting Cape Town, Durban, Dubai, Berlin and Belgium in the last five months; it has been tough to balance the responsibilities of being a wife, a mother and a career woman. Striking a good work-life balance is something I am constantly aware of and strive towards. #lifegoal

What do you look forward to in the next semester?

2017, is proving to be the most successful year Inscape has had to date. We have experienced the highest student attendance rate in ten years. This tells me that students are engaging in learning and are serious about their studies. As a result, our pass rates at this stage are looking good and I suspect we will have a higher number of students graduating and passing at the end of the year. I am so looking forward to seeing the results at the end of semester two!

We have managed to assist 66 students financially through our Inscape Exchange scholarship programme this year. It is so important to me that we are making a difference in our communities and that we are able to share the opportunity of quality education with those who would not typically be able to access an environment like Inscape.

I am fervently engaging with corporate firms to assist with funding to grow the scholarship program so that we can assist more students. I pray each day that some important guy high up in some company will see the merit of our programme and see the value of design education in growing our economy and making a difference.

How do you see Inscape growing in the next two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?

This is an interesting question because I don’t really believe in change. The definition of change is essentially an act or process through which something becomes different. Why would we strive to become different –we love who we are as Inscape?

At Inscape, we are about developing each individual holistically to reach their full potential in society. Why would we change this? There is the common cliché that says, ‘people don’t like change’ – What exactly does this mean? Let’s rather use the word progress, growth or improvement instead of the word change. I have never heard of a cliché that says; ‘people don’t like progress’ or ‘people don’t like to grow’ or ‘people don’t like to improve.’

So, with this in mind, I can share with you our 2020 vision that includes reaching capacity, establishing an international footprint and providing 150 scholarships each year.

To do this, we are extending our programme offering to include additional specialisations of the Bachelor of Design and hope to be offering Postgraduate qualifications including Honours programmes and Advanced Diploma’s in the near future. We are exploring the world to establish a network that will connect design institutions globally, grow the student exchange programme and introduce the Inscape brand internationally. With consistent brand awareness and institutional success (each student or staff’s commitment to thrive), our 150 scholarship target will be  quite achievable.

Inscape received two Gold Awards at the Rand Show here in South Africa for the exhibition of Project81 and the Inscape Brand. We also received the recognition of an institution for Education Award  Fujairah, UAE for our contribution towards Quality Education and Student Mobility.

How important is Education to you?

Education, particularly design education is my life. Anyone who knows me knows that I have dedicated most of my adult life not only to promoting design and education but to design education at Inscape specifically. My greatest achievement is the success of the people in my care and I take this responsibility very seriously. I am tremendously grateful for the privilege to head up an educational institution that allows me to live my passion each day.

Helen with Husband, Deon Bührs and their Kids; Travelling Overseas

As Managing Director, you probably get emails from people telling you that they look up to you and would like to be mentored by you. If the tables were turned, who would be the one person that you would like to be mentored by and why?
I don’t think one person could satisfy my mentorship needs BUT –oh wow! – I would love to meet Richard Branson for a glass of wine and hear his story, from the heart. I am sure that behind the perfect branding exercise he has experienced some interesting challenges in his career. I would also have tea with Michelle Obama; a woman I have always admired. She is elegant, feminine and graciously successful.

If you were President for 7 days and had to dedicate each day to a cause, which causes would you choose?
When I was recently in Dubai, I learnt that they have a Minister of Happiness. They even have a happiness patrol with branded vehicles. If I were the president, I would implement this thinking. I believe that as with human centered design thinking, if we were to put others at the centre of our thoughts and intentions, we could establish a nation and government that cares for its people and their wellbeing. This would filter to the man on the street and I believe we would see a decrease in the disregard for human life; an increase in respect for the self and of others and their property.

What are the 3 books you would recommend for one to read?
History’s Worst Decisions and the people who made them (Stephen Weir)
At Home: A short history of private life (Bill Bryson)
Mega Change: The World in 2050 (Edited by Daniel Franklin and John Andrews)

Which one of these ladies would you say you share similar traits with –Olivia Pope (Scandal) or Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder)?

A deeper study of these two characters reveals that Pope “thinks fast and effectively”. Her delivery is rebuking and short. Among her secrets is her affair with President Grant. Some of her employees have law degrees, but do not serve as lawyers. Instead, they are “gladiators in suits” who mollify or avert a wide array of crises. Pope’s “intensity” infuses her team with a “sense of urgency” She appears to be a strong leader who is dynamic but at heart she is complicated.

Keating had a difficult upbringing. From a poor home and sexually abused as a child, she rises above her circumstances to become a successful lawyer. She takes a keen interest in the students she lectures and provides them with opportunities to be exposed to the world and to excel. She unfortunately experiences much loss in her life and this has a direct impact on her relationships and her own self esteem. Whilst Keating appears to have it all together, it is clear that she is a mess and this is why we fall in love with her as the main character.

Women who are leaders in business are often scrutiny for character trait analysis and a question like this can be quite revealing. However, we should always be careful to elevate what appear to be successful people by the position they hold, the fashion they wear and the career they choose. I don’t think I share similar character traits with either of these characters. I think they are both just surviving and they rely on their own strength.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with your staff and students?

“If you are willing to look at another person’s behavior toward you as a reflection of the state of their relationship with themselves rather than a statement about your value as a person, then you will, over a period of time cease to react at all.” – Yogi Bhajan

Inscape’s Alumni Mpho Vackier is a true testament that if you want something you have to work hard,be determined and stay focused. Mpho quit her career as an Engineer and followed her design passion, today all her hardwork and perseverance is paying off as she is  a force to be reckoned with in the design industry. Who in their lifetime can say they got complimented by Calvin Klein? Mpho of course! We got to chat to Mpho about the design industry,projects she is involved in and her plans for 2017,we were inspired!

Who is Mpho?
Most people would say, ooh Mpho is such a perfectionist, never satisfied! I am ambitious yes but I work hard, I expect a lot from myself and despise mediocrity both from myself and everyone around me. (Ask my 8 yr. old J) I am driven, my motto has always been go Big or go home, if you are going  to do something, do it exceptionally well, give it all you can, separate yourself from the sea of sameness by striving for the exceptional. I am a mom, wife, #girlboss, mentor, sister and a work in progress. I am constantly evolving, knowing that I don’t know anything at all. Most of all I am just a girl from a small village in Rustenburg; I have proven again and again mostly to myself that your beginnings do not dictate your future, your work ethic and your attitude do.

You hold a Bachelor of Technology in Extraction Metallurgy and a Bachelor of Design Degree in Interior Design, how did that happen?
I am a metallurgical engineer turned interior designer. I had always felt that I was a designer at heart and 7 years ago I made the leap of faith to quit my job as a metallurgist and study Interior Design. Being creative or living a creative life has always been my goal; this is all I want to do. I used to joke with my husband before I quit my job as an engineer, saying that if a bus hit me after graduation day, I would die happy, because I would have died my true self (morbid, but funny). Being able to create amazing products/spaces that make people’s lives not only better but also prettier; Man! What more can I ask for?

How has the design industry been treating you?
The industry has been great, after I graduated I worked for a small interior design company, where I learnt so much, then through Inscape I got offered the opportunity to exhibit at the Decorex in 2015, which is really when I decided to make the change. I think I always knew I wanted to end up designing products and furniture, so I quit my job and formally started my own interior design and furniture design company DesignPeo. At the beginning of this year I launched a furniture brand under DesignPeo: The Urbanative inspired by ethnic patterns and motifs globally, we constantly explore how graphic cultural signifiers (globally) can be applied and reinterpreted to inspire new and modern product designs that are relatable to the urban modern citizen. Our goal is to connect people back to their cultures as well as to connect people to various other cultures through the reinterpretation and abstraction multiple cultural patterns and motifs. We want to start a conversation and a connection. The brand celebrates the individuality of clients by offering customisable furniture pieces that are truly defined by the owner and their needs. With a firm belief in the idea and the benefits of collaborative working relationships, we work with a range of talented multidisciplinary professionals to offer inspired, imaginative and multifunctional design solutions. It’s been hard but rewarding at the same time, the life of a creativepreneur is hard but man, and it’s exciting.

What projects have you worked/involved in since graduating?
The company I worked for did amazing projects for Legacy hotels, so I have had the pleasure of assisting on projects like the Michelangelo, Elephant Point in the Kruger Park, amazing beauty Spa brands like Waxit, gorgeous homes in and around Africa. On my own, I have focused more on the furniture design brand. We launched this year at the Hello Ambassador Creative conference where we got great feedback, met amazing people. Then we got to design chairs for an amazing event in Florida, Orlando in the US. There has been some amazing connections, photoshoots and opportunities that will bloom next year.

A project that you are most proud of to date?
Interior Design: The overhauling/renovation of my home which is basically a standing portfolio; we just wrapped a photoshoot by one of the Home Design magazines which will be in print in February. Furniture Design: Designing and manufacturing chairs that were used to interview celebrities like 50 cent, John Travolta (A-list Actor and Pilot), Randi Zuckerberg (Former Director of Market Development and spokesperson for Facebook, and a sister of the company’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg), Calvin Klein, Bruce Buffer (Voice UFC), Fredrik Eklund (star of million dollar listing NY), George Ross in Florida, Orlando in the US.

You recently designed chairs for the JT Foxx Family reunion, tell us about that experience:
This was an amazing opportunity, I met JT Foxx this year March and had a meeting with him to discuss my new business (the Urbanative) and he asked me to design the chairs to be used for the event. This event was attended by 1500 plus people from all over the world, I met amazing people from Norway, Sweden, UK, parts of Africa and the US. To think that I conceptualised and created something that had such a crucial part of the event, for all these amazing people. I was both honoured and overjoyed at the opportunity. The chairs received so many compliments, Calvin Klein said that those were the most comfortable chairs he’s sat on in a very long time. The overall design theme of the chairs was defined by the phrase: From Africa to the World; this was illustrated by combining very strong African cultural patterns and forms with modern classical furniture design shapes. These traditional lines/patterns/forms can be found in Setswana basketry, Zulu beading and Ndebele hut surface designs. We wanted to create pieces that are influenced by this amazing continent that is Africa, using cultural signifiers, patterns, arrangements and translating those for the modern/western client into usable and beautifully crafted pieces.

Projects that you would like to be involved in?
Ooh I would love to design pieces for restaurants and hotels, in terms of interior design I would like to do more retail and commercial spaces, but on my bucket list is to do more adaptive reuse projects in inner cities.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
From Everything!! From patterns, images, fashion, graphic design, my family, engineering, travelling, art, literally everything!! Keep your eyes open.

Plans for 2017?
To take over the world!! (Evil Laugh) No seriously to grow The urbanative, we will be at 100 % Design next year and SA Design (Rooms on View) so we are excited about that. A couple of collaborations are on the horizon with amazing creatives. More commercial and retail interior design projects. Overall it’s going to be an insane year.

Advice you would like to share with Inscape’s 2016 Graduates.
You cannot have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic! Whatever your goal in this industry; work harder, dream bigger, think broader. The industry is not interested in mediocre designers, they are looking for innovative, energetic, focused and fired up individuals who eat challenges for breakfast and relish the idea of solving problems.

We caught up with Diandra Haupt, Inscape’s Pretoria campus lecturer.  Diandra has been with Inscape for a year and lectures Applied Design for Fashion and Graphics. She is one to watch, she has showcased at SA Fashion week for her A/W 2015 OPIA Collection which she says was inspired by the movie “Where the Wild Things Are”. Her collection was featured in Marie Claire and  in 2015 she made it to the top 8 emerging fashion designers in Africa.  She got to tell us about life at Inscape, her inspiration and her plans for the future.

Who is Diandra?
I’m a design enthusiast, and have a background in both graphic design and fashion design. I obtained a BA Honours in Information Design at the University of Pretoria and afterwards decided to rather specialise my design skills in the sphere of fashion. I then continued my studies and obtained a BA in Fashion Design from LISOF.
Studying further was definitely the right choice, as the year after I graduated I showcased at SA Fashion Week, as part of the top 5 of the New Talent Search, part of the collection was featured in Marie Claire the following year. During 2015 I was also selected as part of the Elle New Talent Search competition, and made it to the top 8 new emerging fashion designers in Africa.
I am very passionate about design in all disciplines, even though I have narrowed my focus to that of fashion. I have also found a passion in lecturing (specifically here at Inscape) and love seeing the students realise their potential!

How long have you’ve been lecturing at Inscape?
Almost a full year, I’m a newbie.

How are you finding Inscape?
Great! I love Inscape’s approach in teaching design

What subject/module do you lecture?
Applied Design for Fashion (DAD 240), Applied Design for Graphics (DAD 230 & DAD 330), some first year theory subjects as well as Unique Thinking.

Funniest/strangest thing that happened during one of your lectures?
In one of my lectures a student burped really loud, it was funny because it was completely unexpected, as everyone was working and she unexpectedly just burped.

Tell us a bit about your OPIA Collection
OPIA is the ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable.
The collection was inspired by the movie, Where the Wild Things are. The visuals in the film were the key inspiration and influenced the use of natural textiles such as hand knitted items as well as the neutral colour palette. Much like the boy in the movie re-imagines a whole world for himself, the brief called for a discovery of a new point of view and with the collection; the idea was to show the craft element of knitting in a fashion sphere instead of the arts and craft stereotype that it is known for. Therefore hand knitting was used in silhouettes such as a jumpsuit and crop sweater, pairing machine knits with modern fabrics such as scuba.

Who inspires you? Why?
My mom, she is such a driven person and a very awesome Mom, she has always inspired me to achieve my dreams and goals.
I would also have to say Alexander McQueen, as he managed to transform clothing to transcend the concept of fashion and become art. He was such a key figure within the fashion industry and is inspiring in his use of strong concepts and ideas, to drive his collections.

Favourite past time?
Reading

Your proudest moment to date?
Taking part in the SAFW New Talent Search, especially because I was new to the industry and had just graduated.

What are your plans for the future?
To develop my fashion label into a well know brand and hopefully participate in more design competitions and events.

List 5 tracks that reflect/ have contributed to your life journey
5 tracks are not enough, but the most recent ones either have contributed in that they all have memorable moments linked to them.
The City -The 1975
Poison and Wine – The Civil Wars
Seaside- The Kooks
3 Libras- A Perfect Circle
Sweater Weather- The Neighbourhood

OPIA A/W2015

Johannesburg, 1 December 2016 – It’s not often that students think about banks or bank accounts. When life is about learning and preparing for an exciting future, banks aren’t that relevant. All of that is about to change, with the unveiling of Standard Bank’s new-look Student-Achiever Card.

The reveal of the new, unique Student-Achiever card is confirmation that the traditional approach to delivering banking solutions has been turned on its head, says Motlatsi Mkalala, Senior Manager for Youth Customer Financial Solutions at Standard Bank, South Africa. The bank’s newest offering illustrates the change in approach as it is a card created ‘for students by students’-a major departure from the corporate route normally followed in the development of a new brand within the Standard Bank stable.

“The new design for the card unveiled today is the precursor to the launch of our new Student Achiever package.  We believe that the card with its unique design will set the pace for the new solution and attract the attention of the youth market, which for the first time have been consulted on what they would like.”

“The Student-Achiever card is unlike any card previously issued for the youth. It mirrors our belief that customers who have a say in the ‘look and feel’ of a retail solution are more likely to meaningful connections with the bank.  This is more so the case with the youth market that needs solutions that mirrors their aspirations, lifestyle and current youth culture.  For Standard Bank, the objective of achieving this shift is anchored on creating sustainable relationships with the youth.”

To make the Student-Achiever Card appealing to its target market the bank launched a design initiative with the graphic design students of Inscape Education Group at their campuses across the country.

Inscape Education Group is a multi-disciplinary creative institution that considers integrated learning a key principle within their teaching approach and excitedly engaged their students in this challenge and skills enhancing initiative.

Helen Bührs, Managing Director and Principal of Inscape Education Group says “The collaboration between Standard Bank and Inscape Education Group is an attempt to connect the youth to the importance of good financial management, preparing them for an adult world through a visual language that they, the youth will appreciate.

The role of the designer and in this case, the Inscape design student is to interpret the ‘adult’ banking language and to encode it in such a way that a two-way street conversation is achieved and the youth becomes attentive to the brand.

I would like to thank Standard Bank for allowing our students the opportunity to engage in the 48hour brief designing the new youth card for 2017. The trust that Standard Bank has placed in these young and upcoming designers to entice their clients of the future is a testament to their support and confidence of the future leaders and workforce of South Africa”.

To achieve a unique branding for the Student-Achiever card, 54 students were asked to produce five design variations, a single process document  and one theme board displaying all their card designs within 48 hours of being briefed- a situation that the designers could be expected to experience when operating in a typical pressurised business environment.

Short-listed designs that best captured the theme “Making Progress Real” and reflecting the authenticity of South African youth culture were then placed before a judging panel of 18 students for final selection. In accordance with the aims of the Student-Achiever offering, the judges were asked to select a card that could become a companion to young people beginning their life’s journey.

Keeping with the theme that underlines personal development, the winning designer, Kate Gannaway from the Midrand campus of Inscape Education Group, was offered a six-week internship with the Standard Bank design team to set a foundation for her future career.

“The experience within the unit, as well as the acknowledgement for designing a card for a major financial institution, will be very valuable in launching the winning young designer’s career.”

“By creating partnerships with young designers to design the brand collateral and infuse it with an African theme that reflects the beginnings of our culture and looks towards the promise of our future, we believe that Standard Bank has also made the process of developing this banking solution more meaningful for users who will see it as something drawn from their own experiences,” says Motlatsi.

Personal growth and creating opportunities for youth to develop their entrepreneurial talents is central to the Student-Achiever offering.

Our approach to the new Student-Achiever card and its supporting value added services reflects the fact that Standard Bank is embracing changing youth consumer needs and driving innovation.  This means that banking solutions offered by the bank, will be adapted and will keep pace with user requirements.

“We encourage our customers in the youth markets, and across all banking solutions, to let us know what they want in a financial solution. We will then do our best to deliver on these expectations. It is about deepening our relationships with our customers.”

Further information on Student-Achiever offerings can be found by visiting:http://www.standardbank.co.za/standardbank/Personal/Banking/Current-accounts/Student-Achiever