Enter Nando’s HYD 2024!
Are you an aspiring furniture designer? We invite you to enter the screen dream!
About the competition
The Nando’s Hot Young Designer business accelerator opportunity stands as the centrepiece of the Nando’s Design Programme and ranks among South Africa’s premier biennial design initiatives. Over the years, this platform has propelled numerous local design careers, including that of Thabisa Mjo from Mash T. Design, who emerged as one of the inaugural competition winners in 2016. Mjo has described this opportunity as nothing short of life-altering, citing it as the catalyst that “changed the trajectory of my entire life”.
Managed by Clout/SA on behalf of Nando’s, a purpose-driven enterprise, creative agency, and business-to-business (B2B) market-maker for South African design, the Hot Young Designer (HYD) opportunity embodies a profound ambition. Clout/SA seeks to ignite the emergence of a globally recognized South African Design Category Brand by nurturing the next generation of young South African design talent.
The core objective of the HYD business opportunity is to unearth exceptional young South African Designer-Makers and afford them the chance to prototype their winning design. Moreover, the winning applicant will embark on a 3 months one-on-one coaching crafted to provide focused business and creative mentorship – supporting their holistic growth, both creatively and commercially.
This opportunity unfolds in three distinct phases: an application phase, wherein aspiring designer-makers submit their entries; a shortlist phase, during which finalists are chosen to develop prototypes of their screen designs; and a final stage, where the winning designer-maker will be selected and go on to receive a programme of tailored support. This program encompasses prototyping support, mentorship, market access, showcasing opportunities, and community engagement with South Africa’s premier designer-makers.
Important considerations
Screens vary in size based on their positioning and how they need to function within a space. Screens that function as room dividers could be made of components that fit together as a collection of pieces no less than 80 cm wide and 2.4 m in height. The full extent could be 3.6 m in length. Sizing needs to respect the use of the chosen materials and careful consideration must be given to the installation and longevity of a screen.
Screens can also be used as sculptural elements and hung on walls, the inclusion of lighting can add to the overall impact of your screen design and can be considered.
Elements such as planters and woven details which allow the introduction of texture and colour add interest to the design of a screen. Utilising combinations of materials can create unique and interesting screens that contribute to the overall design of a space, consider ceramic components, timber inserts, laser etched patterns, rope and powder coated steel details as well as handmade craft details which are made in collaboration with other creatives as important aspects of your design.
The overall size and weight of your screen must be considered and an understanding of how your screen will be installed will add value to your entry.