Umoya Cultural Experience Event Posters
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 Print & Digital / Poster and Flyer
School / University Name:Vega School at Emeris
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Rachael Keats
Professor Name(s):Vian Roos
Project Location:Durban
Design Status:Prototype
Project Description:
This project consists of a series of cultural events posters that are hosted at the Umoya amphitheatre on the Durban Beachfront. The events are designed to celebrate and educate audiences about the diverse cultures and heritage that shape South Africa, creating an accessible platform for cultural exchange through performance, storytelling, and creative workshops. Each event highlights a different cultural expression, including a Bollywood dance workshop, a traditional drumming session, and a storytelling open mic focused on ancestral narratives. These events encourage community participation while allowing people to experience traditions through movement, rhythm, and shared stories. The posters were designed to promote these events while visually expressing the vibrancy of South African culture. Through bold typography, layered imagery, and culturally inspired patterns, the designs communicate the energy and richness of the experiences being offered. By combining cultural programming with expressive visual communication, the project transforms the amphitheatre into a space where heritage is not only preserved but actively experienced and shared with the community.
This project consists of a series of cultural events posters that are hosted at the Umoya amphitheatre on the Durban Beachfront. The events are designed to celebrate and educate audiences about the diverse cultures and heritage that shape South Africa, creating an accessible platform for cultural exchange through performance, storytelling, and creative workshops. Each event highlights a different cultural expression, including a Bollywood dance workshop, a traditional drumming session, and a storytelling open mic focused on ancestral narratives. These events encourage community participation while allowing people to experience traditions through movement, rhythm, and shared stories. The posters were designed to promote these events while visually expressing the vibrancy of South African culture. Through bold typography, layered imagery, and culturally inspired patterns, the designs communicate the energy and richness of the experiences being offered. By combining cultural programming with expressive visual communication, the project transforms the amphitheatre into a space where heritage is not only preserved but actively experienced and shared with the community.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The aim of these posters are to reimagine event promotion by translating cultural expression directly into visual language. Rather than using conventional event advertising, the posters visually embody the energy and rhythm of each cultural experience they promote. The design approach blends photography with illustration and linocut-inspired textures, creating layered compositions that reflect the handcrafted, expressive qualities often associated with South African art and design traditions. This hybrid visual style allows each poster to communicate a sense of movement, sound, and storytelling. Typography plays a central role in the compositions, with bold, fragmented layouts echoing the rhythm and dynamism of dance, drumming, and spoken storytelling. Cultural symbols and patterns are integrated to reinforce the heritage being celebrated while maintaining a contemporary visual identity. Through this approach, the posters move beyond simple promotion and become visual interpretations of the cultural experiences themselves, helping to attract audiences while celebrating the richness of South African creative expression.
The aim of these posters are to reimagine event promotion by translating cultural expression directly into visual language. Rather than using conventional event advertising, the posters visually embody the energy and rhythm of each cultural experience they promote. The design approach blends photography with illustration and linocut-inspired textures, creating layered compositions that reflect the handcrafted, expressive qualities often associated with South African art and design traditions. This hybrid visual style allows each poster to communicate a sense of movement, sound, and storytelling. Typography plays a central role in the compositions, with bold, fragmented layouts echoing the rhythm and dynamism of dance, drumming, and spoken storytelling. Cultural symbols and patterns are integrated to reinforce the heritage being celebrated while maintaining a contemporary visual identity. Through this approach, the posters move beyond simple promotion and become visual interpretations of the cultural experiences themselves, helping to attract audiences while celebrating the richness of South African creative expression.
Project Sustainability Approach:
These events promotes cultural sustainability by creating opportunities for traditions, stories, and artistic practices to be shared within a contemporary public setting. By hosting workshops, performances, and storytelling sessions, the programme encourages the transmission of cultural knowledge between generations. These events provide a platform for local performers, cultural practitioners, and storytellers to share their heritage with wider audiences, ensuring that cultural traditions remain visible, valued, and actively practiced. The participatory nature of the workshops allows audiences to engage directly with cultural forms such as dance and drumming, transforming spectators into participants. The project also supports community connection by creating inclusive events that invite people from different backgrounds to learn about and experience cultures beyond their own. In doing so, the programme fosters mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation for South Africa’s cultural diversity. By prioritising cultural education, participation, and representation, the project contributes to the long-term sustainability of cultural heritage within the community.
These events promotes cultural sustainability by creating opportunities for traditions, stories, and artistic practices to be shared within a contemporary public setting. By hosting workshops, performances, and storytelling sessions, the programme encourages the transmission of cultural knowledge between generations. These events provide a platform for local performers, cultural practitioners, and storytellers to share their heritage with wider audiences, ensuring that cultural traditions remain visible, valued, and actively practiced. The participatory nature of the workshops allows audiences to engage directly with cultural forms such as dance and drumming, transforming spectators into participants. The project also supports community connection by creating inclusive events that invite people from different backgrounds to learn about and experience cultures beyond their own. In doing so, the programme fosters mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation for South Africa’s cultural diversity. By prioritising cultural education, participation, and representation, the project contributes to the long-term sustainability of cultural heritage within the community.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The project activates the Durban beachfront by creating a platform for cultural expression through public events at the amphitheatre. These events invite both residents and visitors to engage with South Africa’s diverse traditions through dance, drumming, and storytelling. By encouraging participation rather than passive viewing, the programme strengthens community connection and cultural pride. Locally, the events provide opportunities for performers and cultural practitioners to share their knowledge and traditions with wider audiences. Regionally, the programme contributes to cultural tourism by showcasing authentic cultural experiences in one of South Africa’s most visited coastal spaces. Through accessible events and strong visual promotion, the project helps position the Durban beach
The project activates the Durban beachfront by creating a platform for cultural expression through public events at the amphitheatre. These events invite both residents and visitors to engage with South Africa’s diverse traditions through dance, drumming, and storytelling. By encouraging participation rather than passive viewing, the programme strengthens community connection and cultural pride. Locally, the events provide opportunities for performers and cultural practitioners to share their knowledge and traditions with wider audiences. Regionally, the programme contributes to cultural tourism by showcasing authentic cultural experiences in one of South Africa’s most visited coastal spaces. Through accessible events and strong visual promotion, the project helps position the Durban beach
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Rachael Keats
Profile Description:
I am a third year Communication Design student at Vega School in South Africa, specialising in branding, poster design and typography. My work is driven by strong concepts, visual storytelling and intentional typography to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. I often draw inspiration from South African culture, heritage and community experiences, using design as a way to translate these narratives into engaging visual communication. I aim to create thoughtful, impactful work that connects with audiences, communicates meaningfully and leaves a lasting impression
I am a third year Communication Design student at Vega School in South Africa, specialising in branding, poster design and typography. My work is driven by strong concepts, visual storytelling and intentional typography to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. I often draw inspiration from South African culture, heritage and community experiences, using design as a way to translate these narratives into engaging visual communication. I aim to create thoughtful, impactful work that connects with audiences, communicates meaningfully and leaves a lasting impression
Environmental Practices:
Environmental awareness plays an important role in how I approach my design practice. I prioritise concept driven solutions that rely on clarity of idea rather than excessive production, and I consider digital formats where appropriate to reduce material use. When working with print, I design with efficiency in mind, carefully considering layout, scale and material choices to minimise waste. I believe communication design carries a responsibility to be mindful of its environmental impact while still producing work that is meaningful, engaging and visually impactful.
Environmental awareness plays an important role in how I approach my design practice. I prioritise concept driven solutions that rely on clarity of idea rather than excessive production, and I consider digital formats where appropriate to reduce material use. When working with print, I design with efficiency in mind, carefully considering layout, scale and material choices to minimise waste. I believe communication design carries a responsibility to be mindful of its environmental impact while still producing work that is meaningful, engaging and visually impactful.
Previous Awards Won:
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