By Sifelani Tsiko
Harare, Zimbabwe (April 20 2007)

AFRICAN designers have over time made significant inroads in interior décor, architectural, automotive, engineering and industrial designs challenging prejudices against design from the African continent.

And, when I bought the latest edition of the New African magazine, a story about Nigerian Jelani Aliyu, a lead creative designer of General Motors captured my hard core motorhead instincts.

The story is fascinating in many ways and gives an inside look at the process through the glamorous works of art and techniques of this top African designer at GM.

Zimbabweans and many other Africans across the continent love the variety of icon vehicles on the world market today.

And to read about a black man who has broken psychological barriers to penetrate the white-dominated automotive design field leaves the world with a refreshing view of the African continent

Aliyu is one of the few African auto designers who are helping to challenge prejudices against design from the African continent and making the world to appreciate the more complex and diverse images of African culture.

He is at the very front edge of globalisation by leading the design of the Chevrolet Volt, the first mass-market prototype iconic vehicle to operate on an electric motor.

The Volt model which is expected to go into production in 2009 will be powered by new style lithium batteries which will plug into an electricity socket. Car design is a complex art that involves a lot more than just putting pen to paper or mouse to pad.

My skills are perfect for Africa. Don't forget, that I am not just an auto designer, but first and foremost an industrial designer. And as an industrial designer, the training is first to understand people's problems and then tailor a solution to that specific problem in the form of a design, Aliyu told the New African in an interview.

"We create unique solutions for unique problems, every time we are tasked and don't usually replicate what we've already done somewhere else…not copy and paste."

Aliyu gives Africans every reason to celebrate the innovative talents on our continent.
His story helps to promote African design which will inspire and encourage young innovative African designers.

I have always designed cars. It has been my passion for as long a I can remember. As a little boy in my courtyard at home, while growing up in Sokoto, Nigeria, I would make models and sketches of all types of cars, while other kids played, Aliyu says tracing his roots.

I knew this was truly what I wanted to do, but actualising the dream wasn't so straight forward. After secondary school, at the local Federal Government College, I tried to get a scholarship to pursue a career outside of Nigeria but the Sokoto state government had just suspended giving out scholarships to intending international students.

So I proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria to study architecture. What I really wanted to learn however was how to make cars, which they couldn't offer me, as indeed no university in Nigeria at the time could, he says.

 

He later got a scholarship to study automotive design at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan in 1990 after having acquired an associate degree in architecture in Nigeria.

In 1994, Aliyu was employed by GM and was sent for further training at the company's Advanced Studios where he learnt about how to strategise effective products for the company's future programmes.

He made a mark at the company and in 1997 he was chosen as the lead interior designer for the Buick Rendezvous and seconded to Germany in 1999 to work at Opel.

Aliyu was instrumental in reshaping the Astra range of vehicles.
In 2001 he was back in the US, this time as the lead exterior designer on the Pontiac G6, what the New Africa says is a modern interpretation of the Grand AM platform.

He produced a number of other impressive designs before being drafted to join the team working on the 'high priority' Volt project.

Aliyu is the lead exterior designer for the Volt which has taken auto exhibitions by storm since early 2007.

His story gives young African minds a chance to experience new design cultures and discover new ways and to yearn to take break to new and higher ground when it comes to science and technology.

 

To find their dream, articulate it and pursue it with all that they have. Many people told me I could never be a car designer and looking back at their advice, they were not the crazy ones. I probably was.

But I did not let that put me off. I stuck around the people that believed in my dream and eventually made it. Nothing is impossible if we don't give up our pursuit, Aliyu says when asked about his advice to the young people.

 

Africa still faces numerous challenges when it comes to first creating a conducive environment to promote innovation among young scientists and secondly, in retaining its highly skilled professionals who opt to leave the continent in search of better working conditions.

Aliyu's case points to the need to open more schools that specialise in creative design, architecture and industrial design so as to help build and nurture African talent.

A further aim, might be to research and define aspects of contemporary African design culture, to map and articulate new design values that have evolved from African culture and its interaction with other cultures.

It is also important to form design collaborations with African Americans who are now a growing force in the automotive design field.

Ed Welburn, is the first African-American design chief at GM    who was appointed in 2003 and is helping to open space for young talented blacks –both at home and abroad.     

Ed Welburn's crew got rave reviews for their latest creation, the Buick Valite.
This finely tailored, four-seat convertible with its gleaming, shield-shaped grille, is expected to be on the road in 2008.

Welburn, 54, oversees 600 designers at 11 studios worldwide. As design chief, Welburn is the sixth person in GM's 95-year history to hold the position and the first African American.

He was instrumental in the designing of GM's Pontiac Solstice, Hummer H3, and its Cadillac Escalade range of vehicles. One hopes that when the time comes, Aliyu and other African automotive designers will help open creative design schools back here at home to help make a dream come true for the thousands of young talented Africans who lack a platform to nurture their talents and innovative skills.

McKinley Thompson was the first major African-American car      designer at Ford Motor Company   in 1956 and Aliyu and other upcoming African designers are making significant inroads helping to consolidate the continent's thrust to encourage innovative African designers.

Africa can.