CURIOUS about the Steve Jobs factor? Ever thought of creating a super hero from a roller skate, breaking apart a toaster to see how it was designed or inventing your own computer game? Imagine no further: these experiences and a host of other innovations that address everyday challenges and how design can changes lives will come to life at Open Design Cape Town 2016, which takes place from from today to August 21 at The City Hall and across the city.
Now in its fourth year, Open Design 2016 is a 12-day citywide festival of talks, exhibitions, workshops, tours, activations and interactive experiences that explore how design links the building blocks of a sustainable, inclusive society: innovation, community and education.
With over 140 mostly free events on the programme, and collaborations with global and local brands, the event brings design and innovation to life. Its key features are Talk100 discussion sessions, which cover topics such as our readiness for the fourth industrial revolution and inspiring a new generation of changemakers to build better communities; an Innovation Summit where a panel of local and international thought leaders will guide discussion on “Creating a City of Opportunity for All”; educational events, such as the Designing Careers High School Programme; and Dine with Khayelitsha, a platform to bridge the gap between the different cultures living in urban centres and township communities.
Open Design creative director Y. Tsai explains: “Design is no longer the exclusive domain of the privileged elite. It touches every part of life, addressing basic human needs in multiple applications across every sector that make up our social fabric. It has been used to transform healthcare, business, transport, urban development, agriculture, education, housing, technology, music, public spaces, communication and technology ‒ among others.
“This approach, called human-centred design, is gaining a global focus for competitive business and socio-economic development.”
The festival takes place in two stages, with events, expos and workshops at The City Hall until August 16 and citywide activations from August 17 to 21.
Key features of events in the City Hall hub include the annual Talk100 sessions, which pose key questions such as – What qualities do we need in future business leaders and social entrepreneurs? What does it take to build a community? Is health the new wealth for our cities? What are the latest tech experiences and how do they impact us? on Thursday.
The Designing Careers High School Programme featuring presentations by top tertiary design schools on design-related study and career options, and activities to enable learners to appreciate the values and impact of design in everyday life.
Viewers can also enjoy The One Stop Design Shop Tertiary design schools exhibition, which runs for the duration of the festival, as well as the Open Dayworkshops and talks on Saturday.
There will be opportunities to test the latest tech crazes, including augmented reality and gaming, virtual reality and 3D scanner demonstrations and experiences, which run throughout the festival.
A 24-hour game jam allows you to witness game development students honing their craft on Saturday and Sunday. The Better Living Challenge exhibition will showcase innovative designs for the improvement of low income housing from Thursday to Tuesday.
Open Design Movie Nights will be screened at the Labia, from which raise thought-provoking issues ranging from the impact of the clothing industry in The True Cost to the African premiere of the first full feature on crowd funding,Capital C presented by Thundafund on Thursday and Saturday).
Citywide events between August 17 and 21 include Dine with Khayelitsha, where township households host local and international guests over conversational dinners that facilitate interaction on themes ranging from social issues to innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainability on August 19.
The Architecture Open Studios, in partnership with Cape Institute for Architecture will facilitate for the general public to have a rare opportunity to view the creative spaces of some of the leading architectural practices in Cape Town.
Design Garage, a showroom space hosted by Cape Peninsula University of Technology supports emerging designers by showcasing and selling their fashion, textiles, graphics, jewellery and other industrial design products.
The initiative sources products from students and alumni of the university’s design programmes on August 17.
The IDEA Lab Experience For All Design Educators is a one-and-a-half day workshop specially designed for DoE and IEB Design educators. The workshop will share the power of design and how to teach critical life skills in the classroom on August 19 and 20.
Open Design is open to everyone, whether they are new to design or already see innovation as critical to designing a better future. While some festival events are ticketed, most events are free to attend. External event hosts can submit their own events on www.opendesignct.com and apply to be included in the 2016 online programme. – Staff Writer’
[Source:- Independent Online]
