PLASCON PRISM AWARDS

Creatives invited to enter competition aimed to ring in a new decade of South African design.

In 2010, the Plascon Prism Awards shines the searchlight on South African Design Style. The theme Adapt. Evolve marks South Africa’s spirited drive to survive, adjust, re-define and assimilate in a sea of change.

The annual Plascon Prism Awards are renowned for identifying promising design and architectural students. For the first time since its inception 11 years ago, it now widens its search for professionals already working to shape the face of South Africa through creativity, innovation, technology and colour. By opening a new division to the professional market in this milestone year, the awards ring in a new decade of South African design. They also encourage industry growth and champion the advancement of a contemporary South African design vernacular.

Professionals are called upon to submit work completed in the past 24 months - painted with Plascon - and which offer a true representation of adapting and evolving in a style that is distinctly South African. Meanwhile, design students are challenged to find their design cues in South Africa’s ability to adapt and evolve - to the environment and landscape, eclectic cultures, history and future - transforming an existing space or creating an entirely new one in a style that will ignite a contemporary South Africa. Their creative energy will further be fuelled by four powerful themes of Plascon’s 2010 Colour Forecast: Northern Exotica, Southern Spectacle, Western Desert and Eastern Promise.

The Student section is open to final-year interior design, architectural design and industrial design students. The Professional section is open to individuals who have worked in the architectural and industrial design industry and who are registered.

The two categories for entries are Commercial Projects (public spaces, offices, parks, stadia, retail developments and hotels) and Residential Projects (apartment blocks, estates, cluster developments and private homes).

Student winners will be selected by some of the country’s most influential design voices, including trend analyst Dion Chang, architect Mokena Makeka, fashion designer Malcolm Klük and designer Heath Nash. The professional category will be judged by a high-calibre panel of international IFI-representatives (International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers) and local experts. Entries will be evaluated on innovation, design of the space and aesthetics, use of the Plascon 2010 Colour Forecast and overall insight and application of the concept.

Finalists will have their entries displayed at Decorex Joburg, Gallagher Convention Centre, from August 5 to 9. The winners will be announced at an awards presentation ceremony on August 6, thereafter the work will be on display at the Plascon Concept Store.

The overall Professional winner will receive an all-expenses paid five day trip to 100% Design Shanghai, the leading networking platform for contemporary Chinese design products, held in the largest and most cosmopolitan city in China. Both category winners (residential and commercial) will have their winning entry professionally photographed for their portfolio and their work will be featured in the Plascon eBook.

The overall Design Student winner will receive an all-expenses paid five-day trip to 100% Design London. The winning student’s lecturer will also win a trip to 100% Design London. In addition the winning institution receives a R10,000 grant. The category winners will each receive R5,000, while their institution of study will each receive a Plascon Colour Hamper.

The closing date for student entries is May 31 2010 and for professionals it is July 1 2010. For more information on entry details and submission criteria visit www.plasconprismawards.co.za or contact Samantha van den Berg at 082 574 2014, tel 011 782 7748 or sam@tepg.co.za