The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is today hosting the annual Furniture Design Competition Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Furniture Design Competition aims to foster innovation and excellence in South African furniture design and propel careers of young designers.

The competition creates a platform for the development of new, competitive furniture products. It targets design students registered at South African institutions.

This year’s competition centres around the theme: “Celebrating the Outdoors’, encouraging contestants to consider ergonomics, functionality, affordability, and sustainability in their design creations.

Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina says this year’s ceremony will mark a decade of recognising and nurturing design talent within the South African furniture sector and that the awards have played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and excellence in furniture design.

‘We are confident and are looking forward to witnessing designs that will not
only be aesthetically pleasing but also commercially viable, contributing to the growth of the industry and the expansion of our export market.

‘This competition not only propels the careers of young designers, but also serves as a launchpad for the development of new products that contribute to the competitiveness of the South African furniture industry,’ she said in a statement on Monday.

Gina said that the South African furniture industry remains an important sector in the economy and is considered to have a huge potential to create jobs and to contribute to increasing exports and the development of small, medium and micro enterprises.

‘The design competition is aimed at contributing to the development of the design skills in the furniture sector and it is used as a creative instrument to promote product differentiation and new development.

‘This competition also aligns with the recently developed Furniture Industry Masterplan, which outlines a strategic roadmap for the growth and development of the in
dustry,’ Gina said.

The ceremony will showcase the work of five design students registered in South African academic institutions and local emerging or established furniture manufacturing companies.

Each finalist responded to the competition’s challenges, focusing on designs that prioritise local materials, repurposed elements, and promote a sustainable approach to outdoor furniture.

The event will culminate in the announcement of the category winners, marking a significant milestone in their design journeys.

Source: South African Government News Agency