Woolworths makes the difference

The MTDTD entry, along with 71 design finalists from around the globe, representing 18 countries and spanning six global regions, will be on public view at the Index: Award Exhibition in Copenhagen before the category winners are announced on 28 August. The exhibition will then tour to other parts of Denmark before embarking on a global tour that concludes in 2011.

According to Pieter Twine, Woolworths GM: Making the Difference Educational Programmes, Index: does not categorise design according to traditional labels, such as communication, industrial, interior and fashion design, but rather focuses on reflecting the impact and interdisciplinary approach employed by most leading designers and design thinkers. “Index: rather categorises and evaluates nominations according to aspects that impact on human life such as body, home, work, play and community,” says Twine.

Nominated in community category

The Woolworths MTDTD programme has been nominated to receive an award in the community category as it is the first and only programme of its kind to focus on design development at grass-roots (grades 10 - 12, high school/secondary phase) and pre-tertiary levels. The strategy for the programme was firmly developed around the belief that design education at grass-roots level will not only develop designers for the future, but could also develop design-literate citizens, discerning consumers of good design, and top-quality entrepreneurs and creators of products, services, systems, processes and environments.

“This form of early development is believed to be critical and much needed to develop a future quality workforce that can greatly contribute to the future development of a country like South Africa in many areas,” said Twine. “In short, all competitive businesses require creative thinkers.”

Piloted in 2006

The MTDTD programme, which was piloted in 121 schools in the Western Cape in January 2006, comprises a 600-page design resource manual, which serves as a teaching tool to support educators to teach design on a daily basis. Other aspects include an annual National Design Competition, as well as exposure and opportunities for participating learners in the professional and corporate arenas.

Penny Luthi, brand manager: Making the Difference through Design programme, has worked with many of South Africa's leading designers and creative bodies in implementing the programme with the support of the Western Cape Department of Education and sponsors, Design Indaba and Sappi. Now in its fourth year, the initiative is currently supporting the design curriculum at more than 400 schools in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

“Design is a core focus for Woolworths, and the MTDTD programme not only assists educators in helping learners to express their own creativity, but also creates a platform for learners to appreciate creativity in whatever form,” said Luthi. “The MTDTD programme also aims to emphasise that design is all-inclusive to all learners, no matter what their cognitive or practical abilities.”

The Woolworths MTDTD programme is one of five South African finalists. Other finalists from South Africa include the Ariva Paraffin Stove, The Freeplay Foetal Heart Monitor, the Design Indaba 10x10 low-cost housing project and the Lodox Statscan VE1.