It’s one of the highlights of the Faculty of Informatics and Design‘s calendar, and a showcase filled with spectacular designs and concepts, tongue-in-cheek innovations and practical, functional fashion. The annual FID Year End Exhibition last week played host to upcoming designers, industry members and hundreds of interested Capetonians on CPUT’s Cape Town campus.

Themed “Come See my Work”, the exhibition saw students from the 15 different design courses, including Architectural Technology, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Film and Video Technology departments, showcasing work completed in 2010, and work that won prestigious prizes or was highly commended in external competitions.

Kaleidoscopic in nature and almost overwhelming in scope, the exhibition was an incredible platform for these future design-leaders to introduce themselves, and their creativity, to Cape Town at large. Here are a few of the highlights.

B tech Graphic Design student, Orli Setton.

Setton is involved in an NGO working with high-school youths in the Western Cape, focusing on leadership and inter-cultural dialogue. “I’d like to use design for social development – and believe we can do more than just design logos or a “pretty something”. In Europe and the US, people use design to change health-care, education systems and politics. As designers we have a strong influential power. If we can convince people to buy things they don’t necessarily need, we can certainly convince them to do the right thing as well – it’s all about seduction!”

3^rd year Graphic design student Sandi Mvandaba says CPUT’s graphic design department is extremely hands-on from first-year. “Lecturers really take care of students, are very good at what they do and groom students to their full potential.”

Sandi Mvandaba

“Nested Light” by Anri Vercuiel of the Surface Design Department.

“The Tree of Knowledge Bookshelf” Megan Aitken (shown above), Surface Design.

“I am a bird” Hammock Nest by Juanne Groenewald.

BTech Fashion Design student Eileen Booysen designed a versatile and sustainable range of bridal wear for men and women. All the garments are simple and flexible enough to re-wear post-wedding as well.

Final year Btech Fashion Design student, Nabeela Moosa. “Autism is in my family and I saw first-hand the difficulties parents are faced with each morning. Getting the children dressed is a struggle and stressful for families. So I decided to design a range specifically for children with autism. This incorporates Velcro and elasticated shoulders, making it easier for kids to dress themselves.”

Springbokkies – The collected designs of 2^nd year Jewellery Design students.

Cacti Rings – Each cactus ring individually designed by 3^rd year Jewellery Design students.

Belt with Skulls. Jewellery Design student, Kyle Berry.

The stunning creation of Kim Nel, overall BTech winner of Top Student award in the Jewellery Design Department.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News

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Design-junkies, budding film-makers, fashion-fundis and multi-media mavens will be joining forces this Tuesday 23rd November at the Cape Town campus of CPUT. In an evening filled with spectacular designs and concepts, the Faculty of Informatics and Design hosts one of the highlights of its calendar - the annual FID Year End Exhibition, themed "Come See my Work".

Students from the 15 design courses will be showcasing work completed in 2010, as well as work that won prestigious prizes or was highly commended in external competitions. Some of these award-winning students include the Fashion Design Department’s Rene Burger, Le Roux Hofmeyer from Interior Design and Geoff Brown from the Industrial Design Department. More than just a showcase of student work, the event also provides for interaction between upcoming designers, industry members and the general public. Some students will choose to sell their work, but if sold, the item will remain on exhibit until the show closes on Saturday 27th November.

The opening night begins with industry speakers addressing the students about career opportunities. This will be followed by an address by FID Dean Johannes Cronje and a video presentation showcasing the top achievers across the Faculty. The exhibition is then open for viewing, with a fashion show scheduled for the evening’s finale. Kicking-off at 6pm on Tuesday the 23rd, this not-to-be-missed exhibition takes place over all 3 floors of the Design Building, part of the Student Center and the Multi-Purpose Hall.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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The Faculty of Informatics and Design has found a new home for the departments of Interior Design, Architectural Technology, and Town and Regional Planning.

These departments, which were previously based on various CPUT campuses, are now housed in the recently opened Foreshore Campus, also known as the Thomas Pattullo Campus.

The official campus opening on 17 November 2008 coincided with the week-long Faculty of Informatics and Design exhibition of students’ work. The opening ceremony itself was preceded by an awards ceremony that acknowledged the sterling works of students within the three departments housed in the Thomas Pattullo Building.

In celebrating the opening and exhibition, guest speaker Malcolm Campbell, President of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession, said the building was historic and appropriate as it previously housed the offices of the Industrial Council for Building. He said its function is aligned with the original function of the building.

Campbell noted that it was unique for three related departments to be put together. “We need to celebrate that,” he said.

Campbell said, “There is no skills shortage in architecture, but people have not been trained adequately or have not upgraded their skills. The challenge of this institution (CPUT) is to play a role.” He said retraining will be easy with the location of this building in the CBD, next to all transport modes.

Prof Johannes Cronjé, Dean of Informatics and Design, commented on the appropriateness of housing the three departments at the same venue. He noted,""Cross-fertilisation is taking place here with students getting interested in what is being done at other floors.""

“We promised students last year that there’ll be an amalgamation and difficulties. In spite of that they are still producing the best work,” he said.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
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This Interior Design student has literally raised the bar and is in line to win a hefty R50 000 prize for her creativity.

Yolandi Kotze, 24, is the only student designer in the finals of a bar design competition for Fine Brandy- a collection of excellent South African brandy products.

She now has to compete against two professional designers for the honour of having her bar made and used at Design Indaba 2014.

Yolandi’s design mimics the swirl of brandy in a glass and is a refreshing take on an ordinary square bar.

The competition was entered by all third year Interior Design students as part of a project brief and Yolandi was initially part of a group of 10 industry and student semi-finalists who had to pitch their designs to judges.

“It was exciting to work alongside professionals who are obviously used to pitching their ideas. I felt like an amateur and didn’t expect to get pass the top 10,” she says.

Senior lecturer Colleen Cocotos says her entire department is extremely proud of her for her achievement regardless of whether she wins the overall competition next year.

“The competition was of an extremely high standard. The results show that our students can compete with active industry practitioners,” she says.

As part of the top three a small prototype of her bar design will be created for display at Design Indaba and apart from the R50 000 prize money she is also in line to win a year supply of fine brandy.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Interior Design student, Kriska Liebenberg, recently won a prestigious competition, which will see her winning chair being manufactured and sold by a renowned Cape Town-based furniture-maker.

Kriska won prize money of R10 000 and will also get a percentage of future sales for her nesting chair, which as the name implies was inspired by a bird’s nest.

Hers was one of two designs submitted by BTech students and entered into the 12 IZITULO Design Challenge by senior lecturer Colleen Cocotos. Safoora Ebrahim, whose entry was among the 12 finalists, was the other CPUT student participating in the competition.

“I am completely ecstatic to have won such an amazing competition, but it took a while for the news to sink in,” says Kriska, adding, “I could hardly believe they had chosen my design, considering how beautiful and innovative the other chair designs were.”

The winner was announced at an event where the finalists' designs were showcased at the Leon on CCXIX showroom in Woodstock. Leon on CCXIC together with St Leger & Viney sponsored the competition.

The competition brief required that entrants design a contemporary armchair, dining chair, occasional chair or bar stool using, among others, fabric, timber, metal or wool. Describing her creative process, Kriska explained that she first decides on a muse, then develops “the initial concept through research and sketches until the original idea transforms into a solid design”.

She’s confident that winning will open doors for her in the future, but for now she’s concentrating on completing her degree, before going out to see other parts of the world and then returning to pursue a career in her chosen field.

View the design concept for a better understanding of her chair here.

Written by Abigail Calata

The 2022 Advanced Diploma in Interior Design class continues to shine and has raked in yet another award – the fifth this year.

Jaime Scholz was recently announced as the winner of the category: “Desk lamps, Floor lamps” in the LIT Lighting Design Awards 2022.

She won this prestigious prize for a floor lamp she designed called KLOK.

Her classmate, Lebogang Raphiri, received an honourable mention in the mood lighting category for the table lamp she designed, called Lesedi. Lesedi, was designed specifically to address users suffering from seasonal affective disorder.

The award is the second Jaime has won this year. She was also recently announced as the winner of the category: Jury’s Favourite in Interior Design – Institutional in the BLT International Built Design Awards.

“I feel honoured to be selected as a winner and I am very grateful to be nominated and motivated to enter these prestigious competitions, by Colleen (Cocotos), our Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, programme coordinator,” said Jaime.

“KLOK is derived from the timeless African sunset. This light clock mimics the sun by supporting the occupants’ circadian rhythm by automatically allowing the colour temperature of the LEDs to adjust to an appropriate day/night setting, in either cool white or warm white. The intention was to innovate a new source of light to merge with a new source of time. KLOK’s timeless design explores a whole new concept, promoting the function of a freestanding clock/ light.”

Senior Lecturer Colleen Cocotos said Jaime’s achievement as winner of the LIT award and Lebogang’s honourable mention for the design of her table lamp, “demonstrates the creativity and innovation of these students in the fields of interior design and lighting product design.”

“The Advanced Diploma in Interior Design class received several wins this year, as they were invested in the enjoyment of the design process. Their goals of achieving improved well-being were met in the outcome of their final products.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A project designed by an Interior Design alumna earned her a place in the finals of the 2022 edition of Prototypes for Humanity, recently held in Dubai.

Bronwen Smith developed the Integrated Sustainability Awareness System, an online platform for collecting information relating to a household's consumption of energy and resources, as part of her fourth-year dissertation project at CPUT.

Prototypes for Humanity (previously called the Dubai Global Graduation Show) is the most diverse assembly of innovations that have the power to change the world, with programmes and activities to raise awareness of global problems, celebrate solutions, and catalyse action for positive social and environmental impact.

Bronwen and senior lecturer Colleen Cocotos recently travelled to Dubai where they attended the exhibition and the final awards announcement by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“I felt truly honoured and excited. It would be wonderful if this Sustainability Awareness System can receive further attention and possibly be developed into a marketable idea that will impact humanity. I have always been motivated to make people aware of how to live a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Bronwen.

Explaining how the platform works, Bronwen said information is collected through a smartphone application, which feeds into an online database.

“The information is analysed to generate understandable statistics that are freely available on the website. Anyone can access the statistics to track the impact of the system and to see how different areas measure up to one another.”

She continued: “Through encouraged regular interaction and a gamified or reward element to the user experience, consumers will learn how to make changes in their daily lives, making informed choices to enable them to have a reduced impact on the planet.”

The proud CPUT graduate, who hails from Plumstead, is completing a Master’s in Interior Architecture – Adaptive Re-use at Hasselt University in Belgium.

Cocotos said “Bronwen’s design was competing against Master’s and PhD submissions, she should be proud of having been selected, as a finalist in such a prestigious competition.”

“I thought that it was a genius idea, and she deserves to get further recognition for the development of the Sustainability Awareness System.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A “showstopping” design by a talented Interior Design student has scooped an award in a prestigious international competition.

Jaime Scholz won the category: Jury’s Favourite in Interior Design – Institutional in the BLT Built Design Awards.

The awards celebrate the best of architecture, interior design and construction worldwide and attract submissions from professionals, emerging designers and students.

Jamie, who hails from Melkbosstrand, said it was a huge honour to see her name and project between those of “such prestigious interior designers and architects’ projects “

“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.”

Referring to her design, she said she was guided by the brief to accommodate a primary care clinic, which focuses on wellness visits, physicals, vaccinations, screenings for illness, and acute illness and injury care for all patients.

“With a strong focus on inclusive design – I ensured specialised kitted examination rooms for paediatric, bariatric, disabled, elderly and the general patient. I focused on being environmentally conscious and reusing or refurbishing the existing walls instead of demolishing and rebuilding unnecessarily.”

She said the spatial design concept needed to maximise usable space “without sacrificing the hallway to promote a spa-like feel, creating a sense of comfort and well-being for all patients.” Most of the furniture and equipment would be sourced from local South African suppliers/manufacturers.

Jaime said she loves the puzzle of practical problem solving through design and this, together with her fascination with how the built environment affects our lives and its surrounding environment, led her to study interior design with the goal to study further in architecture.

Senior lecturer Colleen Cocotos said that when she heard about the competition, she did not want to miss the opportunity of highlighting the best work, which was submitted to the competition and won.

“It was a pleasure working with Jaime because she has an exceptional work ethic, and she is engaged and open to learning and receiving constructive feedback. The entire class reviewed exceptional case studies, which we critically discussed. Jaime had a clear understanding of how to execute her design, as she is a very intuitive designer. I know my guidance assisted the class, yet Jaime’s Clinic was indeed the showstopper.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A thought-provoking installation created by first-year Architectural Technology and Interior Design students has inspired hope and unity while highlighting a range of social issues.

Architectural Technology First-Year Coordinator, Niven Naidoo said many students felt isolated last year because of the coronavirus pandemic and the initial aim was for the installation project to serve as an icebreaker for this year’s cohort.

“The brief wasn’t really formal. We asked them to make an installation that reflects what impacts them the most. I told them: ‘Want your voices to be heard - make a statement, make it loud’. At the same time, it was an opportunity for students to get to know each other and what was impacting their fellow students’ lives.”

Student Courtney Gwynn said the first-years brainstormed a few ideas and talked about what impacts them as students.

“Most of the social issues we came up with did relate to everyone. Eventually, we started seeing all these different issues and how people could address it in their artwork.”

Student Astin Solomons said the installation gave every student a voice.

“We got to communicate with people from various backgrounds. Everyone took their personal experiences and placed it into this installation.”

A range of issues from student funding to gender-based violence, racism, corruption and gangsterism were highlighted and each social issue was reflected in a specific colour in the installation.

“The final result was beyond what I expected. This project was over and above the curriculum work and different groups had to come in on different days and it was quite challenging for first-year students to deal with the logistics,” said Naidoo.

He said another highlight of the project was a video created by student, Moegamat Rafiq Toffar, which encapsulated the essence of the project.

Naidoo said blank spaces on the installation allow for more people to add their voices to it.

Student, Liam Peyper said that through the project he learnt that what brings people together is communication and similarities.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Interior Design students scooped the first, second and third prize in the prestigious Roche Bobois product design competition.

Roche Bobois is a world leader in furniture design and distribution and collaborated with three design schools in South Africa: CPUT, Greenside Design Center and Tshwane University of Technology for the eighth edition of the Roche Bobois Design Awards.

The competition offered an opportunity for students to gain exposure to the professional world and to learn the ins and outs of a product’s design, creation and production.

The students were under the supervision of Senior Lecturer, Colleen Cocotos and were tasked with designing a luminaire.

Valdina Manuel was the first prize winner and earned a R20 000 prize while Cheri-Lee Cloete was placed second and won R15 000.

Cocotos said there were three third-prize winners, one from each institution, and alumnus Johannes Goosen was among them.

The winners also earned the opportunity to have their products prototyped and presented at the international Roche Bobois congresses that select future models to be added to its collection.

They also learn about the communication process to gain international press coverage for their product.

Valdina, who hails from Angola, said she could not believe when she was announced as the winner.

“I wasn’t present at the announcement because it was my sister’s wedding day. I was doing my nails when I was told that I had won and had to turn my camera on. I’m very grateful for everything that I’ve learned.”

Cheri-Lee said participating in the competition was a great experience “which took me out of my comfort zone”.

“’I’m now considering going into furniture design.’

The students thanked Cocotos for her support and helping them to gain industry exposure.

Cocotos said: “It was an honour for our students to design for the Roche Bobois, quality brand. The presentations that they delivered to the group of well-renowned, international, and national judges, were exceptional.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Architectural Technology and Interior Design students used a recent Vertical Projects Showcase to exhibit nine projects.

Vertical Projects incorporates students across years and disciplines into teams which work on real-world architectural problems and solutions.

Dr Hermie Delport, acting Head of the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department, said this was the first time they did the Vertical Project twice in one year: “We use it as an ice-breaker at the beginning of the year. We try to focus the middle of the year Vertical Projects on service learning projects.”

She says in future they will align the middle of the year Vertical Projects with Mandela Day.

The nine groups split into sub-groups to handle specific tasks with many of the projects stemming from real-world concerns brought to the Department’s attention.

One project dubbed the Edushed is to create an outdoor classroom incorporating a food garden for Muizenberg Junior School. The school approached the Department towards the end of the last term. During a studio project, first students submitted ideas and presented them to the school.

The school then chose the project they liked best, with the winning project designed by first-year student Isaac Gordon.

Lecturer Trevor Jacobs said the outdoor classroom will become a reality as it is part of Justin Bonello’s Neighbourhood Farm programme which will finance a pilot project (Muizenberg Junior School is one of 11 schools taking part in the outdoor classroom/farm programme) to the tune of R50 000.

“We used the expertise of the students in the Vertical Projects to do the working drawings and the costing of the winning project. The students worked out the cost to be R75 000.

“Now the next level is that the students must build it. Either they have to cover the missing R25 000 or re-cost the project,” said Jacobs.

Other Vertical Projects showcased included:

• Revamping an educare centre in Khayelitsha
• Designing a braai facility for Darling township (several designs were showcased which will be shown to the Darling municipality with a prototype hopefully built in October)
•  Adding terms to CPUT’s online architecture multi-lingual glossary
• Posters being entered into a Cape Institute for Architecture competition to create a mobile exhibition space
• District Six Remembered project
•  A project to redesign particular CPUT campus spaces frequented by students to create inviting places to just hang out
•  A marketing video for the Architectural Technology course; and
• A well-attended debate on the concept “architects have become careless of the city and its inhabitants”

Written by Theresa Smith
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An outstanding student has scooped top honours in a prestigious international design competition for students.

Jaime Scholz, who entered the competition as an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design student in the Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design, was announced the first prize winner of the Accor Design Awards 2023 during the recent awards ceremony, held in Paris, France.

Jaime said she was incredibly grateful to have been named the winner of the competition.

“Hearing the news felt like a dream turned into reality and I'm deeply honoured to be recognised alongside such talented designers and their incredible projects.
The journey to Paris was an invaluable experience that I can't thank the Accor Team and sponsors enough for making possible. Getting to know the Accor Team, the judges, and the other finalists, as well as their remarkable projects, was an absolute pleasure.”

She said the entire experience had not only been a boost to her personal growth but also a significant steppingstone in her career.

“The sky is the limit and I'm eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to my mentor, Colleen Cocotos, for her unwavering guidance and support. To Colleen, the department, my family, and friends, I'm incredibly thankful for all the support they've provided. For any fellow students who are considering entering similar competitions, I hope my achievement can serve as inspiration for you to take that leap of faith. Success might be closer than you think.”

This year’s theme was: "Imagining Mercure hotels social hub, placing local food and beverage and sustainability at the heart" and Jaime’s entry was titled Mercure Africa Safari Edition.

The win marks the third international award for Jaime. She was among the winners in the renowned International BLT Awards for her Clinic Design and secured another victory in the International LIT Awards.

Head of Department, Rayner Moodley, commended the exceptional achievement, which he said highlighted the dedication and hard work displayed by both the student and staff involved.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.instagram.com/accor_design/
• https://www.instagram.com/accor/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/accor/

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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With Day Zero looming for Capetonions, students in the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department recently came out in their numbers to attend a talk by water warrior, Caron von Zeil.

Von Zeil, who also lectures in the Department, is the founder of non-profit organisation Reclaim Camissa and has located 32 springs, which flow under the Mother City and run into the ocean.

According to the organisation’s Facebook page, it aims to reclaim the central city’s connection to the water, ensuring that the public is able to enjoy the right to this water and that the water remains in good ecological health
“We have to learn how to be respectful to the environment again because we have forgotten that. We assume water comes out of a tap and that milk comes out a box. They don’t. We are all symbiotic in this system and we have to learn to share,” Von Zeil said.

She encouraged the students to be active citizens.
“Be informed and know what you can do to assist the plight,” was her message.
“As you progress through the school know where you can design and how you can do things more ecologically sensitively.”

For more information about the Department click here. 

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A collaborative project in which Architectural Technology staff and students participated is among 30 design projects from around the world that were featured in an exhibition in the United States.

The Design for the Common Good (DCG) International Exhibition opened last month at the Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Center for Visual Art and showcases public interest design projects from six continents and 22 countries.

Dr Rudolf Perold, the senior lecturer of Architectural Technology and Interior Design, said alumnus Clint Abrahams approached him to participate in a live project in Macassar with BTech Architectural Technology students from CPUT.

Abrahams is an architect and lecturer at the School of Architecture, Planning & Geomatics at UCT and founder of the community development organisation Studio Light. In 2020, he was awarded a UCT creative works award for his design-build exhibition ‘Who We Are Macassar'. Other participating institutions included RWTH Aachen University, PBSA Dusseldorf University and Stadio.

“The aims were to involve students in assisting the community of Macassar to create a shared space to gather and to celebrate stories from the community,” said Perold. During 2019 the students and educators worked with members of the Macassar community to design and then build the structure.

In a journal article on the project, the authors state that the township began building an ongoing community engagement project facilitated by a non-profit organisation that sought to uncover sustainable forms of community-institutional exchange. The exhibition runs until March 19.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The hard work and creativity of staff members who contributed to the success of CPUT Open Day 2024 were recognised during a recent event.

Open Day 2024 attracted an estimated 18 000 learners, parents, teachers and members of the public who were given the opportunity to explore the University’s 2025 course offering and to interact directly with staff and students.

Some departments also offered informative tours of their facilities.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department, welcomed the attendees and said the Open Day “was nothing short of brilliant”. He thanked the staff members for their participation.

The winning stalls were also announced and four prizes were awarded as follows:

• Most Informative Stand - Interior Design
• Best Team Spirit - Emergency Medical Care
• Best Faculty Experience - Horticulture
• Best Marketing Concept - Film Production

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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