Africa’s inimitable beauty running down its streets and in the veins of its people truly inspires travelers as well as art and design enthusiasts.
My father visited Nairobi, Kenya, a long time ago, and he was awestruck by the fresh blast of their culture, urban and rural landscapes, and wildlife.
With regards to designing, graphic design in Africa is mostly culturally relevant. It means that they traditionally illuminate the African way of life, their unique design and cultural color sense, uncommon language symbols, and bright patterns.
However, these aren’t the only characteristics of African graphic design. Designers from this continent use modern techniques and infuse their works with a dash of contemporary styles.
Image Source: gifer.com
People around the world, including philosopher G. W. F. Hegel, have thought that Africa is an oral nation. Meaning, everything that had to be communicated was done so orally instead of visually.
Well, that’s not true.
Yes, storytelling has always been an integral part of the culture here–but messages, experiences, and expressions have been shared using drawings and designs as well. It’s just that hardly anyone explored African design as much as graphic designs from other countries got attention.
Let us take a look at some spectacular graphic design inspirations from the land of distinctive geological reliefs and indigenous people: AFRICA!
Osmond Tshuma is a designer and art director, originally from Zimbabwe. Apart from this, he has a knack for typography and illustration. Most of his work takes inspiration from his birthplace and his current residing city.
He has fused African design aesthetics with an abstract art style of design that is based more on holistic shapes rather than intricate details.
Image Source: Behance.com/Osmond Tshuma
Notice the color palette in his work, there are mostly bright hues and a basic graphic element as a circle (or dot) is arranged in an aboriginal art style.
Image Source: Behance.com/Osmond Tshuma
Image Source: Behance.com/Osmond Tshuma
Image Source: Behance.com/Osmond Tshuma
Karabo is an award-winning graphic designer and illustrator who creates a fusion of modern and traditional aesthetics of Africa into inspiring and exciting pieces of art and design.
She aims to spread her culture with her designs and represent the mundane life in what she says a beautiful way. This way, she wants to not only preserve African traditions but also celebrate them through designs.
Observe her work and you’ll see an imminent presence of geometric shapes and lines (wavy, confetti, zigzag, angular, straight). Studying the psychology of basic shapes will help you comprehend her work. These elements of design are put tactfully in branding and graphic materials as patterns, textures, and center-pieces.
Image Source: Behance.com/Karabo Poppy Moletsane
Image Source: Behance.com/Karabo Poppy Moletsane
Image Source: Behance.com/Karabo Poppy Moletsane
Image Source: Behance.com/Karabo Poppy Moletsane
Born in 1981, Karo Akpokiere had always been on a robust diet of drawing cartoons and comics, in and out of class. His passion was supported by his parents that motivated him further and he took a variety of courses in art and design.
His works blend design and fine art to highlight the minutiae of daily life with different underlying tones like humorous, political, and social. He is a versatile designer who loves to explore trends, exercise self-discovery practices, and aims for progress while adapting to new attitudes and interests.
His work has been displayed in some well-known exhibitions.
Image Source: Behance.com/Karo Akpokiere
Image Source: Behance.com/Karo Akpokiere
Image Source: Behance.com/Karo Akpokiere
In 2013 Ted Talks, educator, typographer, and graphic designer Saki Mafundikwa said, “It is also time that designers in Africa stop looking outside. They’ve been looking outward for a long time, yet what they were looking for has been right here within grasp, right within them.”
From his point of view, it is evident that Africa has much more to offer to its design community than any other continent or country.
Saki Mafundikwa wrote a book in 2004 titled, “Afrikan Alphabets: the Story of Writing in Africa”. He also produced a documentary film, “Shungu: The Resilience of a People.”
Mafundikwa is a prominent figure in graphic design and has inspired many students to pursue art and design as a career path by establishing the Zimbabwe Institute of Visual Arts (ZIVA) in Harare.
Image Source: University of Florida/College of the Arts
Image Source: University of Florida/College of the Arts
Graphic designer and Design Professor, Chaz Maviyane-Davies, creates collages by combining images and ideas to address some of the most pertinent issues of the world: human rights, discrimination, social responsibility, healthcare, and the environment.
He has been part of several exhibitions, workshops and lectures, juries, and has received many awards for his insightful designs.
Image Source: Another Africa
Image Source: Aiga
Image Source: Aiga
Self-made graphic designer and digital artist, Sindiso Nyoni is also known as R!OT who works within the realms of street art, activism, and illustrator.
Through his designs, Nyoni tackles Africa’s gravest issues with his visual art skills and a street-art style.
His work has been displayed locally and globally in some of the top museums and galleries.
Image Source: Dribbble.com/R!OT
Image Source: Behance.com/Sindiso Nyoni
Image Source: Behance.com/Sindiso Nyoni
Graphic designer and Illustrator, Sonwabo Valashiya has taken inspiration from African design aesthetics and from the African way of life. Valashiya aims to convey the story of her land through her illustrative pieces while also impacting the world positively with her representations and expressions.
Image Source: Behance.com/Sonwabo Valashiya
Image Source: Behance.com/Sonwabo Valashiya
Image Source: Behance.com/Sonwabo Valashiya
The list of graphic designers born and working in Africa has increased over time since Africans realized the importance of the role of design in communicating their thoughts, opinions, expressions, and realities to the world.
With graphic design, we know Africa, and the talents pouring from it, in a special way.
If you have seen a stunning portfolio from an African graphic designer, share the name and tell us what you find inspiring about their work.
Share your input below in the comments.
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