The Visual Design Conference under the theme: Evolution of Afrikan Visual Design in the Digital World brought together creative’s to reflect on three broad aspects of Virtual Reality (VR), the Future and the Power to Influence.
The conference underscored the significance to anchor Afrikan art and design on strong African cultural repository while acknowledging the fourth industrial disruptive phenomenon in which the methods and formats used for traditional creative production and consumption have been challenged or are becoming less viable with the invention of digital technologies.
Prof. Stephen Kiama. VC University of Nairobi, seated front row middle, Prof. Robert Rukwaro. Dean Faculty of the Built Environment and Design (front row left) Arch. Dan Imbamba (front row left)
The Visual Design Conference under the theme: Evolution of Afrikan Visual Design in the Digital World brought together creative’s to reflect on three broad aspects of Virtual Reality (VR), the Future and the Power to Influence.
The conference underscored the significance to anchor Afrikan art and design on strong African cultural repository while acknowledging the fourth industrial disruptive phenomenon in which the methods and formats used for traditional creative production and consumption have been challenged or are becoming less viable with the invention of digital technologies.
The fourth Industrial Revolution has been characterized by developing automation model represented by innovative digital performances in industries that emerge as a disruption to the preceding first, second and third industrial revolutions. A revolution comprising of comprehensive changes across many sectors and aspects of human life has placed considerable pressure on conventional operational models, transformed production processes and redefined the relationship between producers and consumers. For instance, the aspect of localism in visual design traced in Kenya’s digital media landscape is redefining as it takes into account the indigenous practices while appreciating the role of digital technologies in enabling people to engage in public conversations by reading, commenting and sharing communication on online spaces.
A correlation between this disruption in the media and other spheres of creative design help to define the thoughts attributing the disruption to the brunt of the 4IR as well as appreciating that the emergence of new technologies is creating convergence between different dimensions of life such as the artificial intelligence that involves matching human capability with machines.
The conference incorporated an in person session and a stream live feed broadcast to an online audience bringing together stakeholders from different parts of the world including students, scholars, institutions and industry players and professionals in the various thematic areas of graphics, fashion, interior, illustration and product design in Kenya and Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama key remarks acknowledged the great strides the department of Arts and Design was making in placing the University on the global scene such as the BATA shoes design competition in which design students emerged victorious among others.
The Principal Secretary in the state department of urban housing and development was represented by the Ag Director in the ministry Arch. Daniel Imbamba who noted that the conference was a great opportunity for participants to share their various unique experiences. ‘We all need to shift together to digital platform in order to make an impact to the built environment and design sector’’ said Arch. Imbamba. According to the director the ministry was looking forward to see local design being implemented in the built environment to reduce the countries reliance on importation of foreign designs that deny the country its local heritage. The conference was also graced by the World Design Organization (WDO) President Mr. Srini Srinivasan
The conference was held on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th February 2021 at the University of Nairobi Tower Room 405
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