Daniel Okonkwo
Contemporary African design correspondent
Daniel Okonkwo covers contemporary African design from Lagos. Trained as an industrial designer; previously contributing editor at Design Indaba.
Student-Led Design Projects Forge a Sustainability-Driven Future
Across universities, student initiatives are reimagining the intersection of sustainability and design. From biodegradable materials to energy-efficient architecture, these projects signal a shift in priorities for future practitioners.
Aziz Hazara: Fractured Geographies and the Art of Resilience
Aziz Hazara’s latest exhibition transforms conflict and sanctions into layered visual narratives, interrogating the global structures that shape individual lives.
MSCHF's Lexus Transformations Blur Art and Technology
MSCHF's reimagining of Lexus vehicles as surreal sculptures prompts reflection on consumer culture and the evolving role of technology in design.
Reclaiming the Future: Sustainable Innovations in Material Use
Architects and designers are reshaping sustainability by integrating reclaimed materials and creating high-performance, environmentally mindful buildings.
Changing Landscapes: Jesus Mari Lazkano’s Art in an Ecological Frame
Spanish artist Jesus Mari Lazkano uses both canvas and screen to interrogate humanity’s footprint on the natural world, blending traditional landscape painting with animation to deepen our ecological dialogue.
Wellness by Design: How Functionality Meets Emotional Well-being
As wellness deepens to include the mental and emotional, contemporary design reimagines the places we inhabit—reshaping daily life.
From Stools to Statements: Iconic Chair Design on Display at Christie’s
Christie's exhibition, '50 Chairs at Christie’s', explores chair design as functional furniture and a storytelling medium, bridging past and present through form and innovation.
Sustainability Takes Root in Modern Interior Design
From terracotta floors to reclaimed timber, eco-conscious interiors are reshaping the global design narrative, with Lagos-based projects setting notable examples.
Rethinking Space: IKEA's Tiny House Initiative and the Future of Home
IKEA's tiny houses challenge conventional living. By redefining identity and culture through compact design, the initiative merges sustainability with self-expression.
How Technology is Reshaping Modern Design and Sustainability
Contemporary designers leverage AI, 3D printing, and digital workflows to streamline production, reduce waste, and meet evolving consumer demands.
From Trading Cards to Rare Designs: Collectibles in Contemporary Art Markets
Collectibles blur the line between popular culture and fine art, reshaping perceptions of value in global markets.
Identity in Focus: Furniture Design at the A’ Design Award
The A’ Design Award celebrates furniture that prioritizes individuality, challenging established standards with personal design narratives.
Art Biennales as Battlegrounds: Representation, Censorship, and Cultural Identity
National pavilions at major art biennales have increasingly become flashpoints for debates over identity and political narratives.
Everyday Objects, Elevated: The Fusion of Art and Technology
Designers worldwide merge technology with art to create functional, expressive objects, transforming our interaction with everyday tools.
Dopamine Decor: How Interior Design is Shifting Towards Emotional Well-Being
Bright colours, playful textures, and emotive layouts signal a shift in interior design towards 'dopamine decor,' reflecting the growing emphasis on mental health in spatial design.
Emerging Voices: The 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellows Reshape Contemporary Art
The 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellowship honors 15 artists whose practices reflect the vibrant, pluralistic energy of today's art world, from experimental abstraction to community-centered activism.
The Playable Monobloc Chair: A Design of Function and Memory
A common plastic chair is reimagined as a musical instrument, redefining the relationship between design, utility, and artistic expression.
Art as Mirror: Reflecting Society's Fractures and Futures
From Lagos to London, artists confront climate change and identity politics, sparking necessary conversations about contemporary society.
Crafting a Greener Future: Emerging Trends in Sustainable Design
Makers across Africa are embedding sustainability into their craft, signalling a shift in the cultural and environmental priorities of design.
Building Resilience: Venezuelan Artists Respond to Crisis
In a country reeling from seismic upheavals, Venezuelan artists are turning to collective creation, blending old methods with urgent new messages to rebuild both community and hope.
Bacterial Pigments: Designing with Living Colour
Bacterial pigmentation in design signals a shift towards living systems that could reshape sustainability in material production.
Mapping Mobile Urban Infrastructure: Street Vending in India
An evolving project reframes street vending as critical infrastructure, advocating for its inclusion in urban planning conversations across Indian cities.
From Textile Waste to Timeless Furniture: A Circular Economy Approach
A Lagos-based collective transforms discarded fabrics into high-design furniture, demonstrating that circularity is essential in contemporary design.
Material Futures: Sustainable Craftsmanship in a Changing World
Across Africa, artisans are leveraging new materials and methods to redefine sustainable craftsmanship, blending tradition with innovation to meet the demands of a more discerning and eco-conscious audience.
The Renaissance of Craft in Contemporary Design
Craftsmanship is no longer a relic of heritage; contemporary designers are weaving traditional techniques into modern design narratives.
Artistic Commissions at the Obama Center: Identity and Community in Focus
The Obama Presidential Center’s new commissions by artists such as Amanda Williams and Hank Willis Thomas create a dialogue about history, identity, and the communities that shape them.
Digital Looms: Kristian V.K. Falden Weaves AI into Textiles
Kristian V.K. Falden’s textile practice merges AI-generated imagery with traditional weaving techniques, creating new dialogues between craft, technology and artistry.
Crafting Community: The Essential Role of Connection in Contemporary Craft
At Toast in New York, makers and curators explore how collective action and collaboration sustain the craft sector amid shifting economies and aesthetics.
The Snowman22 Collection: Playful Lighting Meets Modern Aesthetics
ILKW’s Snowman22 lighting collection merges sculptural whimsy with functionality, redefining the role of lighting in contemporary living spaces.
Diversity as a Blueprint: Contemporary Design and Cultural Expression
Contemporary design increasingly draws from the distinctiveness of cultural narratives, weaving diversity into its core fabric across exhibitions and workshops.