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Welcome to Afenu, your platform for direct insights into Togolese culture with a special focus on its design features.
What is Afenu?
Afenu is not only a blog, but also an information hub for analysing the design elements in Togo’s urban space. We focus in particular on the visual language of Togolese packaging design and offer an extended project report that sheds light on the various facets of this exciting topic. In addition to informative content on the creation of the design, we also provide behind-the-scenes insights and inspiring upcycling ideas from students at Trier University of Applied Sciences in the project: Plastic recycling in Togo.
Togo, a country in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, is home to a rich culture and impressive natural diversity. Our stays focus on the capital Lomé, which fascinates with its direct access to the sea and its lively atmosphere, to the centre of the country, the city of Kpalimé, a place known for its proximity to the mountains and its diverse natural landscape.
What does Afenu want to achieve?
The idea for Afenu was born during research for Hannah Konder’s bachelor’s thesis in 2023. Under the expert supervision of Professor Harald Steber at Trier University of Applied Sciences, not only was the thesis ‘Investigating the visual language of Togolese packaging design’ written, but also the successful Togo plastic recycling project. This project was awarded the Sustainability Prize of the Design Campus at Trier University of Applied Sciences in 2023 and was developed by Mr Steber and four dedicated students in collaboration with Nature Office and Ecocent Togo 2022. The project was continued and further developed by other students in subsequent courses.
We invite you to join us on an exciting journey of discovery through the creative world of Togo and learn more about the country’s visual language, cultural treasures and sustainable initiatives. Welcome to Afenu – discover Togo with new eyes!
Idea and Motivation Hannah Konder
In September 2022, I travelled alone to Togo for a two-month stay to carry on working on a university project in the field of plastic recycling. During this time, I came up with the idea of visually depicting the city of Kpalimé in a creative work. I was fascinated by the new environment and the creative possibilities in the urban space, especially the handwritten lettering, the illustrative paintings on handmade advertising signs and the advertising in the shops. The many colours and patterns in clothing, the houses and the entire cityscape gave my stay a unique atmosphere
From this, I developed the idea for my bachelor’s thesis to elaborate a creative analysis of the design elements in the urban space, specifically in the area of packaging design and advertising strategy in Kpalimé. My aim was to explore the visual language of Togo in this area and make information accessible. So I travelled to Togo again in 2023 to implement my idea on site.
Two factors supported the realisation of my idea: firstly, in conversations with various people, I was repeatedly told that they could not imagine what it was like on the ground there. This showed me the relevance of visual education and an insight into the local culture in order to break down prejudices and promote understanding. On the other hand, it was important for me to reflect on my responsibility as a designer in an intercultural context and to strengthen my skills in this area.
Thanks to the support of natureOffice and ecocent Togo, I was able to work with Novissi women’s cooperative, where I could apply the results of my analyse of the visual language of Togolese packaging design for their products. Through this website, I not only want to share my experiences, but also encourage other designers to take responsibility in intercultural exchange and expand their skills.