We wanted to reflect on the cultural significance that blankets have on popular African traditions and cultural ceremonies. This project was inspired by Southern African cultural and ceremonial events, where a blanket is used as a symbol of protection and security.
Using Augmented Reality as a medium we explore how to encapsulate inspirations and motifs attached to the project using Instagram and Facebook. By creating virtual AR assets, our focus was on projecting African design in the metaverse. Users will be able to scan a special QR code to access the effects.
The Blanket was broken into three themes: water, air, and fire. The blue blanket (water) was inspired by weddings, graduations, and reunions as a token of appreciation from families and friends. The white blanket (air) was inspired by the popular use of white, black, and/or red for initiation schools, burial ceremonies, and childbirth rituals. The red blanket (fire) was inspired by the Basotho farmers, spiritual healers, and the Masai.
by Kym Fiala (Pixel Chef) and Ntando Ngwenya (Ntando XV)
Format: Augmented Reality
CREDITS
Production | Kym Fiala (AR Developer at Pixel Chefs)
Designer | Ntando Ngwenya (Ntando XV)
Product Developer | Kerri Button (Aranda Textile)
Production | Kym Fiala
Accountant | Thembi Ndlovu
Assistant | Thuli Mangele and Zamokuhle Ntombela
The Design Futures Lab is a creative economy project, hosted by Electric South, Twyg, and Crossover Labs and supported by the British Council #SouthernAfricaArts. The Design Futures Lab was held in March 2022 and this is one of nine prototypes completed in June 2022.
