by Gerrit Bester
Third-year students from the TUT Department of Interior Design, Faculty of Arts and Design, were privileged to participate in a masterclass led by renowned interior design expert and Department alum, Donald Nxumalo, in May. The Department provides students with valuable learning opportunities to better equip them for the challenging and fast-paced world of interior design.
Interior Design guru, Donald Nxumalo, interacting with students.
Recently awarded the Outstanding Interior Designer Award at the inaugural Cultural and Creative Industry Awards (CCIAWARDS2024), Nxumalo from DNX Interior Design is celebrated for his distinctive interiors, characterised by their bold elegance. He always ensures that clients find their identity in the spaces he designs.The day commenced with a guided tour of the DNX studio, also known as the Donald Nxumalo studio, for the students and staff. The tour provided insights into the studio's operations, team dynamics and the crucial roles each member plays in the company's success.This was followed by a presentation from Nxumalo on gaining insights into project presentation and pro tips on how to captivate your client.
The day also included interactions with Tanya Sterley from the Casamance Group who explored the vital link between interior and fabric houses, Caley-Jade Smith from Bella Bathrooms and Tiles on bathroom trends, while Lungisile Vutha and Lizette Rossouw from DNX Interiors shed more light on how to build a career in interior design.Reflecting on the day, specifically on whether similar masterclasses are worthwhile to organise in the future, Nxumalo said: “As a former student, I was left in awe at the extraordinary amount of talent visible on the day. I was also enthralled by the students and the eagerness that was shown to understanding the professional work environment. I believe the day awakened inside of the DNX team a new love for what we do daily, just from interacting with the talented students and demonstrating to them our offices and the design process up until installation of a project. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Faculty of Arts and Design for the visit and the wonderful support.”
Interior Design students had the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry during a visit to renowned interior designer and Department alum, Donald Nxumalo.