Nigerian Design chronicles.

Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a diverse number of regions, tribes, individuals with opinions, preferences and personal tastes. Think about all the unique experiences; from work to market, city to village life. Think about movies, and the different genres- comedy, action, tragedy, drama, sci-fi, fiction, fantastical. Another example is music – pop, rock, reggae, hip –hop, highlife, juju, Fuji, afro-pop, so many endless options, everyone has what floats their boat. Now put that in the context of Design, there’s so much Naija-ness to take in: Nature, chaos, comedy, music, food, art, religion all around us.

So why are our living and working spaces so flat and featureless? Do we not have all we need and more around us to be creatively inspired? Why do we see the same designs over and over? Do all Nigerians really want the exact same style of architecture, roofing, windows, furniture, or P.O.P designs on their ceilings, or are designers/ Architects just creatively lazy. You’ll think that we can surely route a bit of those intense experiences and passion we soak in everyday into the design of our personal spaces, right? I’m afraid not.

This is my main frustration with the design scene in Nigeria or as a Designer born, bred and raised in the country is that there isn’t enough diversity. The sheer scale of creative monotony is alarming, and this is not only in the Design industry, it’s a general concern in most industries and professions to be honest. For instance, we have a few people legitimately pioneer an idea, business or their version of something and in no time, everyone else seems to join the wagon to do the exact same thing with no root , drive, or genuine understanding of the motivations of the visionary, well until the next ‘ reigning thing ‘ pops up. Have you ever wondered why? Why do we feel the need to copy? This really used to bother me, it still does, but surely this isn’t unique to only Nigerians.

Take a look at your average middle class person in the western world, they relate or participate in design on a basic level or let’s even say IKEA standard-which is the benchmark for good, affordable design globally, even though they can afford it, they can at least D-I-Y ( do it themselves). That’s not the case in Nigeria; somehow we all aspire to the grand, ostentatious ‘Dubai’ luxury lifestyle that we can’t afford –we choose to ignore those true to our identity and within our reach- There's so much beauty all around us, only if we can see beyond western luxuries. The grand spaces we see in magazines, those 100 pillar - golden mansions celebrities showcase on instagram, and I don’t blame them, what other models of design do we promote, Why do these things appeal to us so badly? Why are we so drawn to popular /unfamiliar culture? Can we not take pleasures in the simple things we have and make the most of our unique experiences and stages in life? What happened to good old, functional, simple affordable design?

I’ve come to a realization that the problem is not what people aspire to; it is what we portray to them. The idea of Design in itself has been represented as an implausible concept that people can’t afford or accomplish, so it is easier to lift, or crave unfamiliar certainty, than create our own reality. We make it seem like only those who can afford it deserve to enjoy it.

Even those that can afford the model of ‘design’ represented by the trained Interior Architects, Designers, stylists, Decorators, showroom owners, Locally made and sourced furniture makers and manufacturers and basically all design professionals on as many other levels as there are- still don’t seem to get the realness of 'Nigerian Design'. Not that there is anything wrong with the style, level and quality of projects we see around these days. In-fact the quality of delivery and attention to details has improved tremendously over the years.

Its just that there is so much untapped design going us around us , we just choose to ignore it. Irrespective of the client’s budget, location and exposure, there’s just something still lacking and uninspiring in the Nigerian design scene. I believe the Design industry can be open and accommodating of all- people, culture, tastes, class, age and budgets.

We need more grit - You know that sense of inventiveness, freshness and originality is absent on so many levels. A good model is the food / Culinary industry in Nigeria. It all started not when they stopped posting foreign food, because they still do (and there is nothing wrong with that, I love a global approach to ones craft). The point is the real shift began when they started engaging people’s passion for food, as an interest, a hobby or just a random topic and then a lifestyle- beyond the level of the basic necessity to quench hunger. Then, when they got our attention, they introduced original, creative recipes that transformed our everyday overlooked realities into genuinely special aspirations- from your ordinary party jollof rice and plantain, to these globally accepted and recognized local dishes. Now you have a thriving industry operating both locally and globally- (chefs, food bloggers, food critics, food/lifestyle journalists caterers, local restaurants, farmers, food entrepreneurs, producers, food packaging companies, online food platforms, personal food shoppers, and even niche supermarkets) – an industry that can sustain itself locally on several levels, built around a basic necessity- food.

Shelter is a basic necessity too, and maybe if people see Design of a buildings- architecture, interiors, or Living spaces as an augmentation of that basic necessity, then we would treat design more differently. Just like the clothes you wear, you can start from the barest and simplest needs to the super luxurious wish lists. It is delightful to have fashionable things- especially if you work as hard as Nigerians do, but it is more important to be surrounded by things of value, that hold memories, inspire you and keep you grounded. Do people really get this? Or is the goal just to rent, buy land and own series of properties?

I believe the Nigerian Design industry can be open and accommodating of all- people, tastes, class, age and budgets. You don’t need to wait till you are 50 with your own mansion to make good design choices or have access to or at least be aware of good design. Why can’t your bedroom in your 1 bedroom flat in Ogba be really comfortable, nice and reflect your personality, taste and experiences. The truth is, by the time you are actually 40 or 50 with that oil and gas job and all the money you need to furnish your 4 bedroom flat in Lekki, you realize that you don’t really know what you want. What are the choices out there?

Yes, you can fake it till you make it. Then again what happens when to those that have made it, I think they are all still faking it (Permit my J-Cole reference). The Professionals that seemingly know better are after government clients and contracts. There’s nothing wrong in prospering in your career, but I believe we all need to make some sacrifices for the sake of passion and growth to be able to witness the kind of sustainable and progressive change we seek.

We owe it to ourselves, our society or at least our profession to raise the bar, and believe it or not sensitize the public and even the government on the importance of good design. Bad design is a problem, or design for the sake of fashion, trends and stylistic purposes is simply mediocre. On a more serious note, designers all over the world are addressing global issues like health and safety, fire safety, inclusive design, sustainability, sensory design and we are still struggling to screed straight walls in Nigeria.

I understand that there are many other underlying issues like power, manufacturing overheads, formal accredited institutions, and poor workmanship, availability of quality or at least standardized materials, construction costs e.t.c. Nonetheless, let’s not make excuses, stop celebrating mediocre and try to strive for excellence.

Thank you

Image Sources l 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 //12 //