Behind The Design

This is episode #4 of season 3 where I am joined by textile designer Chrissa Amuah.

ABOUT CHRISSA: 

Chrissa is a textile designer and the founder of AMWA Designs a brand of handmade textiles and print designs for the home. She is also the founder of Africa by Design a platform bringing together and creating opportunities for African designers.

We talk about:

• Her thoughts on the future of Africa’s design, and how design can help the African continent to realign and re-navigate its future
• The motivation behind launching Africa by Design, and the impact has it had on shining the light on African design
• Celebrating and highlighting the diversity in African design
• How she discovered her love for textile design
• Being authentic in telling her story
• The need to dream bigger for ourselves
• The challenges she has faced in building her brand and learning to push boundaries with limited means
• The importance of sustainable design not designing for trends but designing for meaning 

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Africa by Design - https://www.africabydesign.org

Nubuke Foundation Gallery - https://www.nubukefoundation.org

Chelsea College of Art and Design - https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/chelsea-college-of-arts

Milan Design Week + Salone Satellite - https://www.salonemilano.it/en/

Marva Griffin - https://www.luminaire.com/illuminate/marva-griffin-mentor-to-young-designers/

Dominique L’Olive - https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/studying-with-dominique-lolive-in-the-studio-and-online-csm

Adinkra Symbols - https://www.atelier55design.com/adinkra-symbols-writing-traditions-connecting-the-verbal-and-visual/

Central St Martins - https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/central-saint-martins

El Anatsui - https://www.atelier55design.com/art-ghana-el-anatsui-cascading-metal-wall-sculptures/

Bernhardt Design - https://bernhardtdesign.com

London Design Biennale - https://www.londondesignbiennale.com

Alice Asafu-Adjaye - https://www.mustardarch.com/about

Where you can go to find out more about AMWA Designs:

www.amwadesigns.com

@amwadesigns

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design - https://www.instagram.com/atelier55design/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #3 of season 3 where I am joined by furniture and product designer Lani Adeoye.

ABOUT LANI: 

Lani is an award-winning sculptural lighting and product designer and design strategist, and the founder of Studio Lani. 

We talk about:

• How her interest in design developed organically and going from a corporate non-creative role to studying design and founding her business
• Visiting design shows before she started to see what was out there and learn about design
• Having the confidence to put yourself out there
• Transitioning from working a full-time day job to freelancing to running her business full-time
• Moving to Nigeria to bring her closer to the artisans she works with
• Juggling the different roles that come with owning your own business
• How long it takes to bring a collection from concept to finished design
• Harnessing creative thinking to overcome challenges and find solutions that can bring her designs to life
• Showcasing heritage through contemporary lenses
• Staying true to what you believe, but being open to evolve
• Nurturing creativity in young children

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Interior Design Show Toronto

International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)

Aṣa

NYCxDesign

Wanted Design

Architectural Digest

Elle Decor International Women of Design

Simon Sinek book Start With Why

Where you can go to find out more about Studio Lani:

www.studiolani.com

@studiolani

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #2 of season 3 where I am joined by clay healer Andile Dyalvane.

ABOUT ANDILE:

Andile Dyalvane is the co-founder of the Imiso a high-end brand of bespoke, conversational, and collectibles ceramics.

We talk about:

• How his interest in clay began
• How culture and heritage influences his design
• His thoughts on the acceptance of art as a career
• Using clay as a way of connecting with Mother Earth, with ancestry, and his heritage 
• The responsibility bestowed on him by his elders of being chosen to bring back dignity to his community through his art
• The journey of setting up Imiso, and the challenges of having to develop business skills fast
• How residences have helped him grow and develop as an artist and helps with getting back to what matters
• Being a mentor to those following in his footsteps, and why having someone to look up to matters
• Developing or finding a design identity
• Dealing with self-doubt
• Knowing your purpose and accepting that not everyone will understand or like what he does, and that’s ok 
• Following and embracing his creativity, which fuels his spiritual growth

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Cape Craft and Design Institute

Katherine Glenday

Clay Adventures

Ceramic Studio

Nelson Mandela University of Technology

The Old Biscuit Mill

Design Network Africa 

Southern Guild

Where you can go to find out more about Imiso:
www.imiso.com

Instagram: @imiso

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/  

Instagram: @atelier55design 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

Welcome to episode 1 of the third season of Behind The Design. This season I bring you more great conversation and insight into the work of amazing creative talent from across Africa and in the diaspora.

As excited as I am to be welcoming you to the season it was recorded against the backdrop of the biggest seismic shifts our world has faced in recent times. I am feeling the weight of a period of fear, turmoil, uncertainty, frustration, and just plain overwhelming tiredness. My guests also reflect this uncertainty. But through the current challenges, there is hope, and there is optimism.

So I hope you will find this season inspiring, and I am looking forward to welcoming you to each episode.

Tapiwa

You can find the full show notes for all the episodes at:

atelier | 55 - www.atelier55design.com

You are listening to Behind the Design episode #7 the Studio Lessons. Which brings us to the end of season 2. It has been another inspiring season, and I thank all my guests for taking the time to chat and give us a behind the scenes look into their design journeys. I’ve loved discovering their motivations and the challenges and rewards that come from doing what they do.

This is episode #6 where I am joined by sustainable design entrepreneur Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro.

ABOUT ACHENYO: 

You are listening to episode number 6 of season 2. And joining me on the show is Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro. Achenyo is the founder of MitiMeth. An award-winning social enterprise based in Nigeria. Working with local communities MitiMeth takes water hyacinth, an evasive destructive weed, and upcycles it into personal and interior accessories.

We talk about:

• Going from a corporate computer science career to starting a business the creative industry

• What drew her to consulting in the green space

• Being born and raised in the US and making the decision to move to Nigeria her country of heritage to start her business

• Why she chose to work with water hyacinth, and looking at how local solutions could be applied globally

• The process for harvesting and turning this weed into a material that she can work with

• The impact transforming water hyacinth s had on the local communities Mitimeth works with

• How she identified the communities she wanted to work with

• How she decides on what products to create

• How she generates brand awareness

• Being a Cartier Women’s Initiative finalist and the impact this has had on her business and her as a leader

• How she keeps challenging herself to grow and develop your business and craft?

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

United Nations Environment Programme - https://www.unenvironment.org 

The UN Global goals - https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

Cartier Women’s Initiative - https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/candidate/achenyo-idachaba

Vital Voices and Pond's Fellowship - https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/signature-programs/vvlead/

Where you can go to find out more about Achenyo and MitiMeth:

https://www.mitimeth.com

@mitimeth.ng - https://www.instagram.com/mitimeth.ng/

https://www.facebook.com/MitiMeth-Handcrafted-Home-Decor-and-Personal-Accessories-183239771748672/

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #5 where I am joined by lighting and product designer Dounia Tamri-Loeper.

ABOUT DOUNIA: 

You are listening to episode number 5 of season 2. And joining me on the show is Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Dounia is the designer and founder of Dounia Home. A lighting company that is based in the US and Morocco. Dounia Home is on a mission to modernise Moroccan design reimagining the traditional techniques and craftsmanship into sophisticated collections that have sustainability at their heart.

We talk about:

• Taking decision to leave her job to start her own business
• Researching her idea and spending time in Morocco travelling the country and getting to know the different crafts from a a designer perspective
• Using her designer’s eye to modernise the old styles
• Leveraging trade shows to build her brand name, awareness and credibility
• The importance of knowing her audience and getting in front of them
• Managing a business between the US and Morocco, and why a process is key
• Producing in Morocco and working with artisan groups
• How government support has helped develop and grow her business
• Designing for sustainability and not trends
• Finding and attracting collaborations 
• Looking to the future of design
• Being bold and not being afraid to reach out for opportunities 
• What being in business has taught her about herself

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Maison de l’artisan - http://www.maisonartisan.ma

Elle Decor - https://www.elledecor.com

House Beautiful - https://www.housebeautiful.com

Handmade Contemporary Fair (HmC) - http://www.artlogic.co.za/fairs

Aphrochic - https://www.aphrochic.com

Where you can go to find out more about Dounia and Dounia Home:

https://www.douniahome.com

@douniahome - https://www.instagram.com/douniahome/

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #4 where I am joined by furniture and product designer Thabisa Mjo.

ABOUT THABISA: 

Thabisa is the designer, behind Mash.T an award-winning Johannesburg based design studio that is contributing to the continuing evolution of a home-grown contemporary South African design aesthetic.

We talk about:

• The reasons for working for herself 
• The challenges is access to market
• Appreciating the value of social capital 
• The importance of having systems in place to stop you working harder than is actually necessary 
• Not letting failure stop her
• Being aware of the privilege of being able to have her own business and the responsibilities that come with this
• Breaking through the barrier of gatekeeping - The challenges of overcoming a system that is designed to keep people out 
• How she did not come to design the traditional way 
• Taking the initiative to go out there and ask for work, for the opportunities
• The importance of doing your research 
• Having confidence, determination and self-belief 
• Respecting the deep roots of generational knowhow and the people you work with
• Changing the way people think about African design

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - https://www.thoughtco.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4582571

Sketchup - https://www.sketchup.com

Oprah Magazine South Africa - now closed

Estee Lauder South Africa - https://www.esteelauder.co.za

Veuve Clicquot South Africa - https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-gb

Tracy Lynch - https://www.leelynch.co.za

Nando’s Hot Young Designer - http://hotyoungdesigner.co.za

Louise Mcann - http://thecontentstudio.co.za/

Chandelle Lighting - http://www.chandelle-lighting.co.za

Where you can go to find out more about Thabisa and Mash T:

@mashtdesignstudio - https://www.instagram.com/mashtdesignstudio/?hl=en

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #3 where I am joined by furniture and product designer Audrey Forson.

ABOUT AUDREY: 

Audrey is a furniture designer, and the managing director of Tekura, her family’s business in Ghana. Tekura was started by her parents and Audrey is continuing the legacy by taking the business to the next level.

We talk about:

• Stepping in to take over the family business
• How interning at the business while still at school helped her to learn the different aspects of the business
• Leaning on the job as a self-taught creative and designer
• The stories Tekura is telling and how the business has a deep link to her heritage
• The importance of market awareness
• The production cycle and tailoring products for the different audiences
• Nurturing the next generation of designers by giving back and sharing her advice and experiences
• The importance of understanding the business side of design
• Why legacy matters, creating businesses that can be passed onto the next generations to each take forward

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Cheick Diallo

Hamed Ouattara - https://www.coroflot.com/hamedouattara

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology - Rural Arts - https://www.facebook.com/KNUSTksi/

**NOTE: The audio has been edited but you will experience some background noise**

Where you can go to find out more about Audrey and Tekura:

https://www.designtekura.com

@tekura_designs - https://www.instagram.com/tekura_designs/

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/

This is episode #2 of season 2 where I am joined by fashion designer Lola Ukinamemen.

ABOUT LOLA: Lola is the founder of the fashion and lifestyle brand, Agnes & Lola, a UK-based platform which pioneered the retail of African fashion to international audiences.

We talk about:

• Spotting a gap in the market to retail African fashion
• How Agnes & Lola became a journey of discovery of self
• The naivety of starting out with passion but not doing the due diligence required to start a business
• Being unprepared for the visibility that comes with PR recognition 
• Acknowledging when things were not working and knowing it was time to step away
• Experiencing the shame of stopping and feeling like she was letting everyone down
• Recognising what went wrong the first time round 
• Appreciating the importance of family, in particular what she could have learned from her grandmother
• Choosing to revive Agnes & Lola
• Regaining her passion and sense of identity in the new version of Agnes & Lola

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Chichia - https://www.notjustalabel.com/chichia-london

CNN - https://edition.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/11/19/african.fashion.agnes.lola/index.html

Shopify - https://www.shopify.co.uk

Squarespace - https://www.squarespace.com

Myleek Teele - https://mytaughtyou.com/podcast-page/

Finding Paula -

Where you can go to find out more about Agnes & Lola:
https://www.agnesandlola.com

@agnesamdlola - https://www.instagram.com/agnesandlola/

Get the full show notes at: www.atelier55design.com/podcast 

Behind the Design is brought to you by atelier 55

Continue the conversation, follow atelier 55 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atelier55design/

Instagram: @atelier55design

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/atelier55design/