Design Indaba 2015: what not to miss

Twenty-eight-year-old Megan Wolstenholme probably holds one of the most sought-after gigs in the PR world. The American-born Cape Town resident, who has a journalism degree from Rhodes University, is the PR, marketing and communications manager at Design Indaba. The annual festival, conference and event showcase, which has been running since 1995, attracts some of the brightest minds, talents, exhibitors and guests from all over the world. And Wolstenholme is responsible for the marketing strategy, digital campaigns, securing media partnerships, as well as managing press coverage and relationships with their creative agency, the Jupiter Drawing Room.

What’s the toughest part of your job? The month leading up to the festival is intense. Often we work 18-hour days. I get around 400 emails per day (and my inbox isn’t even the worst in the office), and have two phones in my ears for the majority of the time. It’s completely worth it, but it does take a toll on my sanity.

And the best? Every day is different. I have never once come to work knowing what to expect from that day. It keeps me on my toes and I love it.

With a demanding schedule, Wolstenholme says she tries to attend at least two or three talks, but it depends on how busy the media lounge is. “I do, however, get to mingle with the speakers at certain events, which is phenomenal. On Sunday, I spend the entire day on the Expo floor, checking out all the exhibitors, watching fashion shows, seeing the exhibitions my colleagues have put together and just taking in the incredible vibe of the Expo floor.”

What are you looking forward to at Design Indaba this year?

As a huge fan of illustration I’m looking forward to the Paper Planes exhibition at the Expo. Some of SA’s best illustrators have focused on a theme from our country’s mythology and folklore and created their interpretation of it.

I would also love to see Stripped: The Comics Documentary, which is part of Design Indaba FilmFest 2015. I grew up loving Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Dilbert, and The Far Side. The film looks at the evolution of the comic strip and what lies ahead for them, with the collapse of print media.

Design Indaba Music is going to be unbelievable this year. We have two international headliners for our event at The Side Show, Nástio Mosquito and anifest. We also have a massive surprise in store for the crowd there. The artists are so varied, and offer incredible visual performances in conjunction with their unique sounds.

The Events Arena at the Expo has so many fantastic things. I enjoy watching all the fashion shows, and this year some of the Conference speakers will also be presenting on the Expo floor.

The Africa Is Now exhibition: our team has assembled five collectives from across Africa who will showcase a snapshot of the creative work being produced in their countries. We really need to start encouraging more collaboration between the creatives in our country and those north of our borders.

Design Indaba 2015 takes place from 25 February – 1 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Visit designindaba.com for more information.

Words by Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine
Images – Design Indaba