I’m a web and graphic designer original from Turin (Italy). I have been living in Cape Town since 2003, and from 2017 I became also South African citizen.
I currently divide my time almost equally between designing and managing co-design and participatory design projects, with a personal definite preference for the latter. I enjoy embracing challenges and see how good design can improve people’s lives.
While in Italy he worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years, gaining substantial experience in delivering communication products such as documentaries, magazines and multimedia exhibitions. In South Africa, after a stint as project manager for an international NGO assisting refugees and migrants, I start to work on graphic design and communication activities.
I have a particular passion in using video as a way for communities to represent themselves and in self-producing multimedia materials. Cape Town Commoners Project
I’m involved in community-driven civic participation project in various civics association and NPO including Friends of Trafalgar Park, Friends of Thandolwethu , Woodstock Residents Association and the Civic Actions for Public Participation Network.
Website: www.andreacouvert.co.za
Activities:Aug 2020 – Present
Project Manager – Cape Town commoners, Cape Town
The project aim is develop a network between various commons and commoners experiences and activities. The Cape Town commoners is supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
YouTube channel: Cape Town Commoners Project
2019 – Present
Friends of Thandolwethu NPO, Samora Machel, Philippi, Cape Town
Activities: Community Co-design workshop, Website and Branding development, Business development.
Partners: Friends of Thandolwethu NPO; City of Reggio Emilia patronage: PACO Collaborative
Website: www.friendsofthandolwethu.org
Mar 2015 – 2019
Co-design Project – Iqhayiya Community Radio Station, Samora Machel, Philippi, Cape Town – Support for the Radio Station on developing a communication strategy.
Activities: community co-design workshop – training workshop for website management and content updates – technical assistance – radio podcasts – online streaming radio
Partners: Media Aid – Italy, University of Cape Town, Slowdesign, Rainbowmediagroup
website
Mar 2015 – 2019
ARP – Art Residency Project. The aim of the project is to strengthen the cultural dialogue between Italy and South Africa promoting residences for young artists, cultural events and exhibitions in Italy and in South Africa. Project by Centro Luigi Di Sarro. Parters: Gallery Everard Reed, Rainbowmediagroup, Consulate of Italy in Cape Town, Slowdesign, Ruth Prowse school of Art. Project funded by the Italian Foreign Ministry
2013-2017
Pilot project: Design Strategies for enhancing service delivery in Solid Waste Management at Doornbach, Cape Town
In alignment with the City of Cape Town quest to provide adequate basic services to all its residents, this pilot project seeks to establish the effectiveness of existing services to residents at Doornbach, and subsequently to determine appropriate design strategies for enhancing service delivery in solid waste management processes. The research team shall employ participatory methods to co-design potential solutions in consultation with diverse actors and stakeholders of the said informal settlement.
Partners: Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the City of Cape Town
2014
Coordinator of the World Design Capital project MIDA (made in democratic Africa, #WDC541) – Transdisciplinary workshop between 5 italian designer and the Design Faculty – Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Cape Town.
https://www.facebook.com/midaWDC541
2013-2014
Member of the World Design Capital 2014 Curatorial Panel.
Design Can Do Workshop – November 23/25, 2012 – a social design organization set up with a can-do attitude to tackle current social issues around the world. Rock City Foundation, Korea Institute of Design Promotion, Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Talkoot! – 10 November 2012, Cross-community design workshop during the World Design Capital: Helsinki Meets Cape Town. In collaboration with Social Justice Coalition, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Aalto University, Aalto Global Impact, RLabs.
Design Storming Workshop Khayelitsha 30 June – July, 2012 Participatory design process with communities and professional about Refuse collection. Creative Cape Town, Cape Town Design Network (CTDN) and the Social Justice Coalition.
Workshop Indaba Design – SAHRE VICTORE WILKER workshop, Cape Town 2011
Course in Video Production, whit Roger Lucey and Les Aupias, Centre for Film & Media Studies, University of Cape Town July 2005
Video production:
2019 – Present
YouTube channel: Cape Town Commoners Project
2019
Samora Machel, Children Design Thinking Workshop 2019
Youtube video
Mrs Caroline Felix ALL GONE WITH THE WIND
Youtube video
2018
Salt River Heritage Society
Youtube video
Denver Arendse
Youtube video
2017
Princess Vlei co-design workshop 21 October 2017
Youtube video
2016
Food Day 2016
Youtube video
2013
Design storming Workshop 24-25 August 2013 – Khayelitsha, Cape
Youtube video
2012
Freedom’s Child – Melanie Scholtz sings J. Matthews
Youtube video
Design Storming Workshop 30 June and 1 July 2012 – Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Youtube video
Talkoot! Day 10 November 2012, Cape Town
Youtube video
2005
Fingerprint a printer co-operative, Cape Town, South Africa.
http://stories.coop/stories/printing-the-future/ |
