Evaluation of Nigerian Industrial Design Products: The Potentialities of Cultural Identity and Aesthetics

Abstract

The industrial design in Nigeria was a major source of export, income and employment for the country before the discovery of oil exploration and exploitation. This discovery of oil (Petroleum) led to government’s negligence to the people’s dignity – farming, thus resulting to corruption, poor management, white collar job perception, and certification preferences over vocational and apprenticeship careers. These were influenced by the Nigerian government policies and implementation. More so, the cultural identities and aesthetic values were also abandoned for religious beliefs while the foreign cultures were preferred over our cultural heritages. Though, the oil boom period promotes industrial and infrastructural development, and higher revenue income generation but Nigerian government failed to grow and develop the industries and comparative business advantage of the regional economy. These policies and actions portrayed by government caused the total collapse of almost all indigenous design industries leading to the present mono-economy situation Nigeria is experiencing today. This paper focuses on evaluation of Nigerian industrial design products and likewise, the potentialities of cultural identity and aesthetics.

Keywords: Industrial design, Cultural identity, Aesthetic, Government Policies.