Book Details
African Design Futures: Decolonising Minds, Education, Spaces, and Practices
Yaw Ofosu-Asare
Springer Nature
2025
248 pp.
ISBN: 9783031717536
The subject of global dialogue for decades, scholars, policy makers and stakeholders have pondered, ‘Can we ever decolonise African Design and reimagine our future? The answer is affirmed in the literary phenomenon penned by Yaw Ofosu-Asare recalling a rich socio-cultural history of the African people millennia before the western invasion.
In Yaw Ofosu-Asare’s African Design Futures: Decolonising Minds, Education, Spaces, and Practices arises a bold and urgent manifesto for reclaiming African design from the shadows of colonial legacies. At a time when global conversations on decolonization are gaining momentum, this treatise stands as both a critique of the past and a blueprint for the future. By weaving together historical analysis, indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainable design practices, Ofosu-Asare presents a compelling vision of African creativity unshackled from Eurocentric constraints. In 248 pages and 7 chapters, this work is not just about aesthetics or pedagogy—it is about identity, power, and the radical potential of design as a tool for cultural and economic transformation. Beyond the premise of this book is the strategic alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4): Quality Education emphasizing its essence as a valuable tool “...in the mind of the oppressed” as we navigate the intricacies of decolonisation.
This thought-provoking volume critically examines the lingering colonial influences in African design education and practice. It challenges Eurocentric aesthetic and pedagogical models, advocating for a radical decolonization of design to empower African designers and reclaim indigenous knowledge systems. Beginning with a preface, the reader delves into the mind of the author, gauging his posture on the interruption of western paradigms, and the quest for resistance and awakening. We are transfixed on the detailed critique of the residual effect of the westernization of African cultural values on our collective consciousness. The year before the arrival of the white masks, a standalone section of the book, introduces a ‘hyperfeminist’ character Efua who by all indication is a stack representation of Africa- bold, strong and resilient. Her character is a metaphor for the continent reclaiming her identity. The book not only serves as a critique of existing frameworks but a call to action for a more culturally authentic and inclusive approach to design.
Ofosu-Asare builds his argument around the impact of colonialism on African design, drawing from post-colonial theory and cultural studies. He introduces the concept of “epistemological violence,” describing how colonialism systematically marginalized indigenous design philosophies, replacing them with Western ideals that persist in contemporary design education and practice. He argues that African design education must move beyond Western validation and develop curricula that reflect local artistic expressions, materials, and spatial practices. Thus, the book urges the African design community to shift towards an African-centered philosophy that values indigenous narratives, traditions, and methodologies.
One of the core themes is the decolonization of design education. Ofosu-Asare critiques the dominance of Eurocentric curricula in African design schools, arguing that they perpetuate cultural erasure. He proposes an educational framework that fosters critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and appreciation for indigenous design traditions. By incorporating indigenous art, materials, and construction techniques into curricula, African design institutions can cultivate professionals who are both technically proficient and deeply connected to their cultural heritage. The discussion extends to pedagogical methodologies that promote inclusivity and creativity, reinforcing SDG 4’s focus on equitable and quality education. Another key argument in the book is the role of indigenous knowledge systems in fostering sustainable and community-driven design. Ofosu-Asare underscores the importance of meaningful collaboration with local communities, cautioning against superficial engagements with traditional practices. The book presents case studies demonstrating how African design philosophies—rooted in nature, community, and spirituality—offer valuable lessons for contemporary design challenges, particularly in sustainability and social impact.
The power of visual storytelling as a tool for cultural reclamation is another central theme. Ofosu-Asare critiques the stereotypical portrayals of African identity in Western media and calls for a renewed focus on indigenous narratives in African design. He emphasizes that storytelling should be integrated into design education and practice to create work that reflects Africa’s diverse cultural histories and aspirations. The book also highlights the necessity of a systemic shift in policy to support decolonized design. Ofosu-Asare argues that national design councils and educational ministries must revise curricula to integrate indigenous design principles. He also calls for increased public funding to support community-driven design initiatives and equitable international collaborations that empower African designers rather than positioning them as passive recipients of Western knowledge.
African Design Futures aligns with the broader discourse on decolonization within design and education, echoing works such as Tony Fry’s Design as Politics and Ezio Manzini’s Design, When Everybody Designs, which critique the role of power structures in shaping design knowledge. However, Ofosu-Asare’s book distinguishes itself by focusing specifically on the African context, building on foundational scholarship in post-colonial studies, including Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Decolonising the Mind.
Unlike many previous works that discuss African design from a historical or anthropological perspective, Ofosu-Asare takes a forward-looking approach, proposing actionable strategies for integrating indigenous design methodologies into contemporary practice. His work also resonates with more recent scholarship on global design equity, making it a crucial contribution to ongoing discussions about the future of design education and practice in Africa.
Design is more than aesthetics—it is a tool for shaping identities, preserving cultures, and envisioning sustainable futures. Yaw Ofosu-Asare’s African Design Futures is a groundbreaking and necessary work that challenges the colonial legacies embedded in African design education and practice. The book serves as a call to action for educators, designers, and policymakers to embrace an approach rooted in cultural authenticity, social justice, and environmental sustainability. By centering African perspectives and advocating for the integration of indigenous knowledge systems, Ofosu-Asare presents a visionary framework for a truly decolonized design future. It is an invitation to rethink what it means to design for Africa, by Africa, and with Africa.