One of the world’s most influential design minds is coming to Johannesburg. Nigerian-born, Switzerland-based architect and designer Charles O Job has been named Designer of the Year for Decorex Joburg 2025, and he’s bringing an exclusive exhibition and keynote talk to the city’s premier design showcase.
If his name doesn’t ring a bell yet, his work will. Job’s award-winning Sketch armchair, celebrated for its elegance and sustainable design, is permanently housed in the Vitra Design Museum in Germany and the Denver Art Museum in the US. Designed using a single repeating form that’s screwed together, Sketch solved one of design’s most enduring challenges: making furniture that’s functional, beautiful and environmentally conscious.
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Job’s commitment to simple innovation and sustainability is deeply rooted in his Lagos upbringing. “We used to collect found materials and transform them into objects of desire,” he says. “Now it’s called upcycling. We must have been ahead of the curve!”
Alongside his design work, Job lectures in Switzerland and serves on juries for global competitions, including the iF Design Awards, D&AD Awards, and the World Architecture Festival, helping to shape the future of design worldwide.
At Decorex Joburg (24–27 July at the Sandton Convention Centre), visitors can explore a curated exhibition of his most iconic chairs, including work shown in Paris and at the Dakar Design Biennale 2025, each piece addressing a unique cultural or functional challenge. His Future Talks keynote, titled Body of Work, takes place on Thursday, 24 July from 2 pm to 2:45 pm, offering a personal journey through childhood creativity, Swiss precision and global influence.
Job is also looking forward to connecting with local makers and creatives. “I’m excited to collaborate with South African producers who are passionate about contemporary African design,” he says.
The Future Talks programme runs across all four days and features top design voices from South Africa and beyond. Expect discussions on 3D printing, collaborative education, African craftsmanship and more, with speakers including Sinegugu Ngxongo (Bambizulu), Stephen Klein (Klein Concepts), Tracy Lee Lynch (Clout/SA), Bongisa Msutu (Greenside Design Centre), and artist Nwabisa Ntlokwana.
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