This paper focused on assessing the viability of promoting made in Nigeria leather products on electronic commerce platforms using the leather products produced in Nigeria Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Zaria (NILEST) as a case study. The paper acknowledged the quality and competitive market value of NILEST leather products. Promoted leather products were purposively selected and arranged for a photographic session. Each of the leather works are photographed from different angles. The photographed product images were enhanced on the computer and uploaded for promotion into an existing e-commerce platform. The opinions of one hundred thirty (130) e-commerce shoppers were sampled through a closed questionnaire. The outcome showed that appealing display of leather works from all sides on an e-commerce platform gives shoppers a convincing grasp of the promoted products, and this can influence patronage of the leather works. It was recommended that the leather industry should explore the limitless capabilities offered by e-commerce to leverage an impressive market acceptance transcending geographical barriers. Also, makers of leather products must embrace best practices in their chain-value of production to churn out appealing leather works that attract patronage online. Keywords: Nigerian Leather, Promotion, Merchandizing, Colour Ecommerce Platform

This paper explores the role of colour and visual weight in developing craftsential e-commerce platform for enhancing the patronage of Nigerian arts and crafts. The paper articulates the impressive embrace of e-commerce as a viable alternative to physical retail shopping. The graphic user interface of craftsential e-commerce platform developed to exclusively promote arts and crafts was explored vis-à-vis colours and visual weight of the sites visual indicators and icons. The study administered the questionnaires on three hundred and thirteen respondents constituting of e-commerce users, graphic designers/artists and programmers. Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the results. Findings revealed that the colourful graphic user interface (look and feel) of e-commerce stores facilitates immersive shopping experience online and concise visual weight and direction in the atmospheric cue of e-commerce stores, enhancing navigation. The study recommended that makers and sellers of Nigerian crafts should explore the limitless opportunities offered by e-commerce to leverage an impressive market embrace of their products that transcend their geographical constrains. In addition, to stimulate shopper’s interest, the images of retailed craft works displayed on e-commerce stores should reflect the product merchandizing, clarity and attractiveness that enhance shopping experience.

This paper enunciates the impact of e-commerce in redefining contemporary buying and selling globally. The paper articulates the importance of high internet penetration to consumers embrace of e-commerce in enhancing the growth of Africa emerging markets. The potentials of e-commerce provide an enabling opportunity for the promotion and sale of African arts and crafts within Africa and globally. Apparently, the originality and richness of African arts and crafts resonates functionality and desirability of the works. Therefore, this paper developed a framework for the development and implementation of an e-commerce platform specifically built for the promotion of African arts and crafts. The developed framework is anchored on three dimensions namely web design graphics, user experience and web advertisements. Components of web design graphics include visual weight, colour psychology, page layout and photography. User Experience is categorized into graphic user interface, navigation, ergonomics, design and implementation, web development languages, e-commerce enterprise framework and search engine optimization. The web advertisement components are content marketing, social media, public relation and social marketing. Keyword: E-commerce Visual Weight Colour Psychology Page Layout User Experience

African print is the textile term used to describe machine printed wax print designs on fabrics. These fabrics are commonly referred to as Ankara fabrics. They are valuable items in the African textile market because they have high economic value. This study focused on the simulation of African print fabrics in the textile studio using screen printing technique. The study adopted practice-led research design in the textile studio. Five (5) African print fabric designs were created using CorelDraw graphic design suite. CorelDraw graphic suite was used because of its flexibility for colour separation. The materials used are screen printing mesh, textile ink, fabrics, squeegee and exposure unit among others. The study established the possibility of producing novel African print fabrics without the need for heavy machines. It was therefore recommended that textile designers should engage in studio production of African print fabrics. This will enhance the production of original and novel African print fabric designs that are readily available to the end users.

Ere Ibeji is the carved wooden figure used to commemorate the death of twin(s) among the Yoruba people of Southwest, Nigeria. Existing literature focuses on myth, sacred and artistic values of this traditional wood carving while issues of protection and preservation of its tangible as well as intangible belief system are gradually fading out. This study aimed at sustaining the twin’s figuring carving tradition, which seems to be winding out due to civilization. The study examined available data surrounding twins’ birth, thereby advocating the preservation of the surviving ere ibejis. The findings of the study show a reasonable number of ere ibejis that have been taken outside Nigeria while others are in the national museums. The study recommends the retrieval of the ones taken abroad, the use of improved conservation methods in the museums as well as the promotion of cultural heritage management in Nigeria.