Joba Studio’s CEO Kevin Jones Promotes Diversity in the Global Design Industry

Earlier this year, Joba Studio’s CEO and Creative Director, Kevin Jones and the team at USM Modular Furniture launched the "HUE+MAN Design Competition" in an effort to fight systematic racism and empower diversity throughout the global design industry. The purpose behind this competition was to support social equality and creativity with an emphasis on sustainability. Through a group of wildly talented artists, twenty finalists were selected to showcase their work at the Design Miami competition, exhibited through an art installation designed by Kevin Jones himself. 

HUE+MAN 

The term HUE+MAN stands for Culture + Humanity. HUE is an old term for culture. Culture and Humanity are the drivers of this initiative. The overall goal of the HUE+MAN design competition is to recognize what designers of color are creating today and to promote those with promising talent. This year’s competition resulted in twenty finalists, who were given three months to design a piece surrounding the theme "Culture Sculpture: From Cultures to Sculpture". 

FIRST PLACE 

The first place winner, Margaret Waiyego Zollinger, works as a textile instructor for the Arts in Transition project, an integration program supporting Refugees in Zurich, Switzerland. Zollinger aimed to spark tough conversation and challenge change through her art, thereby crafting a fascinating display surrounding visualization of the integration process called acculturation. To do this, Zollinger asked passers-by about different preferences, values, and facts. She then arranged this data into a numerical system, resulting in laser generated physical topographies called, “The Topography of Adaption”.

SECOND PLACE 

Second place winner Peter Mukhaye created his piece through the lense of revival. When coming up with inspiration, Mukhaye took a deep dive into aspects of African history that still bear relevance today. A specific story that caught his eye was the quest of Edward Makuka Nkoloso, a Zambian who took it upon himself to enter Zambia in the race to the Moon. It was through this story that Mukhaye crafted his story, a series of compelling photos that illustrate the science between man and the moon. 

THIRD PLACE 

Coming in third place, Amukelani Mathebula explored self-identity when diving into his own personal heritage. His art piece includes two furniture pieces that were inspired by South African Bantu culture. Mathebula presented this rich history in the form of a table and a light fixture. The collection is called the Xigaza collection, which drew inspiration from the Tsonga culture's traditional attire, music, dance and art. 

FINALISTS AND MORE

Alongside the winners of this year's HUE+MAN competition are many other finalists worth checking out. Visit the Joba Studio website to take a look at the HUE+MAN contestants' awe-inspiring displays that were showcased this year at Design Miami. 

KEVIN / JOBA STUDIO 

Kevin Jones, award-winning designer, and professional athlete is the founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Joba Studio, a multidisciplinary team focused on creating impactful design experiences and communications. Joba Studio works with business leaders across 25 countries, and houses a well seasoned team with an eye for the future. Through Jones’s human-centered and empathetic methodology, he was able to build an empire that inspires authentic and genuine connections between people, art, words, and products