Future Fossil – PopSockets Concept Store
As one of the most popular and well-loved phone accessory brands worldwide, PopSockets invited Yatofu to design its first-ever physical retail space worldwide. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s distinctive products and the user’s exploratory journey, Yatofu discovered that the process of uncovering one’s favorite PopSockets item mirrors an archaeological excavation—full of curiosity and surprise. This realization became the foundation of the design, transforming this sense of exploration into a tangible and immersive spatial experience.
Through research, Yatofu proposed the concept of the “Future Fossil,” shaping the space as an imaginative excavation site where visitors uncover the “fossils” of the present and future.
Inspired by the stratified process of excavation, the design adopts a subtractive approach—carving out negative forms layer by layer to define functional zones.
This method of shaping the space, reminiscent of rock quarrying, creates a dynamic and multidimensional experience from every angle and perspective.
The primary material of pink terrazzo was chosen for its smooth, polished quality and warm visual softness, echoing the playfulness and vibrancy of the PopSockets brand while establishing a distinct and memorable visual identity. Below the product display line, algae green metal elements take the form of scattered, monolithic “stones,” reminiscent of an excavation site’s unearthed boulders.
These striking forms serve both display and storage functions, offering a rich contrast to the terrazzo and adding visual tension and depth to the space.
Yatofu designed an innovative product display and storage system exclusively for PopSockets. This system not only maintains the integrity of the space’s design language but also encourages visitors to touch, experiment with, and explore the products—enhancing the interactive and experiential aspects of the retail environment.
Following the completion of the concept store in Shanghai, Yatofu continued its collaboration with PopSockets, designing additional retail spaces. Each location maintains the “Future Fossil” concept while embracing the cultural and contextual nuances of its respective city—enriching the brand’s offline retail presence with diversity and uniqueness
Photography: Wen Studio