Rising Stars: Martin Tallie and Zani Alberts

COMPILED BY Phendu Kuta

The pieces designed by this pair and their Deft brand are sustainable, practical and great-looking, and exemplify top teamwork.

Qeberha-based duo Martin Tallie and Zani Alberts and their brand Deft are at the forefront of contemporary furniture design. Established in 2020 as a creative outlet, Deft’s design principles spring from Martin and Zani’s architectural studies, and their consciously crafted business philosophy is embedded in their entire manufacturing process, with the duo leading with a hands-on approach.

Furthermore, the 2021 Design Indaba Emerging Creative laureates have an ongoing collaboration with Greenpop, an environmental organisation that’s focused on forest restoration. This means that for every Deft furniture piece sold, a tree is planted. Here the duo chat about how they complement each other, and achieve a balance in terms of practicality and aesthetics, their personally preferred pieces and more.

* Every day is different. Being in a small team means balancing many different roles. Most of our time is spent personally crafting our furniture. We remain conscious of our processes, constantly communicating new ideas and jotting down design details throughout the day.

* Good design emerges when problem-solving is approached holistically – with precision, relatability and a clear identity. It’s important to execute ideas with quality craftsmanship and ensure that both are linked to context.

* There seems to be a shift towards softer geometries, with bolder colours and textures, in both architecture and product design. We think this is set to be a major trend in the next few years.

* There’s a lot to learn from simply observing people. Our design inspiration is a by-product of living and being present every day, in whichever environment we happen to find ourselves.

* Among all the pieces we’ve designed, our personal favourites include our latest Avondmaal dining table – a relatable staple piece that’s strong but not intrusive, and that demands acknowledgement; and the Pronk server – a playful piece that engages the viewer. Every time someone sees the server, they have the urge to run their fingers along its ridges. It’s truly tactile – we love that.

* Decluttering would do more for your space than the addition of another pillow or throw. It’s the quickest way to refresh a room.

* The architects/designers we find most inspiring are: Martin: Guillaume Pienaar of Pinard Architecture in Knysna. His mindfulness of material use and practical detailing can add great value to humble spaces. Zani: I find the work of local designers like Jo Noero, Wolff Architects and DAM most relatable. They all associate with a bolder yet simplistic approach and a keen eye for detail.

* Our favourite room at home is the living room – it has the best view overlooking a courtyard garden.

* Even if money were no object, we would value well-designed spaces more than artefacts. That said, there’s something about Dokter and Misses’ Moonjelly lamp…

* Approaching our work from both an aesthetic and a functional perspective forms a duality within our process. Initially, we emphasise the visual language and detailing of a piece, but as it reaches completion, we prioritise practicality and functionality. Martin is practically inclined, and Zani is more visually focused – it’s a good balance.

* Our design philosophy could be summed up as “consciously crafted”. It’s about making sure that we approach the design and the making with intent. Furniture plays a functional role in everyday life; it holds our memories, such as gathering around a dining table with family and friends. We’re grateful to play a part in creating that. We aspire to craft special pieces that live in our memories, just as vibrant as the memories themselves.

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