When we think of design the words that come to mind are form, function, colour and texture. When we think of South Africa words like possibility, intriguing, vibrant and potential come to mind. Let’s combine the two; that is design and South Africa, and a name that you will hear about, if you haven’t heard about him already, is Y Tsai or Tsai as he prefers to call himself.

Tsai is South Africa’s 2008 International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year Award(IYDE) finalist. A University of Cape Town graduate, he uses eastern influence, mixed with inspirations from diverse South African culture, to build a body of work that has already earned him a number of accolades and awards, including the prestigious International Red Dot Award 2007 and the local Topbilling Momentum Lifestyle Award 2007.

‘‘South Africa has a lot of need for design orientated solutions in the low cost housing area for example, and designers like myself need to constantly come up with design solutions on a mass scale, but there are a lot of entrepreneurial elements that need to go into it,’’ says Tsai.

With a strong social responsibility thread, weaving through most of his work, Tsai is passionate about using his creativity constructively. Humbled that he was chosen as the South Africa finalist he considered it, ‘’A great privilege to take his work and a South African flavour to the international arena as an emerging South African designer, and to have access to international audiences and possible clients. We have many other ideas and products that are designed in the South African context, but also have international appeal. I believe the IYDEY participation will allow us to expand our vision and ambition.’’

Tsai is one of ten finalists who will compete for the actual award drawn from a range of sectors including: architecture, graphic design, product design, design promotion, and interactive and digital media. The countries taking part in this year’s award are Argentina, China, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa and Slovenia, Thailand and Venezuela.

As a finalist, Tsai will join 8 - 10 other finalists in September 2008, for a twelve d ay UK tour of the national design industry, which will culminate in them attending 100% Design (18-21 September 2008) and London Design Festival (September 2008). There the overall winner will be chosen and will receive a financial prize and their own stand at 100% Design 2008

Andrea Ogle, British Council Project Officer commented that, ‘’Not only has Tsai demonstrated that he takes initiative and is actively applying his skills to making a difference in poor communities, specifically in homes where families live in small crowded spaces, but his socially responsible approach to design encourages other designers to care about their country and their communities.