Can we all agree that Inscape’s Alumni and former lecturer, Rudolph Jordaan is the hardest working person ever? Rudolph was recently announced as the winner of Win a Home season 3, he runs his own Interior Design Company and has started working for ARRCC as part of his Win a Home prize winnings. We caught up with Rudolph and he got to tell us about life since winning Win a Home, his passion for design and where he draws inspiration from.
Describe Rudolph in 3 words Driven, Introspective, Realistic
When did you realise that design was your thing? It might not actually be my thing but I’m passionate about it – All I recall was my epiphany in matric when I realised I could merge my secretive love for art with functional design aimed at improving lives of the disabled. At that stage I had no art or design background and it was only in my First year at Inscape that I gained enough confidence in my creative abilities.
How has life been like since winning season 3 of Win a Home? MAAAAAD!!! I’ve had my own company now for 2 years but since the competition ended I was approached by a Hotel Group to do a refurb for 56 rooms for their Franschhoek Hotel for this season and had two celebrity clients amongst my other “normal” projects.I’m completing all of this outside of normal working hours as I started working for ARRCC (One of the Judges and designers of the Polo Village at Val de Vie) as part of my prize winnings.
Who/What did you draw inspiration from when completing your design challenges? I really had to rely on my interpretation and sensitive skills when it came to the designs. It was a really tough brief because the design parameters was mostly set by our sponsors and their audiences: Caesarstone wanted to see innovation and optimal use of their product (being made in record times with zero room for error). Plascon wanted us to be daring with colour – contradictory to the monochrome schemes reminiscent of ARRCC and the classical estate living of Val de Vie. This then would have to show best value add for sponsors Private Property and Nedbank.Then it was also steered in the direction and style of my magazine mentor and readers of Real Estate Magazine and off course I had to appeal to the viewer votes of Afternoon Express and their social media feedback, so that they can envision living in my apartment.
Which challenge did you feel was your best? Each and every one- I gave it my all and I am proud of how I managed to get everyone involved get it all done in time and to my standards.
Who would you say was your biggest competitor, Minenhle or Juane? Why? It was a very close run in viewer choice votes throughout the competition but I knew when the judges would walk into my apartment they would see the finer details of quality workmanship, design considerations and valuable materiality. It was also very clear that my competitors designed for themselves and not a client, something I had a little bit more experience in. Juane had a clean style I admire and Minenhle had a quirky side that would brighten up your day.
One thing you will take from the Win a Home experience? Your fate is always unknown. You just have to trust and deal with issues one at a time.
You were a lecturer at Inscape? For how long? 3.5 years and I’m very sad to have left my family at Inscape (PTA/JHB/DBN/CPT)
How was it like lecturing at Inscape? At first daunting as I had older students in my Part Time Architectural draughting evening classes. No day was ever the same. No two designs were ever the same and each new lecturer was crazier than the last. To me lecturing was the perfect way of doing continuous professional development as the content of the courses changed and adapted extremely quickly. My students are now my design champions all over the world.
In terms of style, Drake or Kanye? Kanye knows how to dress and that is as far as his style stretches.
List 5 tracks that reflect/ have contributed to your life journey Aladdin – Whole new world Journey – Don’t stop believing Imagine Dragons – On top of the world One Republic- Counting stars One Republic- I lived
Your plans for the future? The projects are lined up for 2017 but for now I’m planning a well-deserved (7day) break so that I can list my goals in silence.
We got to hang out with Simone Van Rooijen and Demi Soetens, our current Inscape Exchange students from Thomas More University in Belgium. Simone and Demi have been with Inscape since July. They got to tell us on how their stay has been thus far and how they are finding Inscape, see what they had to say,
Simone: The experience has been wonderful; I met a lot of new and kind people.I learnt a lot about South Africa and its culture. During the 3rd Term break we went on a road trip and drove past Caledon, Hermanus, George, Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay, The Crags and even made it to Port Elizabeth! We also visited Annemie van den Bergh in Graaff-Reinet. The activities that we do around Cape Town are also very cool! Demi: Incredible! I have met a lot of nice people and everyone is helpful.
2. What do you enjoy about Inscape? Simone: Inscape is a “small” institution and I really like the lectures and classes.The way people take you in is a great feeling, our first day with Ilze (Campus Operations Administrator), Lee (student) and Annalita (Academic Manager) was amazing, they made us feel at home! I also enjoy working on projects as I find them challenging. Demi: The environment! Small campus, small groups, everyone knows each other.
3.Your favourite lecture/Module? Simone: Applied Design, Annalita (Lecturer) makes the module so fun to learn, I like how she interacts with us. Demi: Applied Design, Imraan (Lecturer) is incredible!
4.Which project have you enjoyed working on? Why? Simone: I really enjoyed the Food-Take away project we did in the Applied Design class and the building materials project we did in the Applied Technology class, where we had to transform the building materials into wearable garments. Demi: I really enjoyed the building materials project we did in the Applied Technology class; it was amazing how we were able to transform the material into wearable garments!
5.What is the strangest/funniest experience you’ve had since you’ve been in South Africa? Simone: The strangest thing was actually realising how similar Dutch and Afrikaans are! Demi: Preparing for the Fashion Show, think all the drama that happens backstage at Fashion Shows.
6.How are you finding Cape Town? Simone: Cape Town is a great city and I am glad that we made the choice to study at the Cape Town campus. There are a lot of cool things to do here, if I had to sum up my Cape Town experience in one word, I would say AMAZING!! Demi: Beautiful city, there are lots of adventures that one can do. I am just waiting for the sun!
7.Favourite South African dish? Simone: Melktert Demi: Melktert
8. Have you collected any local souvenir? What is it? Simone: Yes, on our road trip we drove past a little shop and I bought key rings in the shape of the African continent made of animal skin. Demi: I bought some leather and will make some nice fashion piece from it.
9.One word to describe your Student Exchange experience? Simone: It’s incredible! For someone who has never traveled outside of Europe, I must say I am learning a lot. Demi: Amazing! I am glad I am part of this experience, I will go back home a better person.
10.One thing you will take from this experience? Simone: I was motivated to do better and I intend on applying that in my everyday life! Demi: Learning about different cultures, has made me realise that I am a global citizen and that if you put your mind towards something, it is possible!
Simone Van Rooijen
Demi Soetens
Inscape introduced ‘Inscape Play’, our exciting and thriving student exchange program in 2014 in partnership with Thomas More University in Belgium. Since its inception, Inscape has had three students participate in the exchange program and we have hosted three students from Thomas More.
Why do we do this? To ensure our students are diverse and knowledgeable in international and local design practices, to broaden their knowledge base, create a richer student fraternity and to have fun!
We had a quick chat with Madre Vorster our 2016 Inscape Exchange Student. Madre who is a 2nd year Bachelor of Design specialising in Interior Design student, at Inscape’s Midrand Campus, is currently completing her 4th Term at Thomas More University in Belgium as part of the Inscape Play student exchange programme.
From visiting a Cathedral, climbing a tower which is 100 metres high and learning Dutch, it seems like Madre is having the time of her life and she’s only been in Belgium for 4 weeks!
Here’s what she had to say:
The first day I arrived in Belgium was quite hectic. I had to get my room, blankets, cooking materials and went to buy my necessary groceries. A few days after we had a student welcome where we met all the new and international students and had a tour of our campus. The campus is very big but the interior campus is definitely the most beautiful one of all. That Friday we had a tour through the city of Mechelen where we saw the old city hall and visited the inside of the cathedral. After we saw it we decided to climb the tower the next day. It is 100m high and had 530 steps to the top. It was hectic but so much fun. The people are also very friendly and helpful.
I almost got hit by a car while riding my bike. Leaves keep hitting me in the face while I ride my bike as well. Hahaha.Trying to learn Dutch and hearing all the other people trying is also quite funny!
The students are actually the same as at Inscape, the only thing that is really different is the language. Everyone is friends with everyone and help one another when they need it.
The people love walking around and riding their bikes. On a Sunday almost all the shops are closed and the streets are very quiet. On Saturdays, they have a market on the big square which they call City Center, they sell vegetables, fruits and so on. But they seem like a close community.
Survival Dutch because I always wanted to learn a new language and it isn’t that hard because Dutch and Afrikaans are quite similar.
The food. I miss having a braai and seeing my family. I really miss everyone back home.
Yes! We went to Bruges the past weekend where we saw their cathedral and visited their beer and chocolate museums. The cathedrals are definitely my favourite things to see because we learnt so much about them last year and the year before at Inscape and now I get to see them in person. They are really big and beautiful.
Waffles!!
Pack warm and cold clothes. The weather is sometimes very unpredictable, you need an umbrella.
Haha no. They don’t really have any. None that I have picked up yet.
Are you interested in Architecture but not exactly sure whether you want to launch straight into a degree? Find out how you can get an in-depth introduction into the world of architecture while getting a tertiary qualification at the same time.
After matric, many students follow the popular route of starting a degree at a university or a university of tech. But in many cases, students aren’t 100% sure if they are choosing the right degree, or if there are perhaps other cool options they don’t yet know about.
High school students who are interested in Architecture sometimes get overwhelmed at the thought of complex mathematical measurements and coming face to face with aspects of engineering. In this case, the best thing to do is to explore the field as much as possible and make sure it is in fact your true passion, before committing to multiple years of full-time study.
Architecture – A Quick Definition
When we talk about architecture, we refer to the design and construction of something – anything really. It can refer to the human brain, a church, a bonfire, or a website.
On a day to day basis, however, we tend to use the term architecture when we refer to the design and construction of buildings. It’s indeed the kind of architecture that dominates much of human history – just think about colonial times, and how even today, many of the houses and buildings in previously colonised countries still reflect historic eras. A perfect example is the Cape Dutch building style of our famous Long Street in Cape Town.
Architecture is a field that fascinates many. And it’s also a platform where people can combine creativity, problem-solving, and the desire to impact their environment in a positive way.
Studying Architectural Technology
If you are keen to become an architect, but you’re not entirely sure if you want to go ahead and embark on a university degree quite yet, you might want to consider getting an introductory qualification to architectural studies. If you discover that you love it to bits, then you can go on to further your architectural qualification at a university level.
The Inscape Education Group http://stoogle.co.za/institutions/film-media-and-design/inscape/#1456303509808-9b764cfb-723ahas an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to spend a year learning about the most fundamental aspects of architecture. Their Higher Certificate in Architectural Technology qualifies students on an NQF Level 5, and equips them to continue their architectural studies on a university level, if they wish to do so.
Insight from a Student
To get a better idea of what it’s like to study towards this qualification in Architectural Technology, we asked former Inscape student Tayla Robertson to give us some personal insight.
Check out the Q&A.
What was it like to study Architectural Technology at Inscape?
The AT course at Inscape was very interesting, because it taught me about a broad range of fields relating to the built environment and architecture, for example about materials, sustainability, and the business aspects of running your own architecture practice.
It was a very thrilling and exciting field of study, but also quite time-consuming. Architectural Technology requires concentration, patience and a creative mind.
Can you break down some of the course module content?
We had various modules that equipped us with different skills and knowledge. Some examples include learning about
What made you decide to pursue this path?
I decided to study AT, because I have always been interested in architecture. I’m fascinated by how buildings are constructed, and by the different types of architecture around the world.
What are the admission requirements?
You need to have your NSC with an admission to a Higher Certificate, and you need to have English as a subject.
What skills do students need for this qualification?
Drawing skills, a flare for design and creativity. It’s also important to have some skills in Maths in order to take accurate measurements when producing technical drawings.
Can you tell us about some of the challenges?
In this course it can be quite challenging to stick to your deadlines and have the patience to complete your assignments. Any design process is very time-consuming.
Another challenge is having to think on your feet. For example, you need to be able to come up with an adequate answer when a lecturer asks you a question, or asks you to summarize a recent reading.
What doors does this qualification open?
What have you been up to since graduating?
I’m currently furthering my studies by completing a Diploma in Architectural Draughting. At the same time, I’m working part-time for a Cape Town based Architectural firm. It’s great, because I’m furthering my education while gaining valuable work experience.
A Little more on Inscape & the Higher Certificate in AT
You can study towards Inscape’s Higher Certificate in Architectural Technology either by
or
The course consists of 16 modules, and you’ll also complete 240 hours of supervised Experiential Training – happy cheers for work experience!
After you complete this course, you can register as a Candidate Architectural Draughtsperson as well as start professional internships.
In case you are worried that you won’t have the necessary technology like computers, or software programmes, you can relax. It’s included in the course. You’ll have free access to things like
For an extra fee you can also get access to a laptop.
If you want to know more and get a full overview of the course modules and overall breakdown of this Higher Certificate, click here.
APPLY TO INSCAPE
http://www.inscapeonline.co.za/members/member_individual.php
Admission Requirements: NSC with admission to Higher Certificate and English as a subject.
Just because you have your Matric and know what you are interested in doesn’t necessarily mean you know exactly what to study – we get that. And its opportunities like these that make everything a little easier. If you want to explore a career field first and then decide on a degree, that’s totally okay. And if you can do so by getting work experience and a tertiary qualification at the same time, all the better.
Stoogle 2cents
If you love design, but aren’t convinced that architecture is the right branch within the design world, have a look at some other options. Ideation link is a field in the design industry that has been taking off quite fast, because ideators are the people who help shape an idea into a final product. We recommend you check this out specifically if you want your ideas and designs to have a big impact on society and your environment.
Jul 20, 2016 | Blog | 0 comments
Some people just have that natural knack for style. This flair can of course even lead to pursuing a career in fashion. Inscape’s Fashion Design graduate Michelle chats to Robyn about her studies for this feverish industry.
Let’s face it – people like to look good. Always have and always will. According to Scratch Hard, the fashion industry makes $20 billion every single year – that’s about R320 billion! Which means dipping your finger into that pool will never be a bad idea. http://www.scratchhard.com/about/blog/40-interesting-facts-about-fashion/
People use fashion for many different reasons. It’s a way to show off their personal style. Some styles are for business people, which is easily recognisable (suit, tie, you know the drill). There’s also active wear fashion, or formal clothing for events and other snazzy occasions. Pretty much every situation and occasion calls for a certain dress code and there are usually plenty of options for each one.
Fashion ain’t a New Trend
Fashion has been around for thousands of years, and has had an impact on social class and trends from the get-go. The Ancient Greeks, for example, wore togas, and different colours signified different social classes. In historical Western society, peasants wore brown and grey clothes, bankers and other medium class society wore green while the nobility and upper class frequented colours like purple and red to show off their social standing. Here’s another interesting fun fact: the first fashion ‘magazine’ came out France in the mid-1500s, furthering the fashion craze.
Ever thought about if some fashion gurus become as famous as actors, singers, or other celebrities? Ever heard of the name Christian Dior? Well, this designer single-handedly designed the A-line and pencil skirt in the 1920s – both of these clothing styles are still widely used today.
(Credit: Stephanie Bradshaw Pinterest account-https://www.pinterest.com/SBcreativeshop/ )
Fun fact: The skirt is the second oldest garment in the world, second only to the loincloth.
Hard Work Pays Off
I chat to Michelle Dindi, a fashion graduate from Inscape. She had a passion for creating beautiful garments and decided to join this huge world of fashion and add her own mark to it – perhaps even be the next Coco Chanel or Christian Dior.
When Michelle had first applied for the fashion degree at Inscape, she expected to spend the next few years learning the art of sewing. Thankfully she was pleasantly surprised at the layout and courses offered in her degree. She was taught a wide variety of skills and obtained knowledge that is now invaluable to her.
This is what Michelle has to say about her degree:
“A fashion degree is an intense course of study with a heavy workload, thus meaning extra hours put in. The degree involves a lot more than simply sewing, therefore a lot of time is spent on conceptualisation and the development of a collection before it is put together.
A vast majority of the work is practical with the exception of methodology, writing and business subjects, as it prepares you for the industry. The intricacy of the designs also affects the hours put in and the expense of materials. Fabrics are generally expensive. However, this depends on the garment. I do therefore suggest that you explore your area to find alternatives to traditional mass fabric stores.”
Regarding the workload, Michelle explains,
“Although it is a lot of hard work, like all degrees, if the passion is alive, a fashion degree can be highly rewarding… You will be continually challenged and as a result you will grow personally.”
The Currency of Time
As you may have noticed from Michelle’s feedback, time is definitely of the essence in the fashion world. During your course, you will be faced with deadlines to meet and customers to keep happy. This prepares you for the real world where deadlines become ever present. Inscape may have the luxury of extending your deadline, but they probably won’t, since their aim is to prepare you for life post-studies. So enjoy the challenges.
A problem that may arise when you face a looming deadline, is the arrival of self-doubt. As anxiety and stress kick in, you may start doubting yourself and your capabilities to handle the project or even your degree. This is normal and it can only help you grow. Michelle faced this and she got out stronger for it.
“Inscape continually encouraged me. This was so important, because self-doubt, particularly in fashion, can be debilitating. This field is highly subjective. Inscape showed me my strengths and pushed me to better my weaknesses.”
Make use of the support and people you have around you. The problem with students is they tend to think that they’re just a number in a tertiary institution and that the lecturers and staff can’t be bothered with their problems. This isn’t true – take advantage of institutions like Inscape. Make use of their support and knowledge and allow them to continually guide you on your journey.
Inscape Fashion Design
Inscape Durban (https://www.inscape.ac.za/durban-campus-gallery/) is a reasonably small campus. Michelle says that she enjoyed the smaller campus as faces became familiar and friendly. It is situated just on the outside of the Durban CBD, so it would just be a quick ride or walk to get anywhere in town.
Inscape has a variety of different specialisations to its Bachelor of Design degree and other courses you could do, all of them revolving around the world of design. Some of their newer specialisations include; Jewellery Design, Ideation, Marketing and Communication Design, Interaction Design and Audio-Visual Design. Take a look at their site for the full list of what they offer. (https://www.inscape.ac.za/)
The smaller campus means intimate classes. So you’re more likely to develop a relationship with your lecturers and to become friends with your fellow classmates. You definitely won’t just stay a number and vague face there.
Fun fact: 93% of Inscape graduates secure employment in their chosen career.
And the Craze Goes on…
I’m sure you’re wondering about the availability of jobs after studying a fashion degree. Just like any other field, most jobs require a few years of experience before you can apply for a position somewhere, which is frustrating at the best of times. How can a graduate fresh out of school have any sort of experience?
Michelle suggests doing an internship (link to http://stoogle.co.za/im-a-graduate-i-need-a-job/) at a fashion company. You probably won’t be paid and if you do, it won’t be much. But the knowledge and experience you’ll garner while interning will be invaluable and could guarantee a fantastic job. The jobs that are available to graduates are trainee and assistant buyer positions. But this may not be your passion or desired field, hence why Michelle suggests taking on an internship.
Just as every other field in the world, the fashion field is ever-evolving. Michelle says that the fashion world is becoming more e-commerce (online means of doing business) and online shopping will be a lot more prominent in the future, as it’s easier and quicker than searching store after store for the specific garment that you want. The need for people in the fashion industry will never drop, only the methods of trade. So jobs in this industry should never run dry.
There are a variety of different fields into which a fashion degree can take you. The wide scope of job opportunities lends itself to being a very marketable degree. Some of the fields you could branch into with a fashion degree are:
This is a pretty wide range of things to go into and there are bound to be some positions available for you.
As Raymond Taylor from Inscape told me, clothing production is coming back to South African shores. This means that there will be an increase in fashion jobs in South Africa in the next few years.
Last Words
Michelle’s last words of advice are,
“If someone is passionate about fashion, I would highly recommend studying it. It is creatively stimulating and constantly evolving. But it’s not a career path you should choose lightly, as it’s a serious, fast-paced industry.”
So if you find yourself sitting in high school thinking of a fashion career, seriously consider your goals and dreams for life. Fashion isn’t a light-hearted field where people dilly-dally around. It comes with serious stress and challenges, which can be rewarding. But you don’t want to be halfway through your degree and unable to handle an unexpected curveball life could throw at you.
Michelle recommends taking Art at school (link to http://stoogle.co.za/grade-9-how-to-choose-the-right-high-school-subjects/ )to help make the transition to the Fashion degree a bit easier for you. She also suggests getting to know the Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software before starting your studies. Perhaps play around with it a bit in your school holidays (link to http://stoogle.co.za/optimising-your-matric-break-with-a-study-plan/ )after your Matric exams (link to http://stoogle.co.za/tips-to-get-you-exam-ready/).
If Fashion Design is your heart’s calling and passion, then take a look at the course Inscape offers. Michelle is extremely happy with her degree and thoroughly enjoyed her time at Inscape. With a specialised field like fashion, lecturers who notice and care for you, help make your life easier. So go for it. Check it out and start working towards your goals.
Take the plunge and follow your fashion design dream – making people look and feel good while fulfilling your dreams is never a bad idea. Especially with the great news of clothing production becoming local.
Ever wondered about what happens behind the scenes before a piece of fashion makes it onto the runway? Take a look at some of the frustrations you may face as a fashion design student:
https://www.inscape.ac.za/
Bachelor of Design – A Spotlight on Ideation
How does the combination of design, creativity, and problem-solving sound to you? A degree in Ideation will open doors to careers in which you can release your innovative genius and find solutions to environmental and social problems.
“I begin with an idea, and then it becomes something else.” – Pablo Picasso
Any design starts with an initial idea. A simple, fundamental idea. It’s arguably the easiest part of the design process, because we don’t do much to get ideas – they seem to just pop into our heads, like sparks of inspiration and creative thoughts. Once an idea has popped into our head though, we need to make something of it – otherwise that’s all it will ever be – an idea.
What is Ideation?
The term ‘to ideate’ means to form or generate ideas – pretty much to come up with an idea. Ideation, as it were, is exactly that. It’s the steps we take to shape and rethink ideas in order to end up with a final product.
Helen Buhrs from the Inscape Education Group explains,
“Ideation is the process of creating and developing ideas to suitably address problem-solving within a given environment or system. The implementation of idea-generation to the realization of a measurable output is key to a successful ideation process.”
Ideation is the thing that happens when you take ideas and shape and explore them further, and you can think of it in the following (very simplified) way:
Ideation = Get Idea + Work on Idea + Make it Happen
In the following video clip, Steven Johnson touches on the way an idea starts out as a hunch, and that it takes time and continuous development to make that hunch grow into a solid idea, and finally, a useful product. Give it a watch, because it’s a good way to introduce you to the ideation process.
To get another glimpse into where Ideation can take you, have a look at Ideation pioneers Sven Andrén and Jan Sandgvist who are part of the amazing team at Google.
You can also check out Tim Brown’s book titled Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organization and Inspires Innovation.
How Is Ideation Different from Design?
Design has typically been associated with visual productions. Graphic Design http://stoogle.co.za/just-my-cup-of-graphic-design/, Photography and Multimedia rely on visual messages and storytelling. Interior Design and Architecture result in a physical space or structure. Jewellery and Fashion Design integrate objects and adornments.
Ideation, however, is about designing thinking and systems through design that allow for a change in human behaviourto manipulate a message, environment, culture or system. A specialist in this field requires a good understanding of existing design disciplines to coordinate them to effect changes within the given system or space. Yep, Ideation is a real game changer.
Are You a Born Ideator?
If you want to come up with a design, you have to use your ideas and then work on them – extensively – until you end up with a final product. This requires a lot of creativity and strategy.
When you go into the design industry (be it fashion, architecture, engineering, or any other field) ideation will be dominating your mind for pretty much the entire duration of a project.
“A great ideator is curiously intellectual, highly collaborative and good at communicating. They are likely to enjoy ticking boxes, making presentations, researching and investigating issues both in their immediate environment as well as on a global scale. An analyst at heart loves watching people and is intrigued by human behaviour.”
– Helen Buhrs, Thought Leader and Managing Director at the Inscape Education Group
Looking at the bigger picture of what ideation means for a designer, here are some important elements to keep in mind.
Inscape’s Bachelor of Design – Experts on Ideation
The Inscape Education Group http://stoogle.co.za/institutions/film-media-and-design/inscape/ offers a full-time 3-year Bachelor of Design, which will qualify you with an NQF Level 7. It’s the only institution to offer the Bachelor of Design qualification in South Africa and strives to facilitate holistic learning to develop each individual to achieve their full potential in society. It’s a very specific course, and from the 250 students that enrol at Inscape each year, a selected few go on to specialise in Ideation.
With this Bachelor of Design, students can choose to specialise in Ideation. This means you’ll be following an academic programme that promotes the principles of design thinking and innovation as its basis. Development of innovative planning,
Helen comments further,
“The exit level outcome is to ensure that graduates are able to communicate insights from research to clients to ensure potential design solutions are provided for identified businesses and individual users alike.”
When you launch your creative self into the B. DES, you’ll learn a lot of new skills and responsibilities, for example
Helen also highlights how, in today’s world, designers are expected to think and address solutions through a trans and multi-disciplinary approach, offering a service that not only produces design results but impacts intentionally on human behaviourand development of communities. As it were, this attitude towards design, ensures that Inscape’s graduates have an awareness of a variety of disciplines in the sector.
She notes,
“Students develop the ability to stretch their thinking to accommodate this global need. It ensures the individual’s potential as well as the growth of the design industry.”
If you’re keen to find out more info on the course breakdown – just click here.
Apply to Inscape
Admission Requirements
OR
What kind of careers follow a B. DES?
Design is a creative skill, and with anything creative, it can be applied to a whole range of careers. Ideation graduates have a lot of diverse career paths they can follow. In fact, once an ideator has some good experience, they can fit into any organisation that embraces forward-thinking and technology.
With a Bachelor in Design specifically, you could go on to work in one of the following:
Here’s another cool video on Design Thinking – it breaks down what it’s all about.
Written by Helen Bührs Principal and Managing Director of Inscape Education Group
A new Era, a new brand, a continued vision…
The image of an organisation is key to communicating the intended message of the company. The responsibility of this message cannot rest solely on the shoulders of a logo developed by a graphic designer. The culture, ethos and core values must be communicated through the people, the product or service and the places they inhabit. This magic is then packaged into a visual message created by the graphic designer.
It is the marketing and communication designer who acquaints himself with the inner workings of an organisation and communicates this to the rest of the design team to ensure that the magic is packaged appropriately. Finally selling the idea to the client and maintaining the implementation through specialised PR and marketing campaigns.
When a company intends to rebrand, it is advisable to include a full design team to ensure that the entire team understands the strategy behind the rebranding exercise and to offer input into the process to ensure the final application is consistent.
Helen Bϋhrs, Thought Leader and Managing Director of Inscape Education shares some insight into the brand evolution over time as well as the most recent rebranding of this leading higher education institution.
It is common practice for a company to rebrand from time to time. Inscape has rebranded 8 times since 1981. As the organisation has developed and matured and changes in the Higher Education landscape have evolved, growth has become apparent.
A diversification of product offering extended the brand to include a wider market and type of individual. The corporate identity of the organisation has developed and evolved alongside these changes.
The many faces of Inscape since its establishment in 1981 – 2016 include;
Why do companies rebrand?
Susan Gunelius, Editor for the AYTM.com blog and author of numerous books about marketing, branding and social media and marketing-related articles that appear on top media websites such as Entrepreneur.com and Forbes.com speaks about companies rebranding to be proactive or reactive.
“Sometimes a company sees a reason to rebrand to seize an opportunity or thwart potential threats in the future. For example, proactive rebranding might include; predicted growth, new line of business or market, a new audience and relevancy.
Other times, companies rebrand in reaction to an event that is so significant that the existing brand must be changed. For example, reactive rebranding might happen in situations like: Mergers or Acquisitions, Legal Issues, Negative Publicity”
In 2011, Inscape intentionally developed products to include new lines of business and market. The growth of product range included; accredited Higher Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees, part-programme Awards and short courses in the Graphics, Fashion, Interior and Architectural careers.
The different types of programmes were each housed under their own visual identity. By providing each type of product with an identity we have been able to characterize them and understand how each product can suitably be matched to individuals who have potential in success by that product. The three brands alongside each other complimented the product and in our eyes reflected diversity.
The resultant effect, however, was a diluted brand that caused confusion and required excessive time and funds to maintain. Whilst each product required its own visual identity at that time it soon became clear to us that the overriding character of all Inscape products is quality that is realized through unique thinking.
After only two years, it was time again, to relook the message being communicated by the organisation and in 2013 we regrouped and put together a multi-disciplinary team of creatives.
The team established to manage the rebrand of Inscape included; ideation specialists, graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, interaction designers, audio-visual designers and marketing and communication designers. Together with the minds behind the product, the journey began.
The team were taken through the history of the brand and were exposed to the inner essence of the product, people and places…
The word Inscape was coined by the poet, philosopher and the theologian Gerard Manley Hopkins who was intensely inspired by the natural world. In fact, the term inscape describes the uniqueness of all things natural. To us, each person at Inscape is unique. Hence our slogan… Unique thinking.
The rebrand was planned with the intention of promoting unique thinking as its primary emphasis.
The new brand recognises our proud legacy of emphasis on people and quality. But it also focuses us on our future in innovation. The new logo is modern and assertive; it says we are confident and we mean business. Incidentally the typeface is unique too.
– See more at: http://aytm.com/blog/research-junction/rebranding-essentials-why-rebrand/#sthash.L1BTN0tb.dpuf
Helen, goes on to explain that, the rebranding and positioning of a business is crucial to the success of the business. It is advisable that there is good synergy between the various experts who may be involved in the process. Employing or outsourcing to suitable strategists, designers, marketing and branding experts will determine the outcome of the process. This is not always as simple as it may seem as each expert speaks their own ‘language’.
Marketing and Communication designers, the new term used for modern marketers are able to facilitate the message required by the organization to the designers and then manage the design process ultimately presenting preferred solutions to the organization or client.
The ability to represent a message visually aids the modern marketer to communicate words and imagery interchangeably and spontaneously. A Marketing and Communication designer will be required to fully understand the needs of the organization by facilitating conversation. The design management process is effective and efficient whilst the marketing and communication designer guides the designers with the end goal in sight.
With firsthand experience, the inclusion of the marketing and communication designer in the process convinced Inscape Education Group of the relevance of such a role player and have therefore included this specialty as a stream for their Bachelor of Design programme.
The definition of work and its space according to google is the activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result. The activity can be completed in isolation but typically we gather in groups to realise a result through team effort in a cohabited environment.
Similarly the definition of family; A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children cohabiting and completing mental and physical activity to achieve desired results indicate a pack mentality whether at work or home.
Research indicates that these definitions are outdated.
According to the Department of Basic Education, in 2008 some 481 994 ‘double orphans’ were enrolled in ordinary schools. Another 1 661 275 children whose mother or father had died (single orphans) were enrolled in school.
Two generations ago, the typical American family consisted of a father, a mother, and three or four children. In contrast, in a recent survey that asked respondents what constitutes a family, a woman in her 60s wrote the following: My boyfriend and I have lived together with my youngest son for several years. However, our family (with whom we spend holidays and special events) also includes my ex-husband and his wife and child; my boyfriend’s ex-mother-in-law and her sister; his ex-wife and her boyfriend; my oldest son who lives on his own; my mom and stepfather; and my stepbrother and his wife, their biological child, adopted child, and “Big Sister” child. Needless to say, introductions to outsiders are confusing (Cole, 1996: 12, 14).
These two vastly different parodies are indicative of the change in family structure and dynamics that we experience in 2015 globally. The result, the world’s future workforce battling the contrast of independence, lack of belonging, sustainability and self-indulgence expressed in a world where truancy is rampant and impacting communities at large.
In the UK alone truancy has soared by 40% in the last 20 years, with more than 62 000 children a year now skipping school without a good excuse. South African statistics of this nature are hard to come by, however, we understand that according to STATSA that 17.5 percent of children and 36.4 percent of youth aged 15 to 24 who dropped out of educational institutions cited a lack of money to pay for fees as the main reason for dropping out. By the age of 22, around 52.7 percent of youth were not attending an educational institution or working.
In a thesis on truancy, Gauteng psychologist Dr Monkie Muriel Moseki lists, among the reasons, personality factors such as poor social skills, learning problems, scholastic failure and low self-esteem; school factors such as poor facilities, poor teaching, overcrowding and bullying; and family factors such as poor parental involvement, child headed households, violence in the home and substance abuse.
The new norm.
Bring in the growing number of companies committed to re-imagining workspace, all of which offer open, collaborative co-working spaces, complete with on-site amenities and frequent networking opportunities to inspire collaboration, innovation and creativity.
The target audience for this disruptive model is the worker who is tech savvy, mobile, and sees work as an “experience” rather than merely a place to go to every day. According to Wikia’s “Limitless Generation” survey of around 1,203 Gen Z-ers, this generation spends almost every waking hour online, with only 44% reporting that they even “unplug” during religious services. The bottom line is that for this generation, staying digitally connected is like breathing. These youngsters are most likely from the complicated American family referred to previously.
According to Jeanne Meister on Forbes, for workers of all generations, working is now more than ever considered an “experience,” rather than merely the source of a pay check. I am, however, concerned that the attempt to create playgrounds in which the newest generation can be optimally productive forgets the deeper rooted issues brewing in the background.
A breakdown in societal groups as we know them by definition, whether simple and singular or complex redefines the individual within the pack. The change in the structure must impact on the way we engage with groups including those at work. An authenticity to each individual’s reality whether it be an intentional rebellion of the system, a truancy, if you like or an ambitious attempt at asserting ones sense of responsibility for a broken society will define company structures going forward.
The work environment of the future addresses the circumstantial needs of individuals. A space that provides individual connectivity – not necessarily in person to people who are independent from the system.
Individuals who realise their impact and yearn for a sense of belonging, however, aligning with a brand or corporate identity is a thing of the past.
Driven to regroup in an attempt to self-gratify and drive lifestyle in a perverse trusted online environment on the move, at the playground, multi eventing or whilst learning in spaces determined by each person’s chosen responsibilities.
We will see the rise of child headed companies made up of a diverse set of talents that engage outside of business hours using language and technology on their terms whilst achieving results instantly.
By Jeanne Baker-Muller
How should we approach trends as designers? Should we merely just follow them because they are trends and it is our job to know what’s hip and happening, or should we be the ones ‘telling’ trends how to behave?
Following trends can be a very daunting and confusing task. How does one decide which ones to follow, which ones not to follow and when is it time to trade in the old for the new.
As soon as we master a trend a new one emerges, and once again we need to put on our chameleon suites and adapt to a new set of ‘rules’ because apparently we are flexible like that. Let’s face it, we loathe change because it means we need to lock up and abandon our cosy comfort zone caves for the unknown.
NEWS FLASH! You shouldn’t be settling with a trend and become too comfortable with it, it is a resource and not your BFF.
For this reason designers need to set boundaries for how trends affect our decision-making and realise that they merely serve as guidelines and not the rule. We should step up as fierce ringmasters and tame trends to fit our design solutions instead of forcing our solutions to conform to a trend. This will result in designers being more in charge when deciding which trend to follow and when to abandon a trend for something better.
For this to become a reality we should embrace a culture of setting trends. I’m not suggesting that we discard all trends and attempt to ‘reinvent the wheel’. What I’m getting at is that we should be at the forefront of trend evolution instead of following trends blindly like a flock of sheep. Instead of just accepting them for what they are, we should challenge them on every level possible.
As a trendsetter you need more than just an eye for cool things, you need to be a curious individual who study trends diligently to determine the elements and the reasons why a specific trend is so popular, and identify its shortcomings at the same time. A trendsetter worthy of their name can anticipate the direction in which a trend is developing and then make the next move to evolve it into something better and more relevant to a specific design challenge.
We shouldn’t become so fixated on a trend that we miss the bigger picture. We should pursue our calling to be one of a kind, creative creators with unique thoughts, a unique style and a unique approach to solving design challenges.
Hot or cold, expensive or cheap, most people absolutely love coffee! Can you imagine starting your day without your cuppa, or setting your creative energy free without a dose of caffeine? Okay, so we don’t have to tell you how awesome coffee is. But, we bet you don’t know everything about where the magic of coffee begins and ends.
Okay, enough talk about coffee, let’s go grab a cup of goodness!