What is the Western Cape Furniture Design Competition?

• The Western Cape Furniture Design Competition aims to promote design as one of the key tools for a furniture manufacturer to improve its competitive edge and stimulate economic growth, both locally and internationally.

• The competition theme is: LIVE.

• The LIVE theme seeks to inspire a creative take on furniture that forms part of living environments - tables, chairs, couches, beds or other furniture from our living environment, indoor or outdoors.

• The finalists and awards for the Western Cape Furniture Design Competition 2010 will be presented at Decorex Cape Town from 23 to 27 April 2010, at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

• The competition is presented by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in conjunction with the Forestry Industry Education and Training Authority, the Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry of the Western Cape, and the Furniture Technologies Training Centre in Cape Town.

• The Western Cape Furniture Initiative, a non-profit organisation, will develop and promote the furniture industry in the province, drawing on its representative members from government, labour unions, industry, tertiary institutions and other representative organisations.

Products

• Furniture related to LIVING environments - tables, chairs, couches, beds or other furniture from our living environment, indoor or outdoors.
• Any material can be used, including wood, steel, plastic etc.
• The products must be original, new, and ready for production.
• The judges will decide on the five professional finalists’ and five student finalists’ based on the preliminary designs submitted with the entry form.
• The five professional finalists’ and the five student finalists’ will be asked to submit a manufactured product.
• Finalists’ furniture will be displayed at Decorex.

Entry Form:

All entries via email and post must include the following relevant information:

• Entry forms are available on the website
  www.capefurniture.za.org
• Complete the entry form and email to:
  Bernadette@furniture.org.za and,
  Post to:
  Western Cape Furniture Design Competition
  Furniture Industry House, P.O. Box 1123, Woodstock, 7915
  Hand deliver to:
  Western Cape Furniture Design Competition
  Furniture Industry House, 19 Kent Street, Salt River, 7925
• Email and postal entries must be accompanied by:
  • technical scale drawings and 3D drawings of the design
  • description of the design and materials
  • brief overview of the stylistic and aesthetic inspiration
  • signed entry form
  • signed terms and conditions
• Entrants may submit more than one design. Each design must be submitted with a separate entry form.
• If you enter as part of a team or collaboration, it is important that you elect a team leader or contact person and also list all participants on the entry form. Only the names on the entry form will be considered the winners if successful.

Terms & Conditions

• The competition is open to students and professionals residing in the Western Cape.
• Foreign nationals need to be in the possession of a valid resident permit.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older.
• Entrants may submit more than one design. Each design must be submitted with a separate entry form. 
• Entrants must submit an electronic copy in PDF format and hardcopy of the design.
• All scanned entries must be signed.
• Your e-mail and postal entries must be accompanied by:
  • technical scale drawings and 3D drawings of the design
  • description of the design and materials
  • brief overview of the stylistic and aesthetic inspiration
  • signed entry form
  • signed terms and conditions
• Indicate which market sector you are aiming at: Entry, Middle or Exclusive market on the Entry form.
• Participants take part and enter competitions at their own risk and the companies bare no responsibility for any loss, damage or harm suffered as a result of participation.
• Only original and complete entries will be entered into the competition.
• The outcome of the competition is subject to the decision of the judges of the competition whose decision is final and no negotiations and or correspondence will be entered into after the fact.
• The WCFI judges, directors, board members, advertising agents and sponsors employees or their immediate family or any other relation are not allowed to participate in the competition.
• Closing date must be adhered to no extensions will be given.
• The finalists will be notified telephonically and via email.
• The finalists will have six weeks to manufacture an actual product.
• Winners names will be announced on 27 April 2010 at Decorex.
• Finalists will forfeit their participation in the competition if they fail to attend the prize giving at Decorex.
• The Design Stage entries will be judged and scored according to the following criteria: 
  

	- Originality	15 points
	- Durability	10 points
	- Aesthetics	15 points
	- Full working Drawings	20 points
	- Functionality	15 points
	- Commercial viability	25 points*
	Total	100 points
	*(Include brief overview of the stylistic and aesthetic inspiration and description of the design and materials)

• The Design Stage finalists entries will proceed to the Manufacturing Stage and will be judged & scored according to the following criteria:
  

	- Material choice	15 points
	- Quality of construction, durability & finish	20 points
	- Attention to detail	10 points
	- Aesthetics of item as made	20 points
	- Commercial viability	20 points*
	- Functionality	15 points
	Total	100 points
	*(Include a brief report on what were your problems and contingencies)

• Entrants must complete all information as requested above for judging as Zero marks will be given to information not submitted.
• The final manufactured product must reflect the drawing.
• The final manufactured product must be delivered to the FBC House by the 10 April 2010.
• Finalists furniture to be displayed at Decorex from 23 to 27 April 2010.
• Finalists to collect their finished product after the show 27 April 2010.
• The intellectual property belongs to the entrant.
• There will be five student finalists and five professional finalists.
• Finalists to provide their own décor / accessories for the display at Decorex from 23 to 27 April 2010.

The competition is divided
into 2 categories:

An open competition for any individual, group or business in the Western Cape.

Deadlines:

• Entries open 24 August 2009.
• Entries close 19 February 2010.
• Finalists to be announced on 1 March 2010.
• Finalists’ furniture displayed at Decorex from 23 - 27 April 2010.
• Winners announced on 27 April 2010 at Decorex.

Judging

• The judging panel comprises Carol Boyes, Lawrence van der Merwe, Pierre Cronje, Søren Lassen and Ziggy Strohbach.
• The Design Stage entries will be judged and scored according to the following criteria:
  

  Originality	15 points
  Durability	10 points
  Aesthetics	15 points
  Full working Drawings	20 points
  Functionality	15 points
  Commercial viability	25 points
  TOTAL	100 points

• The Design Stage finalists entries will proceed to the Manufacturing Stage and will be judged & scored according to the following criteria:
  

  Material choice	15 points
  Quality of construction, durability & finish	20 points
  Attention to detail	10 points
  Aesthetics of item as made	20 points
  Commercial viability	20 points
  Functionality	15 points
  TOTAL	100 points