An artistic spin on home and office accessories

This article is part of a series we are running ahead of the Mada Marketplace event to feature the participating vendors.

Office spaces can be dreary, dull shades of brown or gray. Attempts to brighten up the space can fall short of creating enough vibrancy to inspire, and may be limited to a decidedly “colorful” red wall here or a green beanbag there.

With the amount of time spent at the workplace and the level of constant creativity now required for young or established companies to remain competitive, it’s important to create cozier, more vibrant surroundings that can be both comfortable and stimulating. 

Three up-and-coming merchandise brands may hold the answer to assembling a more engaging space at home or work, with hints of original art integrated in their product designs, bursts of color in their branding, and notes of Egyptian cultural references on stationary, mugs and tea cups, aprons, pillowcases, trays and more.

RNDM Designs, The Design Hub and Dokan take quite different approaches in adding these design flares to their merchandise, but what they share in common is that each piece tells a story — either through the inspirational element of the artwork it carries, or by calling up a childhood memory of an old film character. The three brands will be showcasing and selling their products at the Mada Marketplace this coming Saturday.

The brain child of Omar Rifaat, RNDM Designs’ current line of merchandise features the work of artist Hassan Hassan, but the brand’s expansion plans include getting more artists to contribute to the new collections.

For a long time, Rifaat had a vision of creating products that incorporate art in its different forms. He met Hassan in 2014, and the combination of the vision and the art prompted them to set up RNDM Designs. Hassan would bring the art and his established fan base, while Rifaat would bring his print experience.

According to Hassan, RNDM doesn’t stand for anything and is indeed pronounced random, adding that it was a “purely aesthetic decision based on how the letters look.”

On the brand, Hassan says, “Right now we would classify it as artist merchandise, since we only print a limited number of each item and it is only printed once. This means that items are limited to that collection, and will change every season.”

The current line of artistic work is adorned on mugs and notebooks, but by the time of the Mada Marketplace, iPhone covers, coasters and other products covering both stationary and interiors should be ready.

The brand has already made a name for itself for being fresh and daring, things that also characterize the work of Hassan as an artist.

A reflection of the sleek black-and-white logo, the words “Yawn” and “Stay in the Light” are written in cursive black letters on starkly white notebooks. While the designs are simple, they are also practical and innovative — an easy sell to a younger clientele.

Two mugs have direct messages for any colleague who interrupts your first cup of coffee: “Kill me or them,” and “Shhhh.”

The word “high” is written on another mug, reflecting a different sentiment, but similarly straightforward. Definitely my kind of morning coffee mug.

The designs and the art they carry are representative of a growing target market that finds the conventional tedious, and instead strives for bold novelty.

Another brand that adds a fun spin on stationary supplies is The Design Hub. Their “I am a …” line of notebooks is pretty popular, and an easy way to let people know what you do: I am a doctor, banker, photographer, designer and so on. Their colorful binders are a personalized treat.

My favorite is the “cinema obsessed” notebook, which will definitely be my first purchase during the Mada Marketplace.

The Design Hub also makes coasters, key chains, mugs, greeting cards and fridge magnets — pretty much anything that can be designed. As they say, “A coaster or a notebook can be both useful, fun and a modish addition to your home or office.”

Also according to their Facebook page, The Design Hub “offers a unique experience in graphics, print and digital.” They help companies with branding and design unique business cards as well as colorful printed material for conferences, like banners, badges and flyers.

In line with the trend of infusing touches of Egyptian culture in designs, Dokan products are a familiar and quirky throwback to some of our favorite childhood memories, characters, films and actors.

The way they describe it, the brand is an “Egyptian modern fusion in design and products.”

Who as a child didn't watch al-Leilah el-Kebira or Fattouta's Ramadan riddles? For a generation submerged in the pop culture of the 1980s, Dokan plays on this trend of creating modern products and designs that mix cultural authenticity with functionality.

Specialized mostly in home accessories, the collection at Dokan’s shop in Mohandiseen screams Egyptian pop art, such as tea cups and handmade rugs depicting Bouggy and TamTam, the two most beloved television puppets. Cushions, shopping bags, hand-painted trays and coasters feature popular Egyptian phrases and silhouettes of famous actors from the golden era of Egyptian cinema.

With prices ranging from LE100-400, these products are pretty affordable and could make for some great gift ideas. Place your order online and Dokan will make a home delivery.      

There are also cotton t-shirts with cool Arabic sayings and quotes from movies, such as “Ana Horra” (I am free) and “Ana al-Shaab” (I am the people). Pillowcases, cushions and aprons can also be found, all with the same Egyptian flavor.

Read more about why Mada Masr is organizing a marketplace event here.