When the world’s top museums house your work and global design competitions call on you to judge innovation, you stand among the design elite. Such is the acclaim for Charles O. Job, the Nigerian-born, Switzerland-based architect and designer, who will headline Decorex Joburg 2025 as the Designer of the Year, taking place from 24–27 July 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
Best known for his revolutionary Sketch armchair, Job has redefined sustainable furniture design. The award-winning chair—crafted from four identical components screwed together—now resides permanently in both the Vitra Design Museum (Germany) and Denver Art Museum (USA). The design allows for flat-pack shipping, ease of assembly, and individual part replacement, marrying form, function, and sustainability.
“The simple innovation in Sketch is that I use one single form and repeat it four times to form the different parts of the chair,” says Charles O. Job. “All four parts are then simply screwed together.”
The origins of Job’s sustainable mindset trace back to his childhood in Lagos:
“Sustainability is what we used to practise when, as children, we would collect locally found materials and transform them into objects of desire,” Job reflects. “Now it’s called upcycling. We must have been ahead of the curve!”
Job, a lecturer in architectural design theory at University of Applied Sciences in Bern, has served on juries for leading global design awards, including:
- iF Design Awards
- D&AD (Design & Art Direction) Awards
- World Architecture Festival
His recent projects include chairs commissioned for the Dakar Design Biennale 2025 and works acquired for the Studio Museum in Harlem, a project by David Adjaye’s office.
Decorex Joburg 2025: Experience Job’s Vision Firsthand
At Decorex Joburg 2025, visitors can explore Job’s design philosophy through his exhibition stand showcasing large-format imagery and select furniture pieces from international showcases, including a piece displayed in Dakar.
He will also deliver a keynote titled “Body of Work” on the Future Talks Stage:
- 🗓 Thursday 24 July
- 🕑 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
“I’m looking forward to making meaningful industry connections,” Job shares. “South Africa has incredible talent, and I’m excited to collaborate with local creatives and producers interested in contemporary African design.”
Future Talks Programme: “Design Makes the Future”
Job’s keynote is part of a four-day Future Talks programme, spotlighting visionary design topics and leading voices in African and global design. Other confirmed speakers include:
- Sinegugu Ngxongo (Bambizulu)
- Stephen Klein (Klein Concepts)
- Tracy Lee Lynch (Clout/SA)
- Bongisa Msutu (Greenside Design Center)
- Nwabisa Ntlokwana (artist)
Explore the full Future Talks schedule:
👉 Future Talks Programme
Event Details
🗓 Show Dates: 24–27 July 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Daily
📍 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude Street, Sandton, South Africa
🎟 Tickets (Online):
- Adults: R160
- Pensioners/Students: R130
- Children 12-16: R50
- Under 12: FREE
- VIP Experience: R350
🎟 Get Tickets Online
🎟 Tickets (At the Door):
- Adults: R170
- Pensioners/Students: R140
- Children 12-16: R60
- Under 12: FREE
- VIP Experience: R360
👥 Trade Visitors:
- Pre-Registered Trade: FREE
- Onsite Trade: R160
- VIP Trade Experience: R390
📝 Register as Trade Visitor
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