http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/13922 2026-04-28T13:09:03Z 2026-04-28T13:09:03Z Maina, S. M http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163746 2023-11-20T10:00:33Z 2023-06-27T00:00:00Z

Guidelines and Editorial Policy. Maina, S. M Africa Design Review Journal is an Online & Print Quarterly issue. The aim of the journal is to encourage scholarship in the area of design. It emphasizes the production of knowledge and exchange of ideas. Invitation of Articles: The Editor invites original and scholarly articles in but not limited to the folowing areas: 2-D and 3-D Design and Graphic Communication and Materials; Product Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Art and Architecture of Africa: Illustration, Fine art, Visual Communication, Landscape Architecture;Ecology, Culture,; Computer Applications in Visualisation Design, Design Practice, Design Sustainability, Fashion and related fields. Acceptance of Articles: Once an article has been submitted for publication, the author shall not submit it elsewhere. Caution: It should be noted that the opinion expressed in any article, book review or commentary appearing in any issue of the journal does not reflect the opinion of the Editorial Committee. Content of the Manuscript: The manuscript must apply systematic procedures to discover answers to research questions. Authors must conduct and present empirical investigations results on any subject written on. The paper must strictly follow the structure below for it to be considered for publication; Title, Name of the Author, Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review/Theory, Research Methods, Results, Discussion of Findings, Conclusion/Recommendations, References, Appendices. Submission of the Manuscript Electronic Figures: You should supply the electronic versions of your black and white figures/Illustrations. We prefer figures in TIFF,EPS, PS, PDF and Microsoft Office format. For vector graphics, EPS is the preferred format. For bitmapped graphics, TIFF is the preferred format. The following resolutions are optimal: line figures 600- 1200 dpi; photographs - 300 dpi. Because of high cost of colour printing, colour figures are discouraged and if they have to appear in your manuscripts then you will meet their printing costs. (The figure legends should be included in the text file). Use standard fonts such as Times Roman, Courier, Arial and Tahoma. Figures should be saved in separate files.

2023-06-27T00:00:00Z Matayo, C. R. Osanjo, L., Odundo, F. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163745 2023-08-03T13:36:41Z 2023-06-27T00:00:00Z

Design Intervention for Sustainability in Women’s Crafts in Kenya. Matayo, C. R.; Osanjo, L.,; Odundo, F. omen in Kenya and the world over engage in craft design using traditional skills passed on from one generation to the other. These are mainly inspired by motifs and designs obtained from nature and items within their surroundings. Knowledge is in this content mainly shared by observation. The case is no different for marginalized women in Kenya who engage in craft design in the areas of beadwork, basketry, and pottery among others. A study was conducted to identify the design interventions in improving the livelihoods of women through crafts. Designers have been part of the women’s programs through the extension of their services at different phases of the production process. This is done by co-designing and collaborating with the women in production. Empirical research shows that these products are more often than not identical with minimal to no variation hence they aren’t competitive and this limits the returns from the crafts. The main objective of this study was to explore the design interventions in women’s crafts in Kenya and how they can be utilized for more economically sustainable crafts practice. The study was qualitative and applied a multiple-case study approach. Setting: the study was conducted in women’s crafts groups located in Machakos and Kajiado counties in Kenya. The respondents in this study were women in crafts production aged between 23 and 70 years. The results revealed that 100% of the respondents were of the opinion that design is key to improved products and improved services. They however were cognizant of the fact that it would be expensive to have a designer attached to the group on a full-time basis and therefore felt that it would be more viable to seek design extension services in their processes. The study concluded that every women’s craft initiative needs to have access to design extension services that would help in improving knowledge and skills, give technical design input and trigger the creativity of the artisans, motivate them through co-designing and boost their self-confidence which would lead to improved productivity and better returns.

2023-06-27T00:00:00Z Mwangi, R. Maina, S. M. Munene, M. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163744 2023-11-20T08:42:28Z 2023-06-27T00:00:00Z

Participatory action research (PAR) for community based conservation in Kenya. Mwangi, R.; Maina, S. M.; Munene, M. According to UN Biodiversity Agreement Cop 15, one of the targets is to ensure equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities. Participatory approaches have been used to engage local people in protected area management and conservation action. While participatory approaches implemented empower the locals to contribute to conservation and development processes, their contributions and indigenous knowledge is not considered within the framework (Ericson, 2004). Community engagement has been involved at the implementation stages of policy making with a top down approach to participation theory leaving the community members helpless when donors stop funding a project. The main objective of the study is to engage all the community members at all stages of planning conservation projects through active participatory approaches. Hence the need for a bottom-up approach to participation for a successful community approach to wildlife conservation programs. The study used interviews and observation methods for data collection which was analyzed using qualitative techniques. The researcher studied two community-led conservancies in Northern and Southern Kenya to assess the level of participation in conservation programs by analyzing gender, age and other social factors that may enhance or hinder active participation of community members in sustainable community-based conservation. The study revealed that children under 18 years did not participate in conservation so are the women and youth in the community were marginalized in participation. The study concluded that bottom up approach to conservation was necessary in policy making and active participation through action research increased the motivation of individual members and hence the success of community based conservancies towards achieving development.

2023-06-27T00:00:00Z Odera, J. A Maina, S. M. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163743 2023-11-20T08:38:55Z 2023-06-27T00:00:00Z

Art and design aiding children living with autism in Nairobi Odera, J. A; Maina, S. M. Background: The number of children affected by autism has risen, with 1 in every 59 children being diagnosed within the spectrum (WHO, 2022). In Kenya, the disorder affects approximately four per cent of the population according to a 2007 Autism Society of Kenya estimation. Such children face certain day to day challenges with the main ones falling under communication, social interaction, sensory sensitivities and behavioural issues. Considering that communication and social interaction are part of the most vital day to day activities in every human being, Autism Spectrum Disorder therefore affects a very important part of the children’s lives. Problem: The condition impairs the communication process, leading to a cavity in nteraction between the children faced with Autism and their families and friends. There exists a tendency to ignore the emotional attachment and reaction children have with the products that they use which would otherwise improve their recovery process. In Kenya, therapists and support centres are challenged to find products that they can use for the treatment of children with Autism, with limited resources and financial constraints. Consequently, the products that are provided are not only limited but also do not fully explore the recovery process. Objectives: to explore possibilities of emotional design in aiding communication and therapeutics for children living with autism. Design: the study applied two types of research design: the case study research design and descriptive research. The case study was on the Differently Talented Society of Kenya (DTSK), a registered society that brings together parents of children with autism and children on the autism spectrum as well as professionals in the field of autism and special needs. Descriptive research method involved observing and describing the behaviour of subjects without influencing them in any way. Setting: the study was conducted in Nairobi, specifically at The Differently Talented Society of Kenya, a registered society and the Autism Support Centre, an organization that aims at helping and creating awareness on Autism and the Autism Society of Kenya which facilitates the assistance provided to autistic children in Nairobi and Kenya at large. Subjects: this included autistic children, their parents and committee members of societies that support autism in Nairobi. Results: it emerged that there was a great flaw in the communication process that children within the autism spectrum are involved, and to facilitate proper communication then products have an upper hand in easing the process. The products must also offer some kind of therapy to the children, neutralizing their sensory and behavioural sensitivities. Conclusion: Characteristics of the design products to be used were also uncovered and include colour, texture and balance. In regard to the proposed emotional design products, the study recommended Consideration of sensory issues, Creation of clear visual cues, consideration of safety and use of simple and clear language to create calm and quiet environments.

2023-06-27T00:00:00Z