The Caesarstone Student Designer of 2018

In its 11th year, the Caesarstone Student Designer of 2018 was recently announced at a glamorous banquet dinner in Cape Town. From Tshwane University, Dean Smuts and her lecturer Victor Mukaba have walked away with an all expenses paid trip to the international design fair of their choice.

In the judges’ words, this was an outright winner and very well deserved. Every part of Dean’s designs was derived from the function it was delivering and had a phenomenal resolution to the brief. They will both be making their way to the international design fair of their choice, to open new doors of creativity and opportunity.

Dean Smuts and her lecturer Victor Mokaba, from Tshwane University.

A cash prize of R15 000 was awarded to first runner-up, Ruby Fisch from Design Time School of Interior Design for her project that had the ability to deal with transformation at a wide level and greater community scale. Her lecturer was renowned mentor Anel Joubert, who facilitated the winning student of 2017 and enjoyed a trip to the Milan Design Week this year as the prize.

Ruby Fisch from Design Time School of Interior Design

Second runner-up position was awarded to Nicole Anderson from BHC Design School, who received a R5 000 cash prize. This entry was selected by the judges due to the forward-thinking approach to transformation that challenged the brief as well as design norms. Her lecturer was Marga de Vos who also had students in the finalist selection last year.

Nicole Anderson from BHC Design School

This year, the judges agreed that the competition has welcomed in the best and most dynamic design entries since its inception. The brief this year was compiled by Architect Jonathan Anstey and was set around the theme of transformation. Students were encouraged to design a structure that could transform its function from one physical state to another, and highlighted the necessity of being resilient and innovative in our current environment.

“It is so encouraging to see this initiative grow and fulfill the purpose it was designed for, which is to contribute to the development of design excellence in our country. For us at Caesarstone, good design is paramount – it solves problems, addresses inadequacies, provides solutions and creates harmonious beauty in the world humans live in. We are proud to be playing a small part in the creative melting pot of great design in South Africa.”  – Trevor King, Marketing Director of Caesarstone.

For more visit Caesarstone Designer Comp.