Creatives and emerging designers - This is for you

Are you an emerging designer looking for better opportunities? If so, Clout, a vibrant incubator which is part of the Nando’s Design Programme has an opportunity for you. 

Clout is calling on creatives to submit pitch concepts to a panel of judges for a chance at jump-starting your career and driving business forward. 

Aspiring designers of interior furnishings are urged to participate in the Nando’s Design Programme, which focuses on nurturing upcoming designers from South Africa.

The initiative has not only helped uncover new talents but has helped to catapult upcoming designers to global stardom through annual projects such as the Hot Young Designer competition. More importantly, however, the Nando’s Design Programme has facilitated the exposure of young designers to global business opportunities that have accelerated the growth of their new businesses. 

Image: Supplied One of the judges and Nando’s Design Programme, Property and Development Director, Michael Spinks said: “We have an excellent opportunity. As we showcase South African design to our global Nando’s partners, there is growing demand for our world-class, unique products.

 “We are able to catalyse and transform the design sector by enabling the supply of these products internationally and offer continued support for the development of the SME’s who produce them.

“This commercially sustainable demand will enable us to continue this commitment to design in South Africa and realise the opportunities for South African design on a global stage.”

They are only 24 spaces for shortlisted candidates to present their ideas to a panel of experienced judges at the 100% Workspace arena at 100% Design South Africa 2019, which runs from 7-11 August 2019 at Gallagher Convention Centre.

Image: Supplied The pitching session – which is known as the Clout Designers’ Days Fired Up by Nando’s - will take place on 9 and 10 August 2019. 

Winners will get an opportunity to a dedicated year-long mentorship, inclusion on the Nando’s Portal to Africa - which enables exposure to a global buying audience - and a free display stand at 100% Design South Africa 2020, Africa’s leading product design trade show.

To apply for one of only 24 much-coveted places at the Clout Designers’ Days Fired Up by Nando’s, aspirant pitchers will need to send the following documents and visuals to Natalie Dadswell at Nando’s via: natalie@nandos.com

1.       A minimum of 1 x visual of the pitch project – this can be a drawing, sketch, render, visualisation, etc. Please note that multiple visuals are welcome to help illustrate the concept. If the concept has already been prototyped, then please send photographs of the physical piece.

2.       A short description of the concept.

3.       The designer’s full contact details.

4.       An indication of production capacity and the unit cost to produce.

5.       A copy of the respective designer’s South African ID or residency permit.

All applications must be complete and sent before close-of-business (17h00) on Wednesday 31 July 2019. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Friday 2 August 2019. 

To find out more about Clout, follow @clout_sadesign #clout_sadesign on social media.