The Sanlam Young South Africa Thinking Ahead competition launched by Decorex SA encouraged young design students to think outside the usual constraints for materials and design.

Lateral thinking paid off for design students Rob Crankshaw and Lyle Dummer from the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) when they won the coveted award at Decorex Kzn for their imaginative six-legged two-seater bench doubling up as a coffee table, side table and credenza.

Melody Pollard and Hayley Dickson won 2nd prize for a striking white and orange multi-functional bench and fabric design inspired by the strelitzia.

"Designers are often challenged to create products for an uncertain, unpredictable world," said Melanie Froneman, director of Decorex SA. "The Sanlam Young SA Thinking Ahead competition challenges young designers to create furniture that look towards the future in terms of recycling, compact living, multi-purpose criteria and aesthetics."

"We were thrilled to experience the Durban students' optimism for the future through their work."

Students from design schools in the Western Cape will now take up the Sanlam Young SA Thinking Ahead challenge at Decorex Cape. The entries from interior design students at Boston House College, the Cape Technikon and crafters from the Cape Craft Design Institute will be exhibited at Decorex Cape from 29 April to 2 May.

Meet the winners: Rob Crankshaw and Lyle Dummer

Our design for a visitors' chair has a flowing organic form and a distinctive Oriental feel. The teardrop form represents a section of a yin yang symbol and is linked by the gentle carved grooves in the seat. This adds texture and creates a sense of movement.

We decided to construct a double seated bench which is multifunctional in that it can also be used as a large side table or serve as a credenza. We also felt that a double seater would be different and less formal than two single chars. It is also light-weight, which makes it easy to move around.

In terms of process, we first had to determine trends influencing design in general and then apply our findings in the design, development and manufacture of a specific item. This included sourcing material and specialist manufacturers, as well as using our own workshop at the DIT. Our design also had to complement other items used in a home-office room-setting, so it meant a lot of team work.

We worked with limited resources - from materials to space. It demands innovative use of recycled materials and multi-purpose items. With more and more people working from home, furniture has to work harder than ever before.

Technology drives the future. This creates a counter-trend towards organic shapes and patterns. In a way we as designers have to integrate the past into future designs to create harmony and balance.