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A band performs on a dark stage beneath a large screen displaying the text “BRAND YOURSELF DAMNIT!”. To the right, a person stands behind a podium branded “DESIGN INDABA”.

“Don’t mix rock and roll with professionalism” – a conference through the eyes of Snask

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Date
19 February 2016

“Don’t combine Rock and Roll with professionalism” was a friendly word of warning from Stockholm based creative agency Snask. Founders Erik Kockum and Fredrik Öst closed the second day of Design Indaba arriving on stage in a car and bringing the band Väg (which translates as ‘road’ in English) on with them. After asking the audience to don pink masks and ignoring their own advice, they combined rock and roll and professionalism with shambolic style.

Speaking to the designers, it became clear they were having a pretty unique experience in Cape Town that they, like most other people, had been capturing on their phones. We got hold of the pictures and (with their permission) publish them below – see Design Indaba through the eyes of Snask.

An animation in which a wide shot of a crowded concert venue cuts to a band performing on a stage bathed in red light. A person plays a black electric guitar while another plays bass and a third person sits at a drum kit.
A person stands at the helm of a white catamaran, addressing a group of people seated around them. The boat is docked at a harbour, with a South African flag visible at the stern.
Above
Left

Abord a catamaran with Design Indaba founder Ravi Naidoo (far left)

Right

Väg find a new fan at sea

Four people stand together behind a white counter under a white canopy. One person wears a black apron with a white “Vag” logo, while another holds a silver can.
Above

Väg find a new fan at sea

A person with long hair and a moustache wears a flight headset with a microphone. They are sitting in the cockpit of a small plane, with instrument dials visible in the background.
Above

Frederik contemplates his life before taking a helicopter ride

A person sits at a dinner table, looking at the camera with a finger to their lips. They are flanked by another person in a red top, with wine glasses and plates of food in the foreground.
Above

Dining with Erik Kessels

A top-down view of a person’s feet wearing light blue slip-on shoes and dark socks. They stand on a dark, textured carpet.
Above

Stealing Erik Kessels’ shoes

A band prepares on a stage under purple lighting in a large, industrial space. A drummer sits behind their kit while other figures stand around amplifiers and equipment.
Above

Sound Check

A band performs on a stage under red lighting. Behind them, a large screen displays the word “SNASK” in white outlined letters.
Above

Combining rock and roll and keynote

A large crowd fills a darkened auditorium, with many people wearing bright pink and blue masks. In the foreground, a screen displays the text “TIMES UP!! END NOW”.
Above

Snack gets the audience to don pink masks and look fabulous

Two people in the foreground wear yellow raincoats with hoods, looking at the camera with wide eyes. Behind them, a cinema audience is filled with people all wearing matching yellow raincoats.
Above

Modelling KesselKramer ponchos in the Design Indaba audience

A bright, white lounge area with white modular sofas and low tables. Pink paper decorations hang from a glass ceiling, with a view of a city and mountains through large windows.
Above
Left

Venue for the Snask afterparty

Right

Think Pink – dressing the venue

A bright, glass-roofed room is decorated with pink paper fans and streamers for a party. Several people stand and sit throughout the space, which is furnished with low, black modular seating.
Above

Think Pink – dressing the venue

A view over white buildings and lush greenery towards the ocean at sunset. The sky fades from a pale blue to a warm orange glow on the horizon.
Above

Arriving for a “dine around” dinner in Camp Bay

Four people stand together on a paved driveway in front of a white gated entrance. A white car is parked behind them against a backdrop of trees and a pale sunset sky.
Above

Arriving for a ‘dine around’ dinner in Camp Bay

Two people sit at a wooden dining table with a dog peering between them. One person leans on their hand, while the other holds up a glass of red wine.
Above

Dining with Alastair King from KingJames (and his massive dog)

A crowd of people gather in a brightly lit room for a party. A person in the foreground plays a guitar, facing a crowd illuminated by green and purple lights.
Above

Combing rock and roll with professionalism

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About the Author

Owen Pritchard

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Owen joined It’s Nice That as Editor in November of 2015 leading and overseeing all editorial content across online, print and the events programme, before leaving in early 2018.

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