Cape Town’s creative scene is as vibrant and dynamic as the city itself—where a mix of culture, design, and social energy fuels an ever-evolving creative community. From beautifully crafted event posters to edgy restaurant branding and gallery exhibitions, the city's designers and illustrators channel Cape Town’s sophisticated yet grungy atmosphere into their work. With a long summer and a thriving social culture, the creative pulse here is collaborative, culturally aware, and always buzzing.
For Louise Nothling, design is all about curiosity and connection. A personal project as a student sparked her love for illustration and design, and she’s been blending the two ever since. Now, as TDK’s Cape Town City Host, she’s bringing that passion to the local design scene—creating spaces where students, grads, and industry leaders can meet, learn, and grow together. Whether it’s curating TDK Tuesdays, organizing workshops with top illustrators, or scouting the best creative events in town, Louise is on a mission to build a stronger, more connected design community.
We caught up with her to chat about Cape Town’s creative scene, her favourite local spots, and what’s next for TDK in the Mother City!
What is the creative scene in your city like?
Cape Town has a very social scene so you'll find a lot of creative content built around that - event posters, music gigs, galleries and super hot restaurant/bar design and content around food. It has a really specific atmosphere to it (sophisticated, on the cultural pulse and kinda grungy). I would describe the scene as collaborative, culturally interested and buzzing with a friendly energy. + we have a long summer, so people tend to hang out and attend events.
Can you share the moment or experience that sparked your passion for design?
It was a personal project I did for fun as a 21-year-old student, advertising a market and (for the first time) satisfyingly combining illustration and design. It opened my eyes to the possibility of illustration in design and design in illustration.
Why did you want to become a TDK City Host?
I really wanted to connect myself, students, grads and other people to the creative role models in my city and boost my confidence and ability to organise events.
Tell us about your plans for up and coming TDK Tuesdays.
The next TDK event is a mini workshop! We're joined by two well-known and celebrated illustrators who will talk to a mini audience of 10-15 people and give them drawing prompts. I'm excited to see what comes out and how people engage with the material!
Who are your favourite local designers?
What up and coming creative events in your city are you most excited about?
It was just Art Fair and Cape Town Furniture Week - both had multiple activations over two weeks that were super multi-facetted and exciting!
Bree Street has a open street initiative on Sundays where the whole street is blocked off and the space transforms into a market/playground/pedestrian heaven. At the moment, for 6 weeks, they're making one big massive blanket (it's huge) and anybody from the public can collaborate and join in!
I'm looking forward to Cape Town Design Week later the year, last year's first iteration was awesome.
What is your favourite place for coffee, drinks and design chats with friends, in your city?
Paulines, The Stranger Club, House of Machines, Book Lounge, Marias, Roxy's!
Tell us about some local co-working spaces that designers will love.
I'm not too clued up on this. People like We-Work and Neighbourgood. But if people are looking for good spots to work in I would suggest The Ladder and Cape Town Library.
What are the core values or philosophies that guide your creative practice?
CURIOSITY, CURIOSITY, CURIOSITY
Is there anything else you want to tell us or share with us?
I love TDK the platform, initiative and monthly event. It's my favourite activity in my life at the moment and I would love to move into a career where organising events, bringing people together and design education is at the centre.
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