WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Deon Lourens (Popstrukt); Supplied
Digital meets physical at Decorex Cape Town 2024 with inventive room sets bringing emojis to life.
Emojis are so deeply embedded in our daily communications that they have found their way into visual culture… and now the halls at the CTICC for Decorex Cape Town.
This year’s event will feature room sets uniquely curated to bring emojis to life in physical form. Visitors to the show can witness the way digital meets physical as prominent local designers take inspiration from the vibrant and playful world of emojis.
“While the inspiration is playful, the execution will be sophisticated and refined. The designs will not be overtly themed but will subtly incorporate emoji elements, showcasing the designers’ creativity and expertise,” explains Bielle Bellingham, Executive Creative Director of Decorex Africa.
The display at Decorex Cape Town will highlight the increasing intertwining of “phygital” worlds. The goal is to show how inspiration from digital culture can enrich today’s interior design and make it more relevant to consumers.
Taking up the challenge of translating emojis into inspiring physical spaces are two teams: one from Popstrukt and another comprising wooden flooring specialist Lalegno, working in collaboration with Rumour Has It interior brand architecture and RHi Curate.
POPSTRUKT
Popstrukt will be creating a themed interior space dubbed the Sweet Suite, which will reference the candy emoji.
Known for its colourful furniture with names like the Bon Bon Chest of Drawers and the Sugar Cube Cabinet, it’s easy to see the connection between this brand and its chosen emoji. Popstrukt is launching a new product as part of the Bon Bon range at the Sweet Suite and will also run a competition to win one of these products over the Decorex weekend.
Lalegno x Rumour Has It x RHi Curate
The Lalegno x Rumour Has It x RHi Curate team has chosen the feather and hut emojis as points of departure. Rumour Has It has planned a space that will be visually stunning and immersive, combining the allure of being in nature with the luxury of a curated “glamping” experience.
The design team from Rumour Has It chose the feather emoji because “feathers serve as reminders of the interconnectedness of all living beings, a delicate balance of ecosystems, and the need for stewardship and conservation. As symbols of biodiversity and environmental harmony, feathers inspire reverence for the natural world and a commitment to preserving diversity for future generations,” they say.
In the context of the South African bushveld, where the rhythms of nature dictate the ebb and flow of life, feathers “symbolise resilience and adaptation. By honouring the symbolism of feathers in the exhibition stand design, we pay homage to the rich tapestry of life that thrives in this ancient landscape,“ explains Rumour Has It.
Decorex Cape Town and Joburg
Experience this active shift towards impact design for yourself and join the designers and creatives paving the way to the future at Decorex Cape Town (6 to 9 June 2024 at the CTICC) and Decorex Joburg (1 to 4 August 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre) | decorex.co.za.
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