Extraction, Digitization, and Textile Application of Kòkòrò (Insects)-Inspired Motifs from Yorùbáland for Surface Pattern Design and Digital Fabric Printing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63456/tsrj-2-2-51Keywords:
Computer-aided design (CAD), Cultural sustainability, Digital textile printing, Insect-inspired motifs, Motif digitization, Textile surface design, YorùbálandAbstract
This study explores the extraction, digitization, and application of Kokoro (Insects)-inspired motifs from Yorubaland for contemporary textile surface design using degital printing techniques. The research adopts a practice-based design methodology integrating photographic documentation, motif abstraction, computer-aided design (CAD), and textile prototyping. Digital printing technologies enable precise color application and motif reproduction, enhancing design accuracy and scalability in textile production. Motifs derived from selected Kokoro (Insects) from were digitized and developed into repeat patterns, which were applied to fabric substrates using digital textile printing. The resulting textile samples were evaluated based on aesthetic quality, motif clarity, and color performance. Findings indicate that indigenous insect forms can be effectively transformed into contemporary textile designs, contributing to innovative surface pattern development. the study demonstrates the potential of integrating indigenous visual resources with modern textile technologies, thereby promoting cultural sustainability and design innovation in textile production.
References
[1] Abiodun, R. (2014). Yoruba art and language: Seeking the African in African art. Cambridge University Press.
[2] Benyus, J. M. (1997). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. William Morrow.
[3] Drewal, H. J., Pemberton, J., & Abiodun, R. (1989). Yoruba: Nine centuries of African art and thought. Center for African Art.
[4] Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
[5] Fletcher, K. (2014). Sustainable fashion and textiles: Design journeys. Routledge.
[6] Ganesan, P. (2021). Digital textile printing technologies and applications. Journal of Textile Engineering, 12(3), 45–52.
[7] Gray, C., & Malins, J. (2004). Visualizing research: A guide to the research process in art and design. Ashgate.
[8] Hussain, T., & Nawaz, M. (2022). Advances in direct-to-film printing for textile applications. Textile Research Journal, 92(15–16), 2890–2902.
[9] Jackson, P. (2011). Digital textile design. Thames & Hudson.
[10] Kipphan, H. (2001). Handbook of print media. Springer.
[11] Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology, 22(140), 1–55.
[12] Picton, J., & Mack, J. (1979). African textiles. British Museum Publications.
[13] Radhakrishna, S., & Khanna, P. (2014). Computer-aided textile design systems. International Journal of Fashion Technology, 6(2), 89–97.
[14] Rovine, V. L. (2015). African fashion, global style: Histories, innovations, and ideas you can wear. Indiana University Press.
[15] Soini, K., & Birkeland, I. (2014). Exploring the scientific discourse on cultural sustainability. Geoforum, 51, 213–223.
[16] Throsby, D. (2008). Modelling the cultural industries. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 14(3), 217–232.
[17] Woodhead Publishing. (2011). Advances in textile design. Woodhead Publishing.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Christianah Yetunde Kolawole, Dr. Olayinka Olumide Bakare, Saminu S. Yakubu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
