After a wide spread marketing campaign that included libraries, community centres, tertiary education institutions and regional and national media, prototypes flowed in from all over the country.

Said Carrol Boyes, “I have been delighted by the creativity employed in the interpretation of the brief, and the standard of workmanship. The prototypes exhibit a range of inspiration and methodology that is as unique and inspired as the population of South Africa.” 

The third place winner, 25-year-old Christiaan Van Aardt, was awarded the R15 000 cash prize for his design “bubbly”. This young man, who hails from Stellenbosch, is currently working for a product design company. Taking inspiration from his observation of droplets of water on leaves, Christiaan has created an unusual piece that is simplistic and fresh. “I wanted a design without the closed feeling of the normal bowl - allowing the circulation of air and light around the displayed fruit,” stated Christiaan.

Placed second, Oupa Vusimusi Mokwena has earned himself R25 000. His submission, entitled “The swivel Tsonga”, is both symbolic and imaginative. Citing his knowledge of the traditions of the Tsonga tribe in their use of serving bowls and particular recipes in cooking as his inspiration, he has designed an unusual piece with a twist - two serving bowls conjoined to resemble a peanut. The twist symbolises dance movements and the energy expended by tribal folk in their joyful exhilarations. Oupa Vusimusi is a graduate of the University of South Africa and Technikon Pretoria and a previous Metal 2007 finalist. He is currently running his own company “Which Craft – design art and lifestyle” and consults as product and interior design developer.

The winning designer, who has earned himself R50 000, is Martin Doller, a 27-year-old freelance industrial designer from the Western Cape. Martin is particularly talented in concept development and visualization with a strong knowledge of prototype disciplines. He is a graduate of Cape Peninsula University of Technology who also enjoyed a year’s stint as part-time industrial design lecturer in 2007. His winning piece, called “Ga-mi”, was based on the aesthetics of origami, the functionality of the product (angular in design, but with no sharp edges, and vertical slits to allow for air circulation thus preventing bruising of the fruit) and his knowledge of technology.

“It is an innovative yet functional piece of work that allows for ease of manufacturing”, says Boyes. “I would like to thank all the designers who entered this year and look forward to seeing their submissions for next year’s New Designer Search,” stated Boyes.

The new theme will be announced on 1st January 2010. Visit http://metal.carrolboyes.co.za/ for further information or read more about Carrol Boyes here.