The annual awards function of the National Research Foundation was hosted at The Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga, Durban on the 27^th of August.  This year the theme for the awards evening was The International Year of Evaluation as well as The International Year of Light.

The evening was divided into two parts, first the awards ceremony, which was then followed by a cocktail function, in a separate venue.

Black couches and mostly black chair covers were used for the seating at the awards function.  Colour blocking was done using orange, blue and yellow chair covers, red cushions on the couches and coloured ottomans.  Keeping the theme in mind, we played with different lights for the centrepieces.  For the coffee tables, we used fibre optics, micro lights and small snowballs.  The images of the previous years’ winners were displayed on Plasma screens, positioned against the side walls.

Moving rays of light bounced back from the all-white decor at the cocktail event.  Our white boxes with light tubes decorated the cocktail tables, while large LED Balls lit some of the round cocktail tables.  A white stretch set installation in the centre of the hall created a beautiful focal point and served as a backdrop for special lighting effects.