Top 10 November 2014

Our 10 most popular stories for the month of November shine a light on craft, fashion, music and photography on the African continent.

The most popular story during the month of November 2014 was French designer Matali Crasset’s first-hand account of her basket-weaving workshop held in Zimbabwe. Following this was Dutch author Anne van der Zwaag's new book that aims to help businesses and governments see the power of design to address key challenges facing the world.

Eight out of the ten most popular features on designindaba.com featured the many forms of creativity arising from across the African continent. These included a Lookbook featuring emerging designer Thabo Makhetha’s launch of her new collection based on the Basotho blanket at Vancouver Fashion Week, a head-bobbing track by Afro-R&B artist Roberto, an insightful video interview shot in the heart of Kenya featuring engineer and businessman Evans Wadongo, and an African Report that looked at Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj’s striking portraits.

Lastly, a new infant care system that proposes radically improved incubators that transmit sensory input from the mother designed by two industrial designers and Master’s students at the Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden also caught readers' attention.

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi: It's time for African fashion to shine

Video Interviews > African Design / Fashion & Jewellery Design

The Ghanaian designer behind AAKS accessories brand tells us why she thinks Africa's time has come. >

24 Nov 14
A street tailor on every corner

African Report > African Design / Fashion & Jewellery Design

Fashion designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi left Ghana to study in London but chose to return home afterwards to set up her own accessories brand. She tells us why. >

14 Nov 14
Matali Crasset on making baskets in Bulawayo

Design Frontiers > African Design / Craft

The French designer tells us in her own words about her time spent with Zimbabwean weavers developing baskets based on the gourd. >

11 Nov 14
A travel guide to social design

Profiling > Design Activism / Design Thinking

Dutch author Anne van der Zwaag hopes her new book will help businesses and governments see the power of design to address key challenges facing the world. >

11 Nov 14
Basotho blankets go north

Lookbook > Fashion & Jewellery Design

Emerging fashion designer Thabo Makhetha launched her modern take on the Basotho blanket at Vancouver Fashion Week 2014. >

8 Nov 14
"Ama-Rulah" by Roberto

Track of the Week > Music & Sound Design

This week we look to Lusaka, Zambia, for a head-bobbing track by Afro-R&B artist Roberto. >

6 Nov 14
Why girls should code

Inside View > African Design / Design Thinking / Information Design / Interaction Design

Code4CT is getting girls to code – while arming them with a technical toolkit to take on leadership roles. >

5 Nov 14
Evans Wadongo: The little light that could

Video Interviews > Product Design

Kenyan engineer and businessman Evans Wadongo tells us about his award-winning MwangaBora light and creating a sustainable economy in rural areas. >

4 Nov 14
Replicating the mother's womb

Design Frontiers > Industrial Design / Interaction Design

A new infant care system proposes radically improved incubators that transmit the mother's heartbeat, breathing and voice. >

4 Nov 14
The playful portraitist

African Report > African Design / Art & Photography

Patterns clash and cultures collide in Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj's striking portraits. >

31 Oct 14

Top 10 November 2014

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