What if design could help solve one of rural Africa’s everyday challenges? Multidisciplinary designer Ackeem Ngwenya developed an innovative transforming wheel designed to adapt to different terrains — from rough, uneven ground to muddy and sandy surfaces. Growing up in a remote village in Malawi, Ngwenya witnessed the challenges people face when transporting water and crops without adequate roads or transport infrastructure. His project which he presented as part of the @designindaba Global Graduate program asks a powerful question: instead of waiting for better roads, what if we designed something that could work without them? His approach puts people at the centre of design, using creativity and engineering to address real-world problems. Discover the thinking behind this inspiring example of African design innovation from the Design Indaba Conference archive. 🎥 Watch the full talk and many more — visit the @designindaba YouTube channel #AckeemNgwenya #DesignIndaba #SocialImpactDesign #AfricanInnovation #IndustrialDesign #DesignThinking #ProductDesign #DesignForGood #GlobalDesignGraduates #Malawi

Are We Losing Our Connection to Nature? | Sculptor Stanislaw Trzebinski @Trzebinski_art What happens when humanity loses touch with nature? 🌊 South African sculptor @Trzebinski_art explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world through extraordinary sculptures inspired by coral, organic textures, anatomy and the origins of life. From discovering bronze casting as a teenager to creating intricate sculptures that challenge how we see ourselves in relation to nature, Trzebinski's work invites us to reconnect with our roots. His message is especially relevant in a world where screens increasingly compete with the outdoors for our attention. 🎨 Can art help us rediscover our connection to nature? 🎥 To watch this inspiring conversation with @Trzebinski_art — visit the @designindaba YouTube channel #StanislawTrzebinski #DesignIndaba #ContemporarySculpture #SouthAfricanArt #SculptureArt #BronzeSculpture #NatureInspiredArt #ContemporaryArt #ArtAndNature #CreativeInspiration #AfricanArtists #ArtStudents #SculptureArtist #ArtAndDesign #ReconnectWithNature

Legendary graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister @SSagmiester has a different kind of advice for young designers: stop obsessing over finding your style and start experimenting. From pushing creative boundaries to exploring new disciplines, Sagmeister explains why trying new things is essential to becoming a better designer. In this classic interview with @designindaba, the Austrian-born, New York-based designer reflects on more than 30 years in the creative industry, the freedom to move between disciplines, his approach to self-initiated projects, and the connection between design and happiness. His message to emerging creatives? Experiment while you can. Your creative voice will follow. What’s one creative risk you’ve always wanted to take? To watch the full interview, visit @designindaba YouTube channel #StefanSagmeister #DesignIndaba #GraphicDesign #DesignInspiration #CreativeProcess #DesignThinking #DesignAdvice #EmergingDesigners #CreativeFreedom #DesignInterview

Can fashion transform the way we experience urban spaces? 🌆 In her @designindaba talk, Global Graduate, Shoko Tamura of Keio University’s Digital Media Laboratory explores the future of wearable technology through Urban Play — a speculative design project reimagining the relationship between fashion, technology and urban space. From interactive garments to new forms of social interaction, this project asks us to rethink what clothing can do, how we move through cities, and how technology can become part of personal expression. The future of fashion isn't just something we wear. It's something we experience. 🎥 Watch Shoko Tamura explore the possibilities of wearable technology and speculative design. 🎥 Watch the full talk — visit the @designindaba YouTube channel #DesignIndaba #WearableTechnology #SpeculativeDesign #FutureOfFashion #FashionInnovation #UrbanDesign #DesignFutures #InteractiveFashion #DigitalDesign #Innovation

Can architecture help transform Africa's future? “I come from a country where there was no school of architecture until 2008.” Rwandan architect Christian Benimana @CBenimana shares a powerful vision for the future of African architecture — one where design goes beyond buildings to improve lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities. From transforming healthcare through better hospital design to building with locally sourced volcanic stone, training local craftspeople and preparing African cities for rapid population growth, his work demonstrates what happens when architecture is designed around people. Through the African Design Centre in Kigali, Benimana champions a new generation of African architects equipped to tackle the continent’s most urgent challenges. His message is clear: who builds, how we build and who we build for matters. Can architecture help shape a better future for Africa? Share your thoughts. 🎥 From the Design Indaba Conference archive. 🎥 Visit the @designindaba YouTube channel to watch the full talk #Rwanda #ChristianBenimana #DesignIndaba #AfricanArchitecture #Architecture #AfricanDesign #SustainableArchitecture #SocialImpactDesign #UrbanPlanning #HealthcareDesign #FutureOfAfrica #DesignForGood #ArchitectureLovers #AfricanCities #CreativeLeadership

What if the future of design begins by questioning the things we take for granted? 👀 At the Design Indaba Conference, Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi of @formafantasma challenge the conventional idea of what design should be. From experimenting with natural materials and rethinking plastic to exploring volcanic lava, traditional craftsmanship and the hidden histories of everyday objects, their work goes beyond aesthetics. For @formafantasma, design is about research, collaboration and understanding the entire process behind what we create. Because good design isn't just about how something looks. It's also about where it comes from, how it's made and the impact it leaves on the world. Their challenge to designers? Never stop asking WHY. 🎥 From the @designindaba Conference archive. What should designers be questioning more today: materials, manufacturing or consumer culture? Tell us in the comments. #Formafantasma #DesignIndaba #SustainableDesign #MaterialResearch #IndustrialDesign #DesignThinking #CircularDesign #ExperimentalDesign #DesignInnovation #DesignInspiration

What happens when you use photography to confront your own identity? In this powerful Design Indaba talk, photographer and artist @JoyMckinneyNYC discusses First Glance, a photography project she began during her first year at @SDSParsons after moving from Montgomery, Alabama, to New York City. The project explored her complicated relationship with Black identity, female identity, self-esteem and perception — and how people see her. Joy eventually took her camera onto the streets of New York, interacting with more than 115 strangers and pushing herself beyond her comfort zone. Her story is especially relevant for photography students, design students, filmmakers, visual artists and young creatives trying to find their own voice. Her message is simple but powerful: “Step out of your comfort zone.” Photography isn't just about capturing an image. Sometimes, it's about capturing a moment, a feeling and a question that words cannot express. 🎥 @designindaba Global Graduates 📸 @JoyMckinneyNYC #JoyMcKinney #Photography #BlackCreatives #BlackArtists #BlackIdentity #StreetPhotography #WomenInPhotography #DesignIndaba

What happens when architects stop waiting for cities to change—and start designing the change themselves? In this classic @designindaba talk, Ivorian architect Issa Diabaté shared his vision for architecture and urban development in West Africa, examining the rapid growth of Abidjan and the challenges created by outdated urban planning. From sustainable housing and community spaces to climate-responsive architecture, public parks and new approaches to urban development, Diabaté argues that architects have a responsibility to actively shape the cities of tomorrow. His message is as relevant today as ever: “Let us design the future of urban Africa.” Watch the full talk on our YouTube for a powerful look at architecture, sustainability and the future of African cities. #IssaDiabate #Architecture #AfricanArchitecture #DesignIndaba #UrbanDesign #Abidjan #AfricanCities #UrbanPlanning #SustainableArchitecture #WestAfrica

Michael Wolff: “I Mistrust My Experience” — The Design Thinking Lesson That Changes Everything What happens when a legendary designer stops trusting experience and starts questioning everything? Michael Wolff, renowned British graphic designer and brand consultant, challenges the way designers think about creativity, curiosity and problem-solving in this powerful series of excerpts from his @designindaba Conference talk. From his provocative claim that “a lot of designers are pretty close to criminals in terms of their creativity” to his argument that curiosity is a muscle, Wolff explores what happens when we stop accepting the obvious and start asking better questions. Why does it take decades for simple innovations to happen? Why can't many wheelchair users independently use an ATM? And what happens when inclusive design becomes mainstream design? Wolff's answer is simple: question everything, design for real human conditions, and create things that didn't exist before. A masterclass in creativity, design thinking, curiosity and inclusive design. Watch. Question. Rethink. Create. Visit the @designindaba YouTube channel to watch this masterclass and many more.

Can animation challenge the way African people have been represented in film and photography? In this powerful excerpt from her @designindaba talk, Kenyan documentary animator @NgendoMukii examines the relationship between ethnographic filmmaking, taxidermy, colonial representation and African identity. Mukii argues that traditional “natural” or photographic representations of Indigenous people can reinforce the idea that they belong to a disappearing past. She proposes animation as an alternative — a medium capable of exploring human emotion, identity and lived experience without being tied to a single absolute truth. She also discusses her animated film Yellow Fever and how Western ideals of beauty can become internalised, affecting how African women see their own bodies and skin. A thought-provoking perspective for animation students, filmmakers, designers, artists and anyone interested in African visual culture and representation. 🎬 From the Design Indaba archive. #NgendoMukii #Animation #DesignIndaba #AfricanAnimation #VisualCulture

Larry Harvey on what Burning Man really is. 🔥 In this powerful 2015 @designindaba talk, the late Larry Harvey — founder of Burning Man — describes Burning Man not simply as an event, but as a community and gathering of extraordinary creative people. From the origins of the Burning Man sculpture on San Francisco’s Baker Beach to the creation of Black Rock City, Harvey explores the ideas that shaped the Burning Man experience: radical participation, gifting, art, community, collaboration and creating your own experience. He explains how Burning Man transformed from a small gathering into a city built around immersive art, human connection and participation — where artworks aren't simply observed, but activated by the people who encounter them. And for the Cape Town connection: Harvey also talks about visiting AfricaBurn and the growing network of Burner communities around the world. For Burning Man veterans, first-time Burners, festival lovers and anyone fascinated by large-scale art and alternative culture, this is a remarkable glimpse into the philosophy behind Black Rock City. 🎥 Larry Harvey at Design Indaba, 2015. Visit the @designindaba YouTube channel to watch this talk and many more. #BurningMan #LarryHarvey #BlackRockCity #Burner #Burners #BurningManArt #BurningManCommunity #FestivalCulture #FestivalArt #ImmersiveArt #InstallationArt #PublicArt #ArtCommunity #AfricaBurn #DesignIndaba #CreativeCommunity #RadicalParticipation #Gifting #ArtistCommunity #MusicFestival

50 YEARS OF VIGNELLI: WHAT MAKES GREAT DESIGN? The late legendary designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli built a legendary body of work around a deceptively simple idea: good design should be clear, intelligent, useful and timeless. In this @designindaba archive talk, the Vignellis share the thinking behind some of their most influential work — and some uncompromising advice for designers: → What actually makes design “good”? → Why timeless design matters more than trends → Why designers should choose clients who are willing to take risks → Why the Vignellis called their clients “patients” → How they approached the design of the New York subway system → Why understanding how people actually use something is essential to good design Their philosophy was never simply about making things look beautiful. It was about solving problems, organising information and designing for real human needs. And there’s an important South African connection. Their appearance at the @designindaba Conference helped spark a connection with Design Indaba’s longest-standing sponsor, @WOOLWORTHS_SA . Massimo together with Beatriz Cifuentes-Caballero, later worked on Woolworths’ corporate identity and brand refresh, with Massimo shaping the foundational visual identity, corporate ID and typography. With @WOOLWORTHS_SA being @designindaba’s longest-standing sponsor, this collaboration is a remarkable example of how a creative connection can grow from the @designindaba platform into a lasting design partnership. Swipe through the clips and hear the Vignellis share their design philosophy in their own words. To watch this full talk visit the @designindaba YouTube channel #MassimoVignelli #LellaVignelli #Vignelli #DesignIndaba #DesignIndabaConference #GraphicDesign #DesignThinking #DesignPhilosophy #TimelessDesign #DesignHistory #Typography #Wayfinding #NYCSubway #NewYorkSubway #BrandIdentity #CorporateIdentity #DesignLeadership #HumanCenteredDesign #Woolworths #WoolworthsSouthAfrica #Designers

“I’m not the designer. I’m actually a design.” — Bra Hugh Masekela 🇿🇦 On this Heritage Day, we remember the legendary South African trumpeter, composer, cultural icon and long time friend of @designindaba Bra Hugh Masekela. At his final appearance at the Design Indaba Conference in 2016, two years before his passing, Bra Hugh reflected on the people who shaped and “designed” him — beginning with his parents and extending to the remarkable influence of Father Trevor Huddleston. “I’m not the designer. I’m actually a design.” These few words offer a powerful glimpse into Bra Hugh’s understanding of identity, influence and the people who shape us. From his music to his activism and his enduring contribution to South African culture, Bra Hugh’s legacy remains part of the heritage of the country. Today, on Heritage Day, we celebrate Bra Hugh Masekela and the generations of South Africans whose creativity, music and stories continue to shape who we are. 🎺🇿🇦 Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full perfomance and many more #HeritageDay #HughMasekela #SouthAfricanHeritage #DesignIndaba #SouthAfricanJazz #Mzansi

Who Really Makes Your Smartphone? We think of high-tech products as being made by machines. But how many people actually make the technology we use every day? Designer Isabel Mager investigates the hidden human labour behind smartphones, tablets and laptops, questioning the contrast between Apple's sleek, highly automated image and the thousands of human tasks involved in assembling high-tech devices. Her research reveals a striking question: what is the true value of human labour in the production of technology? From deconstructing a laptop to calculating the labour involved in assembling high-tech products, Mager challenges us to look beyond the polished surface of our devices. 💡 Design. Technology. Labour. Ethics. 🎥 @designindaba Global Design Graduates 🎥 Visit the @designindaba YouTube channel to watch the full talk #DesignIndaba #IsabelMager #Technology #DesignEthics #Manufacturing #HumanLabor #Apple

Data is more than just numbers. @ekeneijeoma uses design, code, photography and data visualisation to explore refugee migration, inequality, diversity and how technology shapes the way we interact with cities. His work asks us to see data as something visceral, poetic and human — and to use design to create empathy, not simply information. From visualising global refugee migration to mapping inequality in New York City and creating technology that encourages people to look up from their phones, his work turns complex social issues into experiences people can actually engage with. @ekeneijeoma asks us to rethink the role of technology and design: not just to serve consumers and markets, but to educate and connect citizens. Watch the full talk from the @designindaba Conference and discover how data can become something more than numbers — it can become visual, experiential and human. 🎥 To watch the full talk — visit the @designindaba YouTube channel #EkeneIjeoma #DesignIndaba #DataVisualization #DataVisualisation #DataArt #DataStorytelling #SocialImpactDesign #DesignAndTechnology #CreativeTechnology #InteractionDesign #InformationDesign #DesignForChange #DesignForSocialChange #CivicDesign #Empathy #GenerativeDesign #DataDrivenDesign #DesignThinking

What happens when a creative pitch becomes more than just presenting the work? Before Nick Finney and Alan Dye of @NBStudio took the stage at the @designindaba Conference, audiences were treated to The Anatomy of a Pitch — a play specifically adapted as part of the @designindaba talk. The turned the creative pitch into a hilarious, uncomfortable and surprisingly revealing piece of theatre. The Anatomy of a Pitch play explores ego, confidence, insecurity, client relationships, creative feedback and the pressure to sell an idea. Alan and Nick then unpacked the realities behind the performance — from questioning the brief and finding "creative courage" to understanding your audience and putting yourself into the work. For designers, art directors, copywriters, strategists and advertising students, this is a masterclass in what happens between the brief and the final idea. What makes a great pitch: the idea, the presentation — or the person behind it? 🎥To watch both the play and the full talk visit the @designindaba YouTube channel