Architect Y. Tsai runs a multidisciplinary practice working in product design, furniture, interior design and architecture.
Graduated from the University of Cape Town (Architecture Department), Tsai has used his eastern upbringing to build a successful body of work that has already earned him a number of accolades and awards (including the prestigious International Red Dot Award and the local Topbilling Momentum Lifestyle Award in 2007). The studio strives to produce provocative designs that are unconventional, yet instilled with a strong sense of cultural and social relevance, particularly in South Africa. Realizing the social impacts of design led Y. Tsai to join NGO Shoebox Homes, an institution that promotes social designs for the disadvantaged communities and orphanages.
Y. Tsai was one of the finalists of the YCE Design Award 2008.
Further insights
Since taking part in this programme… besides been a big encouragement, it has also opened my eyes to the work of other peers doing amazing things in their respective countries.
On a personal level it was very inspiring to be able to hear what impact their projects have on their communities. The idea that small things have the potential to change the world was often the messages in the presentations.
On a professional level the award and the program prompt me, besides doing the work we do, been more involved with the local design sector and various role players in the community to bring the same message I took away from the other IYDEA finalists- and to quote Ghandi- be the change you want to be.
I am inspired by… great stories about how design can make a difference in people’s lives, especially in poverty stricken Africa. Examples are the Hippo Water Roller and the Play Pump, just to name a few. Cameron Sinclair’s Architecture for Humanity and his book ‘ Design like you give a damn’ are full of such great triumphs.
South Africa are full of these stories, and IYDEA allowed me to try and promote these stories and the people behind them. The flip side is that once the local design sector learnt that the stories have been told overseas, it encourages young designers to look for such creative solutions.
My advice would be… I don’t have any big advice; I have learnt that perseverance is the only way to make things happen…so I am still persevering…
The thing that most interests me at the moment… is Cape Town’s 2014 World Design Capital Bid and how the local design communities are rallying behind the bid in unison. No quite the World Cup but it is as exciting to be part of the process.
