Talk 3: Grounded Practice and Global Reach: Embracing Local Knowledge and Ecological Responsibility through Design

Designers around the world are gaining recognition not by chasing trends but by grounding their work in local traditions, cultural context, and earth-based practices. Rooted in heritage and shaped by contemporary realities, today’s design landscape is defined by new approaches to aesthetics, innovation, and sustainability.

This talk explores how designers across the globe are shaping a dynamic and pluralistic design language - one that is deeply connected to place yet globally resonant. By reinterpreting traditional techniques and embracing collaborative, material-conscious processes, these creatives are not only contributing to the global design dialogue - they’re actively redefining its future.

Speakers

Bielle Bellingham (Brand + Business Director, Chommies, SA) - Moderator

Francesca Lanzavecchia (Creative Director and Co-Founder, Lanzavecchia + Wai)

Frances van Hasselt (Founder, Frances VH Mohair)

Star Shongwe (Marketing Manager, V&A Waterfront)

Atang Tshikare (Artist)