Posts

Crafting Sustainable Wetland Monitoring Water Level Sticks: My Journey

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During my Nature Connect Learnership at Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area, I embarked on a project to create water level sticks using recycled materials. Recognising the environmental impact of traditional metal markers, I endeavoured to innovate using repurposed plastic bottle caps and PVC pipes. The idea originated from my desire to mitigate plastic waste while addressing the practical need for reliable water level markers. With this vision in mind, I decided to utilise PVC pipe and recycled bottle caps as markers. To source the materials, I embarked on a beach trip, where discarded bottle caps were abundant, emphasising the environmental imperative of repurposing materials. Back in my workspace, located at home, I meticulously spaced out the bottle caps along the PVC pipe, ensuring accuracy in measurements. Each cap was strategically placed every 10 centimetres to facilitate precise water level monitoring. This phase underscored the importance of attention to detail in executi
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Battling the Blaze: The Hidden Dangers of Vape Litter

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As I reflect on my recent experience at the Kennilworth Racecourse Conservation Area, one unwelcome discovery stands out vividly: three disposable vapes discarded along the fence-lines. Beyond being eyesores, these seemingly innocuous items pose a significant threat to both the environment and public safety. Why? Because nestled within their sleek designs lie lithium batteries, potential harbingers of catastrophe. Lithium batteries, ubiquitous in modern electronics, are notorious for their volatile nature. When mishandled or subjected to adverse conditions, they can spontaneously combust, igniting fires with alarming speed and ferocity. The consequences are dire, particularly in areas like conservation sites where ecosystems teeter on the brink of vulnerability. Sadly, the peril isn't merely hypothetical. Across the globe, incidents of lithium battery accidents have wreaked havoc. In 2019, a recycling facility in Arizona became engulfed in flames after a lithium battery ignited, ca
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Birth of the Conservation Creative

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Conservation Design   personifies  a  ground-breaking    methodology  that  merges design thinking with conservation strategies ,  to tackle complex environmental challenges.  T his approach emphasis es interdisciplinary collaboration  by  encourag ing  experts from various fields  of  design, architect ure, ecology , and more, to work together. This ethos  is holistic i n its problem-solving approach as i t considers not only the immediate conservation issue but  similarly  the broader context,  recognising  the intricate relations hips between ecological systems and  human activities .   One  key feature  is the promotion of creativity and innovation  as   d esign thinkers within the conservation field often employ cutting-edge technologies, sustainable materials, and unconventional strategies to address environmental issues.  Creative  thinkers   possess  the potential to  offer  imaginative  and innovative  solution s, given the opportunity .  Conservation organisations similarly h
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Design Thinking in Seabird Rehabilitation: From Comfort Mats to Adaptive Solutions

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Embarking on a seabird rehabilitation learnership at SANCCOB has been a transformative journey, immersing me in the vital work of seabird hand rearing, husbandry, and rehabilitation.  This hands-on experience has provided invaluable insights into the challenges faced by seabirds, from injuries inflicted by predation to the debilitating effects of suspected botulism. During my internship at SANCCOB, a recurring observation struck a chord - the frequent admissions of injured penguins, victims of predation, often requiring amputations, and a significant number of kelp gulls grappling with suspected botulism. These avian patients arrived weakened, their struggles evident in their inability to hold up their heads or even experiencing paralysis.  This stark reality ignited a determination to devise a practical solution. Recognising their need for comfort and support, it was necessary to embark on the creation of a padded matting solution.  This novelty was designed to offer the essential su
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Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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Beachgoer's Unexpected Rescue Mission: Exposing the Shocking Truth Behind Fishing Pollution!

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Imagine a serene day at the beach, with the gentle warmth of the sun on your skin and the rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the shore. Now, picture this tranquility shattered by the distressing sight of a seagull with a hook and line entangled in its mouth—a stark reminder of the consequences of irresponsible angling practices for our coastal wildlife. This was the scene I encountered recently at Strandfontein Pavilion, nestled on the southern peninsula of Cape Town, South Africa. What began as a leisurely seaside excursion swiftly transformed into a mission to aid a distressed kelp gull. With a hook embedded in its mouth and fishing line ensnared around its beak, immediate action was imperative. Responding to the urgency of the situation, I sprang into action. Despite lacking specialized bird rescue equipment, I carefully navigated the situation, prioritising the bird's safety. Keeping in mind the risk of exacerbating its injuries, I opted to carefully cut away the excess fi
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Drone Photography

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Never has it been so easy to capture aerial images of some of the world’s most stunning (and sometimes hard to reach) places. The drone—a sky-high flying, unmanned camera—is undoubtedly the wildest photography development in recent memory. Almost like a remote-controlled toy for the photo obsessed, drones are as much fun as they are revolutionary. In the picture frame are some aerial footage snaps taken from my DJI spark drone in Nelson Mandela Bay. 
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Interiors

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Part of Selling homes is also selling the idea of what they can look like inside, furnished. When creating the perfect artistic bedroom, the bed choice should symbolise what the seller wants the buyer to feel, that includes the bedding and  blanket .  While different forms of art sire this feeling, Our artistic bedding is sure to have a possibility for the Da Vinci in us all.  This is a  Textile Screen printed duvet set that I conceptualised, screen printed and sewed together.. Catalog photography was done by me. Location: Beach Hotel.
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Content design for property

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A realtor is more than a salesman, and a house is more than the sum of its drywall and vanilla accents. Buying that forever home is an experience like no other. It’s a milestone symbolising one’s entrance into adulthood. It’s a bridge to the classic 2.5 children, dog and backyard barbecue. Some concept content designed by me.
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DIY lamp design and construction.

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Made with drift wood (found on the beach) and bored holes in a old piece of gutter as the shade. Photography by me.
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Magazine Cover Design

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Whenever you buy magazines from newsstands or bookstores, you tend to gauge the internal content through the  cover . Apart from enticing the reader with its unique imagery and  cover  lines, the  magazine cover  plays an  important  role in other aspects of sales and popularity of the brand.
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