Design Futures Lab 2023 for South African & Zimbabwean Content Creators (R60,000 grant)

Applications for the Design Futures Lab 2023 are now open. This creative economy project, supported by
the British Council #SouthernAfricaArts, is now in its second year and in 2023 offers South African and
Zimbabwean content creators an opportunity to develop experiential, provocative and immersive digital
narratives about sustainable fashion and design.

They are looking for six teams (12 artists in total working in creative pairs) – three teams from South
Africa and three from Zimbabwe. Immersive media refers to forms of media such as virtual reality (VR)
and augmented reality (AR) that provides a sense of presence and immersion by allowing a user to enter
and interact with a simulated or augmented environment in a seemingly real way. The 2nd edition of the
Design Futures Lab will take place in Cape Town from 21 – 24 April 2023.

Grant:

Each team will be awarded a grant of R60,000 to develop their digital prototype/proof of
concept.

Eligibility:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Be citizens or permanent residents of South Africa or Zimbabwe.
• Currently live in South Africa or Zimbabwe and able to travel on the days required.
• Submit in pairs, with one concept (two creatives per concept – one team member should be
  a creative technologist or, comfortable exploring new technologies).
• One member should have some form of experience in a creative technology field.
• One member should have experience in fashion and/or design (this includes apparel,
  footwear and accessories)
• Be willing to complete a self-directed African Creative Economy course up to Intermediate
  Level.
• Attend all components of the Design Futures Lab.

Application:

• The application form requires that you:
• Tell them about yourselves (short 1 minute video clip).
• Tell them about your interest in the Lab and what you would like to learn.
• Tell them about XR projects that inspire the concept you will be submitting.
• Tell them about your creative practice/s.
• Tell them about your XR idea — Your idea should express the experiential narratives around
  sustainable fashion practices, as well as how you want to integrate technology. This isn’t an
  in-depth description, just show us how you imagine using the immersive tech.
• Include your initial creative concept materials — this must include links to visual or audio
  references. This could be a mood board, compilation of work that inspires you, etc. They
  want to understand your aesthetic intentions for your XR idea.

Click here to apply