Creative Cape Town

The Cape Town Design Network (CTDN2010) is a monthly gathering hosted by Creative Cape Town during 2010.

It was formed in response to the fact there is a gap in networks around the broad design sector. This has implications for growing a strategic engagement with local government – connecting design to economic strategies, as well as sharing, learning and networking across disciplines.

The establishment of this forum is an important legacy aspect of the World Design Capital Bid 2014. Unlike the other creative clusters, this one gives 40 minutes to the speaker/speaker team to talk about their design practice and philosophy.

The first CTDN2010 was held at the City Hall in March during the Spier Contemporary. Speakers were Cape Town’s top industrial design company …XYZ Design as well as Roelf Mulder, Byron Qually and Richard Perez, who spoke about their practice and some of the many award- winning products such as the Snuza Baby monitor, the Condom Applicator and the Wind Up Radio FPR2. The event was preceded by a walkabout of the Woodstock Industrial Centre where a partnership between the property owner/manager and a creative agency – Word of Art – has resulted in a rough industrial space that is truly inspiring in its conception and execution.

The energy is raw and creative. Unlike other better known and slick developments in the area, it speaks to the neighborhood concerns, is keenly aware and inspired by its surroundings and tries to talk to, rather than turn its back to the area. Don’t expect The Biscuit Mill here: this venue attempts to provide a human environment for its mix of tenants which includes 30 Media/design/art agencies like top designers Faith47, Senyol and Darkie. There are also food producers and CMTs as well as other sorts of companies in the space as well as some great spaces to have a bite.

See the video or podcast for more information on the first event by Design Indaba.