Wednesday, February 21, 2024

How Design Can Be Used as Proganda

The power of design to shape perceptions and behavior, let us be mindful of the ability to create beautiful outcomes.


 

Tuesday, January 09, 2024

Product Designer: Yinka Ilori

A British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold visual language draws on his British-Nigerian heritage.

Friday, December 29, 2023

Fashion Design in Africa - Growing and Diverse

 The growing influence of the creative in fashion design on the continent of Africa is reflective of new generation using social media tools to develop their voice and brand beyond their borders

Friday, December 15, 2023

Architecture:Jeanne Gang on why flow matters

Arguably the most accomplished female architect of the 21st century, Jeanne Gang and her Chicago based firm Studio Gang are getting noticed by the work they are creating.





Monday, December 11, 2023

Logo Design: NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) insignia has three main official designs, although the one with stylized red curved text (the "worm") was retired from official use from May 22, 1992, until April 3, 2020, when it was reinstated as a secondary logo

In 1974, as part of the Federal Graphics Improvement Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, NASA hired Richard Danne and Bruce Blackburn to design a more modern logo.

NYTimes Article: How NASA Learned to Love it Logo


Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Transistor the foundation of the Third Industrial Revolution

 The first transistor created at Bell Labs in 1956, securing a Nobel Prize for their research.


The first generation of computers depended upon the invention of vacuum tubes; for the second generation it was transistors; for the third, it was the integrated circuit; and the fourth generation of computers came about after the invention of the microprocessor


the introduction of semiconductors sparked a revolution in electronics on par with that of steel and steam engines in the Industrial Revolution.


https://youtu.be/Ofv39GBGW3g?si=ft8AUVbxn6HAqiRU

The First African Tech Company to be Sold on Wall St.

 The opportunity of providing design solutions across the continent of Africa is enormous, but how to execute will be the question many will be seeking to answer over the next decade.






Friday, September 22, 2023



The introduction of the first shoe from JEMS a Black-owned shoe factory based in the United States.

Interview with Dr. D’Wayne Edwards 



Friday, September 01, 2023

Architect: (Diebedo) Francis Kéré

The 2022 Pritzker Prize Award winner for the work created to improve life in his home village of XXX in Burkina Faso in Western Africa.

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Architect: Rem Koolhaas

A thinker and writer who through the lens of architecture explores questions around our built environments.

Friday, July 28, 2023

History of the Zipper

The Future of Tech? A Presentation by Scott Galloway

The 21st Century is here do we know where we are going? What is happening in the tech sector, society and geopolics that we should consider? Finally, where are the design opportunities?

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Book: Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook

Design educator Dori Turnstall has pen a book reframing an approach to more wholesticly understand and reflect, What Design is.
Article: How to Decolonize Design

Friday, July 21, 2023

Design Education: African Futures Institute

Lesley Lokko a Ghanaian-Scottish architect, sets out to tackle global issues through her new school in Accra Ghana.
Wallpaper Article: Lesley Lokko on decolonisation, decarbonisation and diversity

Monday, June 19, 2023

Architect History: Paul Revere Williams

One of his many noted accomplishment was being the first African American Architects to become a member of American Institute of Architects (AIA). Often called the architect of Hollywood, Paul William designed homes throughout Los Angeles for the celabriies of the time.

Sunday, April 02, 2023

Design Collective: LoveForm,

World renown industrial designers Jony Ive and Marc Newson have joined their talents to create a design consultancy that will leverage the design possibilities of the 21st century.
Wallpaper Article

Industrial Designer - Noel Mayo

As the first African American to lead an industrial design firm, Noel Mayo's career has mentored many and continues to impact the profession.
History Makers Noel Mayo Associates

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Recognizing and Reclaiming the Contributions of Black Creatives

A beautiful thing is happening that is a legitmite effort to bring to light the contributions and talents of many that have long been ignored the black creative. Two article appearing the New York Times demonstrates this enlightenment.
The Interior Lives of Black Homes
Putting Black Design in the Spotlight

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Building A Better Future The Work and Legacy of Five African American Architects

Documenting the contributions of African American Architects has become part of the work of the Smithosian Musuem. "Pioneering African American architects, such as Harold L. Williams, Norma Merrick Sklarek, and John S. Chase, expanded the profession and paved the way for a new generation, including Philip G. Freelon and Michael Marshall." National Musuem of African American History and Culture

Monday, February 06, 2023

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Japan Toilet Project

Toilets are a symbol of Japan's world-renowned hospitality culture. Public toilets will be redesigned in 17 locations throughout Shibuya with the help of 16 creators invited from around the world. We invite you to take a look at the uniqueness of each of these facilities.
The Tokyo Toilet Website

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has Arrived in MS ChatGPT

Questions on how impact will this new product our work and life are beinf asked all around the internet. This also speaks to the new opening for designers to jump into the opportunities this technology brings with it.

Friday, January 20, 2023

The Issues with Fast Casual Architecture

The sameness of many buildings has raised the question as to what extent is architecture being limited by economic and not aesthetic decisions. Article: Washingtons DC's Whaarf Article: As Housing Looks the Same...

Thursday, December 29, 2022

How Product Designers Move in a Changing Profession/Future

This discussion of a product is timely for me as I plot a path to actual practice in 2023.

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

A Product Designer Skill Set for Success

The video below identities the levels at which a product design can operate and the skills at each level: Doer/Executer, Thinker/Stategy and Leader.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Digital Media Tools the Potential to Enhance Narratives

Article: NYTime 50 Years Ago Stevie Wonder Heard the Future of Music This on the impact of Stevie Wonder's music especially in the 70's is a wonderful example of how digital media tools can be used to add layer of context and content to a narrative.

Monday, October 24, 2022

What's with the Organic Design Language?

Wallpaper Article: OPPO builds on its organic design language... Some designers are looking to nature for inspiration, as was the case with Art Nouevou more than a century ago. Then Hector Guimaird created structures that reflected his explorations in a new aesthetic that would end in 1914 when war came to Europe.

Friday, September 30, 2022

Product Designer: Naoto Fukasawa

Naoto Fukasawa Website

Is Kanye West a Designer?

As human beings we all have the potential to be a "designer", that being said the creative impluse in in each of us can be released and thus through are intention to change or reshape our environment we too can be called a designer.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Industrial Designer: Builds His Own Brand

After a tour of working with a variety of footwear teams Salehe Bembury moves to establish his own signature product line. Fast Company Article: Why Everyone...Wants to Work with Salehe Bembury

Friday, September 09, 2022

Architecture: Designed with Humanity in Mind

There are many new projects that are demonstrating a recognition for the possibility of buildings to leverage the soft power of values. NYTimes Article: Can Architecture Build Values?
Video: 60 Minutes, The MASS model of community-focused architecture

Tuesday, September 06, 2022

Graphic Designers: Discovering the Past

Tasheka Arceneaux-Sutton, a graphic designer and educator has brought to light designers not recognized for their contributions. Video: The History of Black Women in Graphic Design

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Video: History of Technological Development

An overview of the history of technology and its impact in the evolution of society and the potential of artificial intellegence.