Deco

Deco is a term used in several different contexts. In general language, it can be a shorthand for decoration or decorative elements. In design and art discourse, Deco most often refers to Art Deco, a major international design movement of the 1920s and 1930s. Art Deco originated in Paris and spread globally, featuring geometric forms, symmetrical layouts, streamlined shapes, and the use of modern materials such as chrome, glass, and lacquer. The style drew on a range of influences, including Cubism, Futurism, and ancient and non-Western aesthetics, and it appeared across architecture, furniture, graphic design, fashion, and consumer products.

In popular culture, Deco is also a personal nickname or stage name. The most well-known bearer is Deco (Anderson Luís de Sousa), born in 1977, a Brazilian-born Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He rose to prominence at Porto, then played for Barcelona and Chelsea, and is noted for his creativity and technical skill.

Beyond these uses, Deco can appear as a brand name or shorthand in various regional contexts, often referring to decorative finishes, stylistic trends, or product lines. The term remains widely recognized in discussions of design history, fashion, and sports, where its associations with ornament, modernity, or individual achievement may vary by region and era.