Digitising Gurene Basketry Motifs: Bridging Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Graphic Design

Abstract

The study investigates the digitisation of Gurene basketry motifs and their application in designing contemporary graphic products as a way to preserve and promote the indigenous cultural heritage of the Gurene people in Ghana. The research employed an art-based research design and systematically digitised 12 Gurene basketry motifs. These motifs were subsequently used to create a variety of graphic products such as t-shirts, wall hangings, a branded vehicle, a backpack, sofa cushions, a pair of sneakers, packaging as well as cloths. The results of the study highlight the aesthetic value of Gurene motifs and demonstrate how their digitisation can connect traditional artistry with modern design technologies to produce diverse artistic products. The study also illustrates how digitalisation can play a crucial role in preserving indigenous cultural traditions and artefacts, making them accessible to a broader audience who may not otherwise encounter them. The researchers assert that digitising indigenous motifs is a viable strategy for cultural conservation and creative innovation. Additionally, the study provides a replicable framework for others looking to incorporate cultural aesthetics into contemporary designs and to safeguard their indigenous artistic knowledge for future generations.