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AT THE GALLERY
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe presents a design exposition and exhibition that aims to indulge the public in the most creative work available for their admiration. Zimbabwe In Design will showcase all the best architecture, jewelry, products, fashion, fabrics and graphics in one place. There will also be a session of the Harare Conversations to discuss how best the design scene in Zimbabwe needs to be re-examined and the Design show will be the most suitable platform to brainstorm how to develop design.

For expansion on the meaning of the word design it would be necessary to state the bases of the word. The word comes from the Latin “designare” which means to “mark out”. The usage of the word itself can be explained through three examples, the first being the precedent process of formulating a plan or idea and creating a sketch or a plan that culminates in a final product.

In this light a design serves as a blueprint. The second identifier of design is more relative to the beauty of an object and it is realized by the skilful and fashionable execution of an object in order to create something that is pleasing to the senses. The last is based upon intently constructing an object or a place for a definitive purpose; this aspect of design is based greatly on utility and is part of everyday life due to being “marked out” and noticeable so as to serve its purpose.

Zimbabwe In Design will deal with the former, the marking out property of design as everyone interacts with it daily; the house that you live in, the clothes that you wear, the car you drive and all the utensils you use are results of design in its conceptual and constructive elements. Whilst continuing the selection of innovative and ingenious practitioners of design the focus of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe aspires to project Zimbabwe as a brand that produces marketable designs which carry a bearing of quality on global markets.

In previous years the National Gallery of Zimbabwe has staged exhibitions that had design orientation although they were focused on particular disciplines. In the year 2001 there was an exhibition entitled

Filling the Gap which was exhibiting furniture and closer to the present Basket Case focused on weaving and basketry. Both shows had a great public response despite being design exhibitions in an art Gallery. Zimbabwe In Design now takes the different facets of design in order to bring to effect cross-pollination of imagery, function and practicality between designers and their wider audience that includes the public, manufacturing industry, the corporate world, the public sector, tertiary institutions and the groups responsible for branding the nation. All parties are thus urged to come forward and participate in this defining event that works towards giving Zimbabwe a design identity.

The impact of design on society is a matter of great importance as through the efforts of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design there is a designation of World Design Capital. Cities designated with this year-long accolade are determined by criteria such as having an innovative energy that is translated through infrastructure and culture that is intertwined with the display of heritage, diversity and creative talent.

A Design Capital must be Cosmopolitan in its existence with several aspects of design being picked up from its facilities and produce.
Currently Cape Town carries this acclamation and as the gateway to Africa it displays all of the above mentioned criteria.

With such a positive feat as becoming a world class design city, it is possible for more African cities to follow suit and embrace design as a way of life.

In order to identify Zimbabwe’s position on the global Design scene, Zimbabwe In Design spoke to leading designer, Mike Danes to fully gauge the visibility of design to the public and international markets.

“At most there is nothing which can be identified as Brand Zimbabwe however there is a subscribed group called Buy Zimbabwe which works towards that end” he said.

“In line with Zimbabwe having identifiers as a brand I think the main brand insignia must be the Zimbabwe Bird.”
Upon being asked whether good design can bolster the economy Danes responded in the affirmative.

“Completely, in 2008 about 85 percent of local supermarkets carried foreign merchandise with 15 percent of the products being local. After recapitalisation there was a 10 percent increase that culminated in increased consumption of locally produced products.

“The rand dipped and there was a greater preference for the US dollar in countries north of South Africa thus making goods affordable
“Consumers purchase products solely based on design, for example locally produced irons are rudimentary but can last longer when compared to imported irons that have design appeal coupled with multiple functions.

“However the consumer will opt for the more ostentatious product regardless of the brevity of its function so what arises here is the dynamics of a production led economy as in the Zimbabwean case against a design led economy externally.

“People will prefer a product that is gaudy as opposed to having guaranteed functionality. It is all about beauty versus utility with local consumers.

“In this matchup, beauty comes out on top, take the consumption in smartphones as a second example. Design creates aspiration driven consumption that even a 15-year-old-boy in Checheche would want a “smartphone” rather than to get a “brick”phone.
Design creates status and thus generates increased purchase and thus will positively develop the economy.”

Zimbabwe In Design opens on April 24 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and is co-curated by Doreen Sibanda and Tandazani Dhlakama.