Design Innovation as a Sustainable Means to Raise Awareness of Ghana’s Indigenous Clothing Style

Mohammed Ibrahim; Atta Kusi Ankrah; Mark Oduro Brobbey; Adu Acheampong; Amos Emmanuel; Maud Schall; Michael Obeng Nyarko

doi:10.35738/jdcs.v1.2026.02

Authors

Mohammed Ibrahim Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3016-6531 (unauthenticated)
Atta Kusi Ankrah Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8284-8433 (unauthenticated)
Mark Oduro Brobbey Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8125-9281 (unauthenticated)
Adu Acheampong Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5480-3143 (unauthenticated)
Amos Emmanuel Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9835-8366 (unauthenticated)
Maud Schall Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8617-6702 (unauthenticated)
Michael Obeng Nyarko Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2824-4754 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35738/jdcs.v1.2026.02

Keywords:

Design innovation, fashion, indigenous clothing style, cultural heritage, illustration, sustainability

Abstract

Purpose: Indigenous clothing is prioritised as part of Ghana’s cultural heritage because it promotes important traditions that sustain cultural identity and diversity. Although clothing has been used to express identity, yet little attention is given to the indigenous Ghanaian royal clothing styles due to the perception attached to it by the Ghanaian youth. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the ‘densikran’ clothing style, which reveals sections of the clothing and raises awareness of the Ghanaian traditional royal clothing adorning style.

Methodology/Design: A design-led method was used, employing a studio-based approach and a stylised interpretation method to generate new development through practice. The approach involved simplification, exaggeration, distortion, abstraction, expressionism, and idealisation.

Findings: The study reveals that adinkra symbols illustrated in Adobe Photoshop transform creative concepts for innovative ‘Densinkran’ cloth design through Simplification, Exaggeration, Distortion, Abstraction, Expression, and Ideation. The hairstyle is used to communicate the status of queen mothers, and the ‘atete’ cloth piece has a string tied at the waist to prevent it from slipping down.

Practical and Social Implications: The study highlights the potential to use Adobe Photoshop to illustrate adinkra symbols and create unique motifs for ‘Densikran’ cloth design. The process can streamline the design process, reduce the time and effort required to create intricate Adinkra designs. It propels the emergence of innovative products and services that incorporate custom fabric design, textile printing, and fashion design. Additionally, it preserves Ghana’s cultural heritage and empowers local communities to take ownership of their traditional knowledge and skills, thereby developing sustainable livelihoods.

Originality: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on Adinkra symbols and their application in design by developing a novel method of illustrating Adinkra symbols using Adobe Photoshop, creating a new design framework for ‘Densikran’ cloth designing, and providing new insights into the cultural significance of Adinkra symbols in the modern design context.

Author Biographies

Mohammed Ibrahim

Mohammed Ibrahim is an academic and researcher from Tamale, born in Old Tafo, Kumasi, the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He lectures at the Fashion Design and Textile Studies Department at Kumasi Technical University. Ibrahim is pursuing a PhD in Art and Culture at the Department of Music at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Ibrahim is pursuing a PhD in Art and Culture at the University of Education, Winneba. He holds multiple degrees, including an MPhil in Fashion Design Technology from KNUST and an MTech in Fashion Design and Textile Technology. His research focuses on textile design, fashion design, creative design, fashion history, critical thinking, and sustainability in fashion, textiles, and design.
Atta Kusi Ankrah

Atta Kusi Ankrah (PhD) is an academic and a researcher from Sunyani Odumasi, born in Asawasi, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He lectures at the Department of Graphic Design at Kumasi Technical University. He holds a Master's in Art Education and a Bachelor’s in Painting and Sculpture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. His research focuses on the assessment of practical works, fashion illustration, Computer-Aided Design and Aesthetics. His research focuses on assessment, Fashion illustration, aesthetics, and criticism of artefacts.
Mark Oduro Brobbey

Mark Oduro Brobbey is an academic, researcher, and industrialist born in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. He lectures at the Department of Graphic Design at Kumasi Technical University. He holds a master’s degree in communication design and is currently doing his PhD at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on practical works, creative illustration, Computer-Aided Design, aesthetics, and digital printing.
Adu Acheampong

Adu Acheampong is an academic, researcher, and industrialist born in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. He lectures at Kumasi Technical University in the department of Graphic Design. He holds a Master's degree in communication design and is currently doing his PhD at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on creative illustration, Computer-Aided Design, Aesthetics, and digital printing.
Amos Emmanuel

Amos Emmanuel (PhD) is an academic, researcher, and industrialist born in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. He lectures at Kumasi Technical University in the department of Graphic Design. He holds a PhD degree in Art Education from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on illustration, Computer-Aided Design, Aesthetics, and digital drawing.
Maud Schall

Maud Schall is an academic and researcher born in Accra, Ghana's Greater Accra Region. She lectures at Kumasi Technical University in the Department of Fashion Design and Textiles Studies. She is pursuing a PhD in Fashion Design Technology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Her research focuses on fashion, industrial ergonomics, and sustainability.
Michael Obeng Nyarko

Michael Obeng Nyako (PhD) is an academic and researcher born in the Volta Region of Ghana. He lectures at Kumasi Technical University in the department of Graphic Design. He holds a PhD in Art and Culture from the University of Education, Winneba. His research focuses on illustration and fashion design.

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