31 January 2012 

The World Design Capital is a global initiative of an international non-governmental organisation, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), whose aim it is to protect and promote the profession of industrial design.

 At the 2011 International Design Alliance (IDA) congress in Taipei it was announced that Cape Town would be the 2014 World Design Capital. Cape Town’s bid was based on creating an inclusive city through design thinking in the city’s urban areas. The bid was formally delivered to the ICSID in March of 2011 with the theme of “Live Design. Transform Life.”

 Getting this award gives artists from the host city a collective goal to better their city through design. One such artist, Zavick, feels that having the World Design Capital in Cape Town could be a catalyst for him to become a leader in his field. Zavick, also a businessman who owns Studio41 in Cape Town, was one of Bandwidth Barn’s VeloCITI Y finalists of 2011 and he has big plans for 2014. “I aim to grow Studio 41 into platform where artists and entrepreneurs can rub shoulders and exchange ideas. My biggest dream would be to grow Studio 41’s Creative Residency Programme.”

 The Creative Residency Programme is a 15-week programme that can be likened to the BWB, where the focus is on incubating artists and designers instead of businesses. Apart from being a savvy business man, Zavick is also a creative artist. His art can be seen at various venues, other than his own Studio41, including the African Fine Art Gallery in Hout Bay, the Ghuba Gallery market place, Marianna Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, the Sweet Orange Guest House group in Sea Point and in the Baia Seafood Restaurant at the V&A Waterfront.

 Studio41 is a premier creative space in Cape Town and has hosted artists like Jacqueline Kneale from Mü & Me, Kate van Pool, as well as fashion designer Wardah Abrahams. A 240 square meter creative space with a single office, Studio41 is also used as the location for network dinners and events where artists and entrepreneurs can come together to discuss and exchange ideas.

 While the World Design Capital has given artists and designers a focus point to work towards to improving Cape Town, Zavick has already begun to think beyond this event. He is planning on expanding the Studio41 brand and opening a second studio in Pretoria and even a third in Shanghai, China. He will not achieve these goals alone as he’s learnt through the VeloCITI Y programme. “Partnerships are important in business. You can’t do everything yourself.”

 Establishing new partnerships are what make Zavick’s network dinners and events so crucial to his studio.  Without the BWB and the VeloCITI Y programme Zavick might have foregone the business side of the studio. “The program has turned my life around. It has helped me to be more focused on the business side of Studio41.”

 With a solid plan to go forward into the World Design Capital and beyond, Zavick looks set to establish himself as a leader in the art and design industry. He certainly sets himself apart through his art and public speaking and has been known to set things on fire. You can see more of his work on his website, http://www.zavick.com/ or at Studio41 (located on the corner of Glynn and Upper Canterbury Streets, Cape Town).