Arts Thread

Above: University of Nairobi Design Graduates 2019 1 & 2 Julie Adhiambo/ 3. Gabriel Njue/ 4.  Ronnie Mbugua  / 5. Denzel Kamau

This year’s University of Nairobi design students presented their final projects at the ADD Building on the school’s campus, giving members of the public and industry professionals the chance to see their illustration, graphic design, product, fashion and interior concepts. Our friends at Nairobi Design Week went along to report on the show.

Fashion graduate Julie Adhiambo created the Hakufana collection, which derives from the two Swahili words Hakuna and Kufanana, meaning ‘not looking the same’. Adhiambo uses traditional Japanese Shibori dyeing techniques to ensure that each garment features prints that differ slightly, making each one unique.

Product design graduate Gabriel Njue is inspired by African wildlife, specifically the big five. Using African materials such as locally-sourced cow hide leather, jacaranda tree wood and home-made clay, Njue has created a range of products including walking sticks, ceramic vessels and accessories.

Rose Chebet Koech (product) uses biodegradable materials including water hyacinth and fish leather, locally sourced from Lake Victoria to make environmentally friendly products to be used at baby showers.

Graphic design graduate Ronnie Mbugua created a deck of cards that explore the internal process of design, with a view to supporting young designers in reaching their potential. Denzel Kamau (graphic design) re-branded the) produced a marketing campaign for the Nairobi fast food chaing Burger Hut, which features posters and a video that celebrate customers’ memories of their first visit to a Burger Hut store.

Edwin Wainaina (illustration) created a series of images to be displayed within the Appleton Resort hotel during an African Nouveau Festival. The pieces, which draw inspiration from Ndebele patterns, explores four illustrative themes: scientific illustration, book illustration, print and painting.



Illustrator Kaviki Muema’s graduate project explores the psychological and physical effects of sexual violence, as well as myths and attitudes relating to sexual assault. Muema explains: ‘Myths and attitudes captured include that the victim was wearing something skimpy and therefore they were asking for it, male sexual violence victims do not suffer as much as females, that giving gifts entitles one to sexual favors and if a victim is drunk they probably had it coming. The work dispels the mentioned misguided attitudes and myths.’



Interior design graduate Sandra Akinyi was inspired by Ghanaian Kente patterns when designing the interior for a student hostel. The interior features bold, colourful geometric shapes, giving the space a sense of energy and optimism. Fellow interior design graduate James Kariuki seeks to combine African and Chinese cultures, using the principles of Feng Shui and mixing them with the aesthetics of traditional Ndebele art.



Report Courtesy of Adrian Jankowiak at Nairobi Design Week. To learn more about Nairobi Design Week visit www.nairobidesignweek.com and check out the School of the Arts and Design, University of Nairobi Facebook page.