PTF - Illustration & Design Workshop

Overview

On March 7th, 2026, "Art In The Garden City," in collaboration with "I AM VOCAL," hosted an intensive Illustration & Design Workshop at the British Council in Port Harcourt. The session was led by acclaimed artist and designer Donald Okudu (also known as Ephea), whose work is renowned for its bold exploration of African identity and social commentary.

The workshop centered on the philosophy of "Design for Social Good," moving beyond aesthetics to position art as a tool for advocacy. Okudu guided participants through the concept that artwork should not exist in a vacuum but should serve as a mirror to our lived experiences, emphasizing that creators have a responsibility to use their visual voice to challenge the status quo and "paint the future."

Key Takeaways

Awakening Consciousness: A major focus was placed on the artist’s role in awakening a consciousness for action within their community. Okudu argued that effective design should provoke thought and bridge the gap between passive observation and active engagement.

Narrative Illustration: Participants explored how to translate complex social issues—such as those highlighted by the #apathyistheenemy movement—into compelling visual narratives that resonate emotionally with an audience.

Technical Skill meets Purpose: While the workshop covered illustration techniques, the primary lesson was that technical proficiency is most powerful when harnessed for a purpose larger than the self.

Project Case Studies & Highlights

During the workshop, Okudu shared insights into several of his key projects, illustrating how different mediums and themes can converge to drive social consciousness.

The "Owotorufa" Artwork Series: A cornerstone of the discussion, this series explores the depth of cultural identity and heritage. Through Owotorufa, Okudu demonstrates how traditional motifs and ancestral narratives can be reimagined in a modern digital context, urging the audience to reclaim their roots as a foundation for future action.

Peep Weep Collection: This project was discussed as a study in emotional vulnerability and social observation. The collection uses striking imagery to comment on the internal and external struggles of the modern African experience, turning the act of "peeping" into an act of witnessing.

Made of Love: Shifting toward a hopeful narrative, Made of Love focuses on the humanity and resilience inherent in our lived experiences. Okudu used this to explain that "Design for Social Good" also involves celebrating communal bonds and the love that sustains society through hardship.

Fudge: Alongside other works, this project provided a practical understanding of how to layer meaning and texture within a design to create a more immersive storytelling experience.

Summary of Impact

The event concluded with a powerful call to action for Port Harcourt’s creative community to use their craft to address both local and global challenges. By examining Okudu’s portfolio, participants gained a roadmap for transitioning from being creators of "pretty things" to designers of "purposeful things." By blending a unique artistic style with social advocacy, the workshop successfully inspired a new cohort of designers to view their work as a vital instrument for social change.