CARROL BOYES DESIGNER SEARCH

METAL is an annual New Designer Search pioneered by Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd. Every year, Carrol Boyes, arguably one of South Africa's most commercially successful product designers, invites aspiring designers to submit a three-dimensional prototype based on a particular theme.

METAL 2011 invites aspirant designers to submit a prototype based on a specific theme, inspired by originality and innovation. The theme for 2011, SERVIETTE HOLDER – mess around, should inspire designers to create a fresh, functional and original prototype of a serviette holder.

“Dining and entertaining plays a significant role in people’s lives, whether it be formal ceremonial or celebratory occasions or impromptu, informal gatherings and serviettes are always needed. Display them in an unusual and beautifully designed serviette holder and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary!” says Carrol Boyes, explaining her choice of theme. “I encourage designers to ‘mess around’ with creative ideas, draw on their own unique inspiration and create a serviette holder that is innovative, fresh and functional”.

Entries open on March 1 and close on June 30, 2011. Entrants need not have any particular design experience or qualification to enter METAL. They simply have to design a beautiful, innovative and functional product and create a three-dimensional prototype of their design, submit it along with a completed entry form, a copy of their ID and a one page CV to Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd.

In order to maximize their chances of winning, designers are encouraged to produce work that can be viably manufactured in aluminium, stainless steel or pewter (the metals mostly used by Carrol Boyes Functional Art). Prototypes can, however, be designed using any material that is available to the artist, ranging from wood, to ceramics, to plastic or even wire. In terms of design, Carrol Boyes is looking for fresh and original design talent that is not derivative in any way of her own design style.

Over the past six years, more than 1,000 designers across the country have entered METAL, vying for the first prize of R50,000 and the possibility of working with the Carrol Boyes (Pty) Ltd. design and manufacturing team in the production of their winning prototype. With METAL becoming an institution in the design industry, SERVIETTE HOLDER – mess around, is sure to elicit a range of inspiring and innovative responses from South Africa’s prospective design fraternity.

Entry forms for METAL 2011 may be downloaded from http://metal.carrolboyes.co.za

To have an Entry Form e-mailed or faxed to you, contact metal @cbfa.co.za or 021 4248 263 or fax 021 4248 265.