By Omolara Akintoye
Design Week Lagos (DWL) is the leading design week on the African continent, conceived to present and celebrate the best in contemporary African design across categories while bringing international field leaders and visitors to experience the most exciting work from the region.
DWL according to the. African Advocate and founder, Titi Ogufere, is a growing annual celebration and convening, with core programs including a central exhibition showcasing new work from across the continent, an awards program, and a series of talks and lectures. In addition to presenting new product design, DWL’s program highlights and explores new pathways in manufacturing methods, illuminating ingenuity, and information sharing so that a growing community of contemporary designers can better tap into a rich history of craftsmanship and unique material knowledge across the continent.
This year’s edition of DWL will take place in various venues across the city of Lagos from October 21st to 31st, 2021. The theme for the 2021 design week is Design Revolution. Given the limitations of the global pandemic, this year’s program will be tight and targeted, with more robust digital components. Highlights of the program include:
Design Kulture Exhibition from October 21 – 31, 2021
This exhibition is an annual showcase for sourcing furniture and design objects in Africa at White Space, an exhibition space run by A Whitespace Creative Agency. The exhibition is a meeting point for decision-makers in the design and manufacturing industry, and a bridge between manufacturers and design practitioners within the region, as well as international buyers, design enthusiasts, and collaborators. This year’s exhibitors include Studio Lani, Nifemi Bello, Tosin Oshinowo, Olu Amoda, Damola Rufai, Tunde Owolabi, Aga Concept, Tekura, Osaru Alile, among others.
Each year, the DWL Student Competition takes place. Designers are asked to come up with solutions, to meet various needs of the people, the economy, and nations at large. With that comes a lot of focus on problem-solving design regarding urban intervention and innovation. “Our aim is to broaden the minds of individuals as well as challenge designers’ understanding of the term “design” and the crucial role it plays in every aspect of our daily lives. We urge designers to consider and foresee the future needs of society that are influenced by the rapid growth in population, availability of materials, development of culture, and environmental change”
Other designers are also expected at the 10 day event.
In collaboration with Design Week Lagos, the International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (IFI) will host the IFI African Regional Roundtable on October 21st, 2021. The interactive virtual event will allow the diverse design community in Africa to discuss the IFI Education Policy.
DWL according to Ogufere was first established in 2019 as a citywide celebration held in Lagos, Nigeria over ten days, promoting creativity, innovation across disciplines.
L-R – Jacqueline Aki, Osaze Ebueku (MTN Representative) Hassan Yazbeck (CEO, Interstyle Ceramics), Arc. Jumoke Adenowo (CEO, AD Consulting), Titi Ogufere (President, International Federation of Interior Architects and Design and Founder, DWL), Ekua Abudu (Chairman, Board of Trustees IDAN), Adeyanju Adelakun (CEO, Bang & Olufsen), Michael Loeye (Master Dealer, Bang & Olufsen
