Winners at the Design Indaba Expo 2015

Each year Design Indaba seeks to showcase and reward those who have gone above and beyond in the sectors of design. Whether it is by popular vote, an expert panel or peer review, the Expo recognises higher standards of distinction with a series of awards.

The 2015 winners

The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa - The Boomslang: Kirstenbosch's suspended walkway designed by architect Mark Thomas and engineer Henry Fagan, affectionately called the Boomslang, was the public choice from this year's 12 nominations for MBOISA.

The Innovation Award - Watt Scooter by eLabs: Proudly sponsored by Adams & Adams Attorneys, the R50,000 Design Indaba Expo Innovation Award rewards those whose work breaks new ground. This years winner, eLABS, focusses on inner-city mobility and congestion by utilising both electricity and human power to promote short-distance commuting.

The Most Creative Stand Award - Artymiss: The purpose-built stand of Pauline Irvine, founder of Artymiss, was a highlight on the floor this year. She created a lightbox stand to showcase her bespoke laser-cut stationery as individual pieces of art. Each paper cut-out was given its own 'box' as a mini exhibition space and all the boxes were individually lit, casting unique shadows from the displayed cut-outs.

This year, Design Indaba created new trophies for the winners of the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa as well as the Innovation Award. This was a collaboration between designer Katerina Sonntagova and architect-turned-artist Lars Fischedick.