Ken Cato to judge Loeries

Chairman of Cato Purnell Partners, the largest design company in the southern hemisphere, Cato's work encompasses all facets of corporate and brand management and design. He has an international reputation as a graphic designer and his work, which has won him numerous international and Australian design awards, is also represented in museums and galleries around the world.

"In securing an international judge of this calibre we can achieve two things," says Gary Harwood, chairperson of think and director of Harwood, Kirsten, Leigh, McCoy. "One - it will showcase the talent and quality of design that emanates from South Africa to an influential international designer, and two - it will provide the best possible adjudication for the design entries as is deserving of entrants into a programme as significant as the Loerie Awards."

Together with Cato, a panel of 24 eminent South African designers, all members of think, will judge both the Design and Promotional Loerie categories. Judging takes place at the end of September in preparation for the award ceremony on Saturday, 15 October. Design will be a particular focus on the first night of the festival and recipients of Design awards will share the stage with winners in the Print categories. Ken will also hold a Design Indaba student workshop in Johannesburg prior to the judging.

Harwood says, "think has worked closely with the new Loerie Awards committee to structure the design categories and create a platform where design is fairly adjudicated and awarded."

He encourages all designers to enter work into this prestigious programme, which closes for entries on Sunday 31 July. For more information about the categories, fees and entry requirements go to www.theloerieawards.co.za.