The Rising Talents of Design Joburg

Design Joburg is Johannesburg’s premier design event showcasing the leaders in décor and design and the very best of international and local design. We bring you the latest with one-on-one interviews with some of the rising talents that will be partaking in the show this year! Let’s meet them!

Jacoline Sema

Design newcomer Jacoline Sema is a mentee to Blacksmith at this year’s Design Joburg, who together are creating a bar and lounge area and the creation of their feature within the CoLabs section of the show, presented in collaboration with Fired Earth Paint.

What theme are you working with and where did you draw inspiration from in creating your concept?
Jacoline: Our theme is a fuse of traditional and contemporary Afro-chic. Our concept was influenced by the different cultures found in South Africa plus the crafting and design methods used by our ancestors. We’ve infused this with the more contemporary use of materials and bespoke pieces.

Tshepo Sealetsa:

We also spoke to Joburg based burgeoning interior designer Tshepo Sealetsa about his feature within the CoLabs section of the show, presented in collaboration with Fired Earth Paint.

What would you consider to be the highlight of your CoLab stand that would make visitors want to visit it?
Tshepo: A highlight would be the central room of our feature that will be made entirely out of fabric. It’s still a concept but I am crossing my fingers and toes that it works out. Conceptually it looks amazing and immediately grabs your attention. I love its curiosity factor.

A further highlight for me personally, is the opportunity to work with Joe Van Rooyen and his team. It’s been such a dream, I mean as an up and coming designer my dream has always been to work alongside the best and I feel that’s exactly what is happening with this CoLabs experience at Design Joburg.

LEFT: Jacoline Sema, Tuami Zulu, Tshepo Sealetsa, Jadene Naidoo (Middle) and Praveen Dinna

Jadene Naidoo and Praveen Dinna:

Praveen Dinna and Jadene Naidoo are mentees to Adrian Morris of Design Partnership who are creating an entertainment area within an urban living space.

What are you known for?
Jadene: Spaces by Jape has a philosophy of style that is fixed on embracing the mixture of culture in South Africa through innovation of technology, the brand image and functionality of the user experiencing the interior.

What are you planning for your CoLab at Design Joburg?
Jadene: We are planning to solve a compact urban living space with modes of entertainment, luxury and utility.

Tuami Zulu:

Tuami Zulu is working with Tristan du Plessis to create a living room and kitchen feature.

What do you see as the ultimate trend right now?
Tuami: My current ultimate trend is “the living office” – a human-centred approach to work and workplace design. There is heaps of research and case studies in support of this trend, the findings of which are both practical and radical towards the transformation of business as we know it.

What are you planning for your CoLab at Design Joburg?
Tuami: Studio A’s Tristan du Plessis and I are planning to create a feature that highlights a real-life experience, spatial harmony, a design that works and a space that facilitates escape.

Contact: Design Joburg