Nairobi hosts an eclectic community of artisans and craft workers. This year we are aiming to connect artisans (locally known as jua kali workers) to a wider market.
Translated to hot sun, the name jua kali can be considered a brief history on how the community came about. Mostly men tinkering in the hot sun making just about anything useful.
This time around we’ll show that Jua Kali and artisanry have developed as a perfect accompaniment to today’s design culture, with handmade craftmanship experiencing a global renaissance.
Today’s artisans have expanded on the products, styles and production methods available, with many becoming a product of their environment.
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI (SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN)
THINKPLACE KENYA
CREATIVES GARAGE
We are excited to have hosted Mugendi M’Rithaa, the president emeritus of the World Design Organisation, who took the stage to introduces this year’s festival; joined by speakers from Aurecon, Sun King and NDW.
Visitors enjoyed an evening with our favourite designers, interacted with like-minded creatives and met visitors from across the globe; lit by Sun King lamps.
Creatives garage is a broad-spectrum movement for Creatives to network, share ideas, collaborate, learn, gain market accessibility and push boundaries.
#TUJENGEKIBERA
#TujengeKibera, translating to ‘Let’s build Kibera’ is an online social media campaign and competition initiated by Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI).
Over the years there have been many stories written about Kibera and its residents often portraying the settlement in a negative light; but KDI’s experience working with the communities tells another story.
These are stories about residents who take responsibility for their environment and try to be the change they want to see, building and operating projects that positively impact their communities. Stories of people with mentorship programs for children through arts and sports. Stories geared at changing the narrative. Stories of entrepreneurs and artisans.
This year, Sun King joined KDI in hosting the event. In the solar tent they shared success stories of customers from around the world, promoting access to solar energy through their EasyBuy technology and product range.
UNDUGU SCHOOL, MATHARE
‘Slums’ have become a byword for subtle but serious human rights violations. On a daily basis their inhabitants are unable to exercise and receive basic human rights such as: health-care; housing; sanitation; clean water; legal information and legal representation.
KNOWNAFRIQUE AND SLUMFIGHTERS organised a workshop around THESE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.
GOALS:
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VICTORIOUS BONE CRAFT
Founded in 2006 by Jack Nyawanga and two other skilled craftsmen from Kibera, Victorious Bone Craft utilizes bones and horns from butcheries and slaughterhouses to make beautiful handcrafted products. These include necklaces, earrings, key holders, spoons and hair clippers, which are sold in both local and international markets.
BARAKA MENZA
Baraka Menza is a young, enthusiastic social entrepreneur from Kibera, who saw an opportunity to transform dumped tyres into unique sandals.
MOSES OJOWI
Kibera-based artisan Moses Ojowi makes brass products from scrap metal and other recyclable materials, sourced locally from the Kenyan community.
His cast brass products include rings, pendants and bangles. He also makes non-cast products from brass sheets and wires, and these include earrings, bracelets
and necklaces. In addition, he makes products that combine horn, bone and brass as well.
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CREATIVES GARAGE
FURNITURE, JEWELLERY, 3D PRINTING, SOLAR LAMPS AND KENYAN DESIGNED MOTORBIKES ON SHOW.
Hosted by Creatives Garage, this market isn’t all about selling. It’s about raising awareness of design’s breadth and elevating it in the public’s eye.
A platform for Nairobi’s creatives to share ideas, collaborate, learn, and gain access to market opportunities, providing an opportunity for artisans and exhibitors from a wide range of disciplines to showcase their products and services to the general public.
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DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY AND NDW
In August 2016, Nairobi Design Week hosted six undergraduate and masters product design students from De Montfort University, UK with the aim of helping to design and market solar lighting products.
Our mission was to give them a flavour of the creative and business opportunities that Kenya has to offer and make them fall in love with the country. In such a short time it’s impossible to see everything, but were perfectly positioned to create a tailormade, focused experience that engaged the students throughout.
'ThinkPlace provided a great, one day workshop which introduced us to the process of human centered design (HCD).
"Within hours we were challenged to get out on the streets and start interviewing people straight away both an intimidating and enthralling experience."
We learnt how to analyse these interviews, creating unique insights that can lead to exciting new product or solutions.'
Everything created from the hands of an artisan tells a story, and Artisan and Fox is on a mission to share these beautiful stories with the world.
Their mission is simple: to provide economic opportunities to underprivileged artisans by bringing local micro-enterprises and community groups online, and to share the human story behind each product.
'What makes us unique is our 50/50 promise. We literally share 50% of our profits with our artisan partners. This is in line with our commitment to the ethical production of crafts, and fostering sustainable livelihoods for our artisan partners.'
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ADRIAN JANKOWIAK
Director
RINA WALIGO
Manager
MICHEAL BAGOROGOZA
Brand Manager
FREDRICK BARY
Event Cordinator
KEVIN OURU
Event Organizer
JULITA BHAGAT
NDW assistant
DON ADERO
Volunteer
