Indigenous Materials, Crafts & Product Design

Course Overview

In this course, you explore materials and craft techniques such as fibre and reed preparation, weaving, basketry, cane and rattan work, aquatic biomass, woodcraft, ceramics, murals and surface finishes. You investigate a user’s need, then develop a product idea through drawings, samples, models, production planning and a documented portfolio. Bamboo has its own KENCID course, so this guide focuses on the other material and craft areas.

Kenya’s craft traditions belong to particular people and places. When your research draws on community knowledge, begin with context and consent. Credit the people who contribute, agree how you may share or sell the work, and discuss fair benefits. Treat cultural motifs and knowledge with respect; do not assume that anyone can freely use them as design resources.

Compare a traditional technique with a new application, then document what you learned and how contributors shaped your work. Use costing, finishing, quality checks and customer feedback to understand how a crafted product can reach an audience.

Why Study Indigenous Materials, Crafts & Product Design

Choose this course if you enjoy making and want to understand the functional, cultural and commercial meaning of materials. Build a portfolio that records where your idea came from, how you sought consent and attribution, what you tested, how your prototypes changed and what you made.

What You Will Explore

• Material and technique research Record material characteristics, provenance and suitable making processes.
• Craft and product development Move from a brief and sample to a useful, well-presented product concept.
• Responsible collaboration Plan consent, attribution and fair benefit when your work involves community knowledge.
• Quality and enterprise Track finishing, costing, production choices and user feedback.