Nairobi Design Week | Kenyan design community | Afrika to the world!

Welcome to the Community!

Nairobi Design Week is a community platform and design studio for creatives to grow together and collaborate on meaningful projects.

Links to the ‘Afrika Design’ podcast, projects, past festivals and other stuff below.

Podcast

Conversations with those shaping the future of Afrikan Design.

Recent Posts

Sexual reproductive health with BENEDICTA UWERU Afrika Design | ep.8

Have dreams that will impact not just you but your community.

Music with an Afrikan mindset by PHINOSHEY 🇰🇪 | Sun from Kibera album | AFRIKA DESIGN ep.7

‘Sun from Kibera’ is the debut album from Phinoshey, a self taught producer, writer, and rapper from Kenya. His musical inspiration pulls from hip-hop, soul, and jazz.

Disruptive education with BLESSING AKPAN 🇳🇬 | Afrika Design ep.6

Blessing is a Google Certified Educator, Founder of ‘The Innovative Child Network’ and Ambassador for HundrED.org, and still studying for her Undergraduate degree. She’s an inspiration to learners and teachers.

Barry holding one of his lampshades

The Diversity of Bamboo

Bamboo knowledge needs to be more accessible to creatives so as to encourage its use and utilize its diverse artistic qualities.

Limited Offers

Made by Kenya products from the community

Song out now!

We made a music video with 50+ creatives!

Virtual Exhibits

Showcase at Dutch Design Week 2020

What if Afrikans reconnected with outer world beings?

Community Profiles

Discover designers, artists and organisations in our community.

Nadia Wamunyu

old car in garage, steampunk afrofuturistic

Bénir Africa – Tim Gichuru

3d printed part by kijenzi

Kijenzi

the everyday installation at kampala design week

Kampala Design Week

James Waruta

L’Équipée

Kenya Museum Society

ARTS THREAD

Social Communities

Get in touch on our social platforms.

@mbuguakimaniart is a Kenyan-British artist, who h

@mbuguakimaniart is a Kenyan-British artist, who has been working full-time on his artistic practice for more than 5 years. 🥳

"I have a passion for learning, experimenting and innovating. I’ve lived in Kenya, the UK and Afghanistan, returning full-time to Nairobi in 2009. I’ve a BA in International Relations and an MSc in Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict from London University as well as Diploma in Management."
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"Much of my recent work has had two distinct themes: race and gender."

His ‘human series’, mainly in woodcut prints, show the absurdity of a single identity perspective by using vibrant colours and complex patterns which create a conscious ambiguity.
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"There is a degree of questioning about sexual identity and a fluidity which at times makes gender uncertain, as well as calling into question ‘a’ racial identity."
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His ‘fish for sex’ series highlights the plight of, largely, women forced into selling their bodies in order to provide food for themselves and their families.
It is a growing issue in many parts of Africa and his work is intended to raise #awareness of this often ignored issue.

10 % of the proceeds from @mbuguakimaniart 's work goes through World Connect to the No Sex for Fish women’s group in Western Kenya. You can also support them directly.
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#Africanartists #EastAfricanartists #Africancontemporaryart #Kenyanartists #artforsocialchange #africanartcollectors #ArtinAfrica #Artisttalk #Artconversations #Paintings #dicoverart #artlovers

@khamsadesign makes contemporary items inspired b

@khamsadesign makes contemporary items inspired by African and global influences.

All of their products are made by local craftsmen; fabrics and leather are locally sourced.

Not only do they create limited editions of trendy #fashion and #homeaccessories but they also mentor their suppliers to offer you the best quality products.

Some of their products include their #leather Blixen Slippers, KIBERA spoons which are made in Kibera slum by an amazing worshop (made in recycled brass and glass beads from Ghana) Plus Lamps from both Kilifi and Kibera too! 😃

The last frame; their KAWA Boxes are originally used to transport second-hand clothing that is sold in Nairobi markets.
Made of #recycled cardboard and aluminum, they are strong and durable and perfect as a side table or a stool chair.

#madeinkenya #frenchdesign #slowfashion #handcrafted #travellovers #Instastyle #instafashion #Sustainabledecoration #Craft #Handmade #weekendshopping#madeinkenya #frenchdesign #slowfashion #handcrafted #travellovers #Instastyle #instafashion #Sustainabledecoration #Craft #Handmade #weekendshopping

@phinosheyelber recently shared his experiences an

@phinosheyelber recently shared his experiences and challenges as a rapper with his style in the streets of Kibera, Kayole & Mathare such as comments on how he should write in swahili or try out genres like #gengetone.
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"I'm doing it with an African mindset not the western countries mindset."
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" I hope to #inspire and #educate people through my music," he says.
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The cover art was done by the talented @cganimations.ke.
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Listen to his latest album "Sun from Kibera" @phinosheyelber and our one on one #albumreview with him through the link in @afrika.design bio! 🔗😎.

#kenyanmusic #playkemusic #playkenyanmusic #hiphopmusic #hiphopcharts #newmusic #afrikadesignpodcast #phinoshey #kenyanhiphop #africanhiphop #ketotheworld🇰🇪 #africanmusic #africanmusicdaily #mondaymotivation #dailymotivation

@daniel_unspecified is an Artist and an Architectu

@daniel_unspecified is an Artist and an Architectural Designer.
He sketches and draws Unspecified subjects mostly illustrations drawing inspiration from daily life and fiction movies.

You can spot several #superhero sketches in his work and one from #piratesofthecaribbean !

He also takes part in #drawitinyour style challenges and has been doing a series of #inktober illustrations too.

He has #original sketches and sometimes dabbles in architecture and interior design.

Ps. Frame 2 is a #Reminder to help your immune system by following a healthful, balanced diet filled with lots of fruits and vegetables.😁

#digitalillustration #illustrator #africanartist #africanillustrator #digitalartist #illustration #digitalart #illustratorsofinstagram #AfrikanDesign #NairobiDesignWeek #AfricanDesign #AfricanDesigners #DesignIsForEveryone #DesignKenya #MadeByKenya #digitalillustrator #africancontemporaryartists #artdiscover #illustrationartists #illustrationartist #illustrated #illustrate

The #NDW2019 festival theme was Culture & Heritag

The #NDW2019 festival theme was Culture & Heritage.
We held exhibits that debuted in the Entrance Gallery at the Nairobi National Museum where they stayed for six weeks.

Outer World Women, asked some of Nairobi Design Week’s favourite, East African female artists, illustrators and designers to create a piece inspired around the theme of Africans reconnecting to outer world beings, in collaboration with @africanouveaufest .

We also had @jamesmshaw, a fine #projectsdesigner who held #interactiveworkshops and had an exhibition "The plastic Scene" which exhibited a #plastic library where people could learn more about the materials.
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Grishon Ngare of Brickhouse concepts's Maasai selfie guy became a hit with everyone from students to celebrities, and made appearances on national media.
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The sculpture allowed visitors to place their phone in his hand and crowd around for a selfie.
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Through the African tradition of storytelling, NEON x 98 Crafted discovered and translated local habits into objects co-designed with artisans, supported by the British Council’s ‘East Africa Arts’ Programme, an annual open call for 18-35 year old artists, organisations and collectives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, South Sudan, Sudan and Tanzania.
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Captured on 35mm film by Aisha Mugo, a series of 15 portraits showcased Kenyan womxn with a global awareness of urban narratives, together with their personal stories of Culture & Heritage grounded in relevant contemporary issues. @matri_archi
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Other exhibitions included @wearerefushe, @greenobi254
'the things that we do' and a fun filled #freemindssession! 😁
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#AfrikanDesign #NairobiDesignWeek #AfricanDesign #AfricanDesigners #DesignIsForEveryone #DesignKenya #MadeByKenya

KIBERA GHOST RIDER. By @kevoabbrastyle . In the m

KIBERA GHOST RIDER. By @kevoabbrastyle
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In the midst of #COVID19, life changed and there was little time to adjust to a new normal. Food was scarce & movement was limited due to the government imposed measurements to control the outbreak.

Lucky enough in KIBERA, residents seemed to enjoy stunt ride entertainment from a half masked #futuristic stylish individual whose identity has been unknown for awhile.

The lead of “KIBERA GHOST RIDER’’ a subculture popularly known by the youths got to reveal his face &fashion style that compliments his cool #upcycled #futuristic motorbike dubbed KINYAMBI.

He was spotted making rounds transportating food to families & offering quick transportation services to the people who were out before 7:00 PM which was the set curfew time. His availability and ability to be everywhere came in handy to his people. Meet BAQTERIA.
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The designers choice of direction with the costume is harnessed from his background and upbringing in Kawangware, where wires, discarded electronics, motherboards & scrap metal are a common from the streets and garbage deposit points and he collect such items for his creative process.

@kevoabbrastyle niche of creating &curating costumes is from #upcycling and #recycling of discarded items and sourcing colorful fabrics. These are some of the aesthetics that are evident through characters, props & wearable costumes in his past projects MACICIO, GIKOSH and K.D.F KINYAMBI’ in this case, serves as a street symbol for unity, designed in Kawangware with #upcycled materials from Dandora, Karibangi,Mathare and assembled in Kibera. KIBERA GHOST RIDER a living character echoed through designed costumes & props.

Photography+retouching : @tintseh
Model : @dennizzo_baqteria

#africanphotography #Africanphotographers #kenyanphography #kenyanphotograpers #costumedesign #Africancostumedesigners #Africanpropdesigners #photolove #photographs #phtography #photographers #photographylovers #Aesthetics #Composition #ExclusiveShots

@knottedinkenya uses Kenyan materials to create on

@knottedinkenya uses Kenyan materials to create one of a kind decorative pieces to brighten every corner of your home.
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The origin of Macramé is generally attributed to Arabic weavers during the 13th century, using decorative knots to finish the loose ends of hand-woven textiles.

However, decorative knot-tying can also be traced back to third-century China on ceremonial textiles as well as wall hangings.
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@knottedinkenya applies the same techniques, concentrating on highlighting Kenyan material. All string, #recyled glass, wood, beads and pots are made buy #local #artisans.
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From hanging plant pots, bathroom storage, wine holders to potted plant creations.
Each piece carefully designed and lovingly hand made. No two pieces are the same so these unique works of art make the perfect #present for others or even more perfect for yourself!
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#Artisans #ArtisanDesign #MadebyArtisans #handmade #artisanmade #artisanfashion #madebyhand #locallymade #artisanproducts #craft #artisancraft

"The most important part about music is it taps in

"The most important part about music is it taps into emotions which words cannot. It speaks a different language."

Brian Amimo, better known under the alias, @lunodavinci, is a 21-year-old music producer from Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to his art.

He recently featured in @afrika.design
Podcast with @phinosheyelber whom he helped with his latest album "Sun from Kibera. "

The versatile artist seems not to be constrained by genre, combining an array of definitive sounds as seen in his releases such as ‘’Ominous Chants’’ and ‘Guilty’.

Listen to the rest of the conversation through the link in our bio! 😃🎧

#AfrikaDesignPodcast #DesignPodcast #AfrikanDesign #NairobiDesignWeek #AfricanDesign #AfricanDesigners #DesignIsForEveryone #DesignKenya #MadeByKenya #opendesignafrika #newpodcast #everyqueenbleeds

@artist.theruler is a graphic content creator who

@artist.theruler is a graphic content creator who dabbles in graphic design and illustration.

Their pieces are a mix of afropsychedelic illusions with color, forms and different elements of art and design.

Visit @artist.theruler to see more of these colourful works and commission a piece or two while you're at it.😃😎

#digitalillustration #illustrator #africanartist #africanillustrator #digitalartist #illustration #digitalart #illustratorsofinstagram #AfrikanDesign #NairobiDesignWeek #AfricanDesign #AfricanDesigners #DesignIsForEveryone #DesignKenya #MadeByKenya #digitalillustrator #africancontemporaryartists

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Festival Partners

Those who came together for Nairobi Design Week 2020.

Site Map

Those who came together for Nairobi Design Week 2020.

Blog

Podcast

Videos

Design Is For Everyone

Artisans of Kibera

Women’s Voices at the London Design Biennale

Labelled Human music video

Projects

Paint The Court

Refugees Pavilion

Exhibits

Outer World Women

The Things That We Do

Residencies

The Urban Residency

The Camping Residency (coming soon)

Festivals

NDW2020: Design is for Everyone

NDW2019: Culture & Heritage

NDW2018: Resource & Community

NDW2016: Artisans & Startups

NDW2015: 5 Themes of Design

About

FAQ (coming soon)

Team (coming soon)