Reinventing Indigenous West African Fabric Design for Contemporary Commercial Application

Abstract

This study explores and reflects on the potential of global commercial application of indigenous West African fabric design in the middle to high-end interior textiles and surfaces. The study adopts design theory which encourages innovation and creativity in concepts for effective solutions. Theoretically, ideas have been utilized as a method of bringing to light the veiled aspects of practice in indigenous West African fabric production alongside its diverse and complex cultural connections. There is a practical component of the study utilizes a series of ‘collaborations’ with technology, new textile materials, color resources and global trends to generate forms or visual language that is then translated into commercial designs based on indigenous West African fabric themes. The experimentation has adapted traditional artistic and graphic aesthetics (symbols, design motifs, totems and insignia), creatively manipulating them via digital technology and using a mechanized printing process for completion. The designs exemplify a modern adaptation of indigenous West African design symbols for wider global markets which is hoped, will accelerate the transformation of such design forms for the contemporary market. It is anticipated that the new designs will continue to re-define indigenous West African textile expressions and their applications globally.