About – Kyle Brand

Lecturer and Researcher

Kyle Brand began teaching Industrial Design while completing his master’s degree. This was at the University of Johannesburg from 2011 to 2014. Initially only teaching specific projects within courses and then later teaching full courses. Kyle also assisted with various research projects link to his own research and that of other staff members. He was also a founding member of the Design Society Development (DSD) lab which later was recognised as a DESIS Lab. As part of DSD, Kyle was part of hosting two public seminars looking at the role of design in society and development.

Kyle briefed and managed the faculty based Green Week Project in 2013. He also assisted with with the taxi intervention project with Matthew Burger, the Alexandra Solar Lighting project and Candle stick project. Bellow is a selection of projects and activities from this time.

3D Light Painting, Teaching CAD
June 13, 2012
Agrindustrial Turkey
May 1, 2012
Steam Iron Design
May 10, 2010
Glue Gun
November 17, 2009
iEar
August 17, 2009
Qhaway Floor Standing Lamp
June 17, 2009

After completing his masters Kyle accepted a full time position at the still quite new Industrial Design program at the Tshwane University of Technology. Shortly after starting the program was in the process of reviewing the curriculum and Kyle was tasked with developing the new Concept Simulation subject. This led to the formation of the Concept Lab (a smaller workshop) within the studio space as well as research.

Kyle first got involved in the 2016 TUT Solar car project as a the car body designer and driver. In 2018 he was the design manager for the TUT Solar Car which competed in the Sasol Solar challenge 2018 placing 1st place among South African teams and in 4th place overall. TUT Solar team also won the African Spirit Award and did the most kilometers by a South African team in one day (with a four square meter solar array) and were awarded the International Solar Federation Award for 2018. Kyle is currently working with the team on the development of the 2020 TUT solar car.

Kyle has also partnered with the Mabula Ground-Hornbill Project and has been working on a ongoing project which aims to develop a new composite artificial nest for the birds.

With very broad interests and skills Kyle has also been involved in many other special projects at the university. Kyle has also been part of starting the TUT | Tharabololo lab is in the process of being recognised as a DESIS Lab. Bellow is a selection of projects.

Tool-Wall System
September 9, 2020
“Nest” facades
August 18, 2020
Covid-19 Response
April 9, 2020
Two-Plate Rocket Stove
February 14, 2020
MCAD Solidworks 2019 Launch: Designing the Future
October 11, 2018
Cumulus Paris 2018
May 1, 2018

Research

Social Innovation

Concept Simulation

Transdiciplinarity

Systems Thinking

Sustainability

Publications

Brand, K. G. (2018) A Concept Simulation Framework for Improved Design Practice and Teaching. Proceedings of the To Get There: Designing Together – Cumulus Conference Proceedings Paris 2018 (pp. 88-104).
Brand, K. G., & Campbell, A. D. (2014). In-context and Ecology Immersion for Resilience: An Exploration of the Design of a Household Farming Kit. Proceedings of the International Union of Architects World Congress: UIA 2014 Durban: Architecture Otherwhere: Resilience, Ecology, Values – UIA 2014 Durban
Campbell, A. D., & Brand, K. G. (2013). Design of Resilient Products for Small Scale Farming in South Africa. Agrindustrial Design; 2nd International Product and Service Design Congress and Exhibition on Agricultural Industries – Mediterranean / Food / Design (pp. 278-286). Izmir: University of Economics.