About the Book
Decolonising Design in Africa offers a groundbreaking exploration of design education in Africa through a decolonial lens. By examining the colonial legacies that have shaped design education in Africa, it foregrounds the problematic ways that current pedagogical approaches primarily reflect western values and priorities. This book advocates for integrating Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and philosophies into contemporary African design education. It spans a wide geographical and temporal range, from historical analyses of colonial influences to envisioning decolonised African design futures. It delves into diverse aspects including spirituality in design, cultural symbolism, sustainable practices, and the ethical dimensions of decolonising design.
Pioneering in its interdisciplinary approach, the book weaves together theoretical discussions, methodological innovations like storytelling, and practical strategies for curriculum reform. It presents inspiring case studies of designers and educators who are actively decolonising their practices. Decolonising Design in Africa is a vital resource for design educators, students, practitioners, and policymakers, not just in Africa but worldwide. It makes a compelling case for reimagining design education in a more inclusive, contextually relevant and socially conscious way. The book's ultimate aim is to cultivate a new generation of designers equipped to address the complex challenges of a decolonising world.
Table of Contents:
1. Cultivating the Foundations: The Role of Design Education in Transforming the Legacy of African Education; 2. Bridging the Divide: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Curriculum Development;3. Spirituality, Religion, and Artistic Practices in African Design Education; 4. Politics and the Post-Colonial Ideals: Use of Design to Fight Injustice, Racism, and Apartheid
About the Author :
Yaw Ofosu-Asare is a Teaching Associate at the University of Melbourne and Associate Research Fellow at Southern Cross University. With extensive experience in Ghana, Africa, and Australia in visual design and marketing, his research focuses on African philosophy, decolonisation, and design education.
Review :
"Decolonizing African Design is a powerful work that contributes significantly to the global discourse on design and education. It is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and innovation of African design and a call to action for more inclusive and respectful design practices. This book is not just about decolonizing African design; it is about reimagining and reshaping the future of design. It is a journey of discovery, reflection, and transformation that invites us to see design differently. It celebrates African design in all its splendour and diversity as an emancipatory process. It is a call to action for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable design practice. It is a testament to the power of design as a tool for social change and cultural preservation. It is, in essence, a love letter to African design." - Nick Stranger, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Southern Cross University
"Decolonising Design in Africa is a powerful work that contributes significantly to the global discourse on design and education. It is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and innovation of African design and a call to action for more inclusive and respectful design practices. This book is not just about decolonizing African design; it is about reimagining and reshaping the future of design. It is a journey of discovery, reflection, and transformation that invites us to see design differently. It celebrates African design in all its splendour and diversity as an emancipatory process. It is a call to action for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable design practice. It is a testament to the power of design as a tool for social change and cultural preservation. It is, in essence, a love letter to African design." - Nick Stranger, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Southern Cross University
"It has been my pleasure and my privilege to read the first book of esteemed academic Dr Ofosu-Asare. In his rich and palpable African voice, Ofosu-Asare takes the reader on a textured and interesting adventure of decolonising Ghanaian design education. This thoughtful and arresting book assembles decolonising ideas and strategies that seek to embrace African ontologies, epistemologies and axiologies in ways that are authentic for not only African students and professionals of design, but the scholarly field of design education more broadly. It is a profound exploration of the transformation potentials of African design education. Full of cultural methods, styles and positionings, the book takes us into Africa, into African classrooms, with African people. It offers a suite of perspectives, stories and speculative positionings to take design education into new horizons and futures. I highly recommend this book; may there be more to come." - Professor Alexandra Lasczik, Director, Professional Experience, Southern Cross University
“This book is a book every African SHOULD read and every African creative MUST read. It’s a true mindset changer and carries design philosophy that is good to know as you start your design journey. It digs deep into our identity as Africans, how design shaped our past and how if we pay closer attention, it will shape the future. Great thoughts of reflection for both new and seasoned African designers. I will recommend as a reading material for our design institutions. It is both a cultural and commercial masterpiece.” - Daniel Ampofo President, dEX Ghana
