If you talk to people in the know, the next hot design to watch is in Nigeria. Whether it’s music, fashion or textiles, the designers are blending African traditions with modern design, giving life to a fresh new perspective.

“Rooted in traditions of exceptional craftsmanship but representing a full range of aesthetic variety, materials and conceptual ideas, the Nigerian design scene is one to watch,” Cultured Magazine wrote in 2021.

It is in this scene that designer Olabumni Adeyemi operates. Adeyemi is the founder of DÅ Brand, a Lagos, Nigeria-based Afro-minimalist design, culture and lifestyle brand that is “rooted in simplicity and inspired by culture.”

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The company’s products include multifunctional, sustainable home goods, kitchen utensils, and furniture. Each piece adheres to the company’s ethos of Afrocentric minimalism, blending Japanese and Scandinavian design with strong African heritage. Additionally, the brand uses locally sourced, sustainable materials to promote cultural craftsmanship.

We wanted to know more, so we reached out to Adeyemi to find out about his inspiration, African design and the future of his work and the company:

Design Vibes: How would you describe DA Brand, and what is your mission?

Olabumni Adeyemi: DA is the Yoruba word for “Make or Create” it is derived from the Yoruba word “ELEDA” which is translated as “Creator or Maker” – Guided by the AFROMINIMA design ethos – we create everyday objects in different lifestyle categories – DA is a design, culture and lifestyle brand. AFROMINIMA, meaning “Afrocentric minimalism,” is a modern design language that expresses Afrocentric identity through minimal form and culturally rooted. Our mission is to design and produce everyday objects that merge African cultural intelligence with minimalist design, creative timeless products for modern living. 

DV: What is the genesis of the company/firm?

Olabumni: From a very young age I’ve always been passionate about design and architecture and how it has impacted our everyday lives, I was particularly interested in my cultural background which is Yoruba and the simplicity of our crafts and vernacular approach to design and the impact it has on us from fashion, the arts to music. I wanted to create an everyday lifestyle brand that is modern and accessible to a global audience.
 

Ojú (Yoruba for “face”) is a wooden sculpture that celebrates the depth of human emotion and African artistry. Hand-carved with minimalist features and rich texture, this piece evokes introspection and presence, the firm says.

DV: What is your background and what is your ultimate goal with the brand?

Olabumni: My Dad is an Architect and so I grew up in a creative environment, I studied interior design in London and Cape Town and I have a masters in Applied Imagination in the creative industries from The University of the Arts London – Central Saint Martins. My ultimate goal is for DA to become an internationally recognized lifestyle brand selling culturally intelligent products across the world from Japan to UAE and beyond.

DV: The items run a wide range of categories, from home products to toys. What is the breakdown of what you produce?

Olabumni: We have a trademark product collection which is RawUrban which is a combination of “Raw Material + Urban Design” using locally sourced sustainable materials and local craftsmanship to empower local artisans and suppliers and their communities. Our products range from Kitchen, Tableware, Living, Play, Decor, Storage etc 

DV: Are all of the products designed in-house? And where are the products made?

Olabumni: All our products are designed in-house and we have our own factory where our products are made by our artisans – it’s the cuteness between craft and industry. 

Each piece in the Wooden Coasters collection is unique, showcasing rich wood grains and smooth finishes that blend seamlessly with any decor style.

DV: How would you describe the design of your products?

Olabumni: We have both a minimalist design ethos and sustainable product line that fuses together to create our products. We combine African craft, Japanese restraint and Scandinavian honesty for a global appeal which is comparable in spirit to brands like Muji, Aesop and HAY but rooted in African origin.

DV: You are based in Lagos, Nigeria. What is the design scene there?

Olabumni: The design scene is quite robust and it grows every year – we have local/global initiatives such as The Lagos Design Week and Lagos Fashion Week – we also have design houses such as Alara and NAHOUS which are paving the way for a larger global outreach and design + cultural revolution and representation. 

The handcrafted wooden Danfo bus is inspired by the iconic yellow minibuses of Nigeria. “This charming decor piece captures the vibrant energy and culture of the city,” the firm says.

DV: Different parts of the world–Denmark, Italy and Japan–have exported their designs to a global audience, including the U.S.A. Do you think we will see African designs exported to the world?

Olabumni: This is our vision and we have sold our product in different parts of the world from Paris, London, UAE, South Africa, Japan, Switzerland and U.S.A 

DV: At the moment, are your products sold internationally or only in your region?

Olabumni: Yes. Some of our products are presently available in Japan and in our region. 

DV: Do you draw inspiration from Africa or are you mixing cultures in your designs?

Olabumni: Design is universal inspiration comes from different parts of the world from Japan to Scandinavia but we make sure our design ethos is rooted in cultural aesthetic with a modern approach. 

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