Daniel Emma
Designs that are more than “just nice”
WORDS // ANNABELLE CLOROSD
aniel Emma — formally known
as Daniel To and Emma Aiston —
established their namesake design
studio in 2008. After a “series of
serendipitous events” and completing their
studies at the University of South Australia,
the duo decided to set up their own practice
as a vehicle to express their thoughts
through design.
Now residents at the JamFactory, a not-for-
profi t creative hub in Seppeltsfi eld, Adelaide,
Daniel and Emma have been hard at work
doing what they do best — creating. Along
with producing their own pieces, the pair have
worked with a melange of like-minded people
and brands, including COS, Svbscription,
Petite Furniture, Hay and Tait. They’ve also
designed one-off pieces and limited runs for
cultural institutions including the National
Gallery of Victoria and Cooper Hewitt in
New York.
From furniture and lighting to accessories
and textiles, Daniel Emma are all about
working to a style they describe as “just
nice”. “We look to create the unexpected
from objects using simple forms and drawing
infl uence and insight from the diverse culturethat Australia presents us with,” says Daniel.
“For us, it is about longevity and creating
honest work that is well crafted and will stay
with their owners forever,” says Emma.
With such an impressive range on off er, it’s
hard to pick favourites. But when push comes
to shove, there are a few pieces that take the
cake. “Our Cork Cone and Magnetic Tower for
Hay, Cherry light for Petite Furniture, Pick n
Mix table and bench for Tait, as well as our
self-produced D.E Desk pieces and soft chair
[are our most popular designs],” says Daniel.
The design studio recently celebrated eight
years since its conception, and the brand is
fast gaining momentum. We can’t wait to see
what’s next.
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