On this podcast, we interrogate african aesthetics and african design philosophy with african/black design professionals, african design enthusiasts/advocates, educators, creatives and storytellers living and practicising in africa and the african diaspora. We talk about how their work and design process intersects with their African Aesthetic; and what the african aesthetic means to them both as individuals and as members of their communities.
Our platform centers research on african aesthetics and african design philosophy in africa and the african diasporas. We encourage dialogue with and between african/black design professionals and creatives aiming to inspire young and upcoming black/african designers and create an authentic, educative, supportive, professional and sustainable community.
We are open to collaborations and are glad to engage in projects, seminars, workshops and other engagements that center african aesthetics and african design research.
Matsinde
This ancient Africanism at the heart of most African cultures explains how one exists as an individual because of the connection, support, and contribution they have with, from, and make to their communities. For me, re-immersing myself into the world of African creativity has been a homecoming that was long overdue.
—Tapiwa Matsinde
Tapiwa Matsinde is an author, an independent curator, a content creator, a design consultant and design business mentor. Storytelling is at the heart of what she does. She draws a lot of inspiration from her Zimbabwean heritage and the rich and diverse cultural heritage from the African continent and African diaspora.
Atabong
An empathetic approach at the governmental level asks what the problems are that we have in society today and who we need to educate to solve those problems? If we do that, case studies and projects in schools will reflect what is going on in those societies. But when we blindly “borrow” an education system, we also inherit examples which are not relatable. Once you learn that you do not have any practical application of what you learn; of course you will end up on the streets
—Ateh Atabong
Ateh Atabong is a Pharmacist, a Business Strategist, a Business Development Manager, Mentor and design thinking enthusiast. He is the co-founder and CEO of SAWA, an agribusiness company based in Norway, that imports highly nutritional and high quality nutritional and medicinal ingredients from Africa to the European market.
Tukacungurwa
There is a social- cultural erosion going on in our cultures today. It's desperately disappointing and a challenge for Africa. If you look at what we define as sustainable architecture, it’s actually about connecting vernacular architecture with a more modern interpretation. I would love to see the built environment begin to embrace vernacular architecture with a modern twist, not in a copy paste way, but integrating technology with our own cultural heritage to make something that belongs to Uganda and the greater African context.
—Jesse Tukacungurwa
Jesse Tukacungurwa is a Registered Architect, with over 15 years of experience in building projects design, project management and supervision. He is the director of design at ONCEPTi Architects in Kampala Uganda; a firm that he started 12 years ago.
Oshinowo
African design must be localized— architecture that is being designed for Africa by Africans who understand Africa. That is where we need to get— and we should be able to fuse those two different worlds( design and context). This is where the tension exists.
—Tosin Oshinowo
Tosin Oshinowo is a Nigerian architect, Designer, Creative Entrepreneur, Culture Enthusiast, History Junkie & Mummy. Tosin holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Kingston University, a Masters in Urban Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture London and an Architecture Postgraduate Diploma from the Architecture Association, London.
adengo
The State of Design and Architecture at this particular moment is quite optimistic. Unlike many cities in the West which are much older and hence, most project are being renovations, here on the continent, there is much more potential to build our cities, despite there also being some challenges.
—Adengo Doreen
Doreen Adengo is an Architect based in Kampala, Uganda where she runs an architectural firm called Adengo architecture. Much of Doreen’s work is focused on communicating the value of professional design services in African cities.
Turinayo
When you are working with vulnerable populations such as those living in slum settlements, with poor housing and drainage solutions, you truly start to see the implications of bad design and the harm it causes on people’s livelihood.
—Abigail Turinayo
Abigail thrives on Creativity! As a practicing fine artist, who then studied architecture from Makerere University in Kampala Uganda, worked and lived in both Europe and Africa, she is extremely passionate about the role design plays in innovatively creating order and solving many of the world's complexities.
WYATT
If you fail to represent yourself, someone will come up with an idea of who they think you are and put it out there
—Laverne Wyatt
Laverne Wyatt is a graphic designer, communications manager, author, and social entrepreneur from Durban, South Africa. She currently resides in Norway where she works with advertising & design firms in South Africa, Malta and Norway. As a communications manager, Laverne creates, implements and oversees marketing solutions that communicate and promote the work of her clients. Her clients span various industries from construction to oil and gas companies; home health and beauty; to Start Up and governmental organisations.
Mugendi
Afrika with a “K” is a co-created narrative of Africa from the continent...it’s a homegrown idea—dispelling the danger of a single story—a view of Africa from the inside, looking out! We need to expand our understanding of people on the continent—We should add to the discourse of Africa. We need to enrich the narrative with something that is home grown.
—Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa
Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa is a transdisciplinary industrial designer, consultant, educator and researcher. He studied in Kenya, the USA, India and South Africa and holds postgraduate qualifications in Industrial Design, Higher Education, and Universal Design.
agboada
Embracing change, being open to new ideas such as adapting learning goals to match the needs and contexts of students is critical. Every generation is different— this means that people and their needs are changing across time. Adaptability is key in design education.
—Jude Agboada
Jude Yaw Agboada; a visual communication designer, educator and branding expert from Ghana. He currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri and teaches communication design at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri.
Ssemwogerere
In this part of the world (Africa), the more challenges we face, the more many of us feel pushed to the edge. We are no longer interested in complaining about our problems.we should strive to derive our own solutions and pursue them.
—Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere
Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere is a Registered and Practicing Architect, researcher, project manager ,lecturer and entrepreneur. He holds a Bachelor's degree in architecture from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, a Masters degree in Engineering and & Technology and a PhD in construction management from Rostov State University of Civil Engineering, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.