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.

The paper explored literature, as well as museum’s content on the use of animal forms as elements and subjects in the traditional Nigerian art from prehistoric to the contemporary time. It identified the roles, and significance of animals to mankind, as well as appraised their aesthetic values in Visual Art. The paper dwelled on tales associated with most animals in the society. Other information was sourced from books, journal articles, pictorial images online, as well as re-use of museum’s documentations. Data was qualitatively analysed. The study identified animals as important companion of man; most animals serve as food sources, while some typifies human characters. The study concluded that, animal representations in art was born out of love and regard for them. Nevertheless, they have positively contributed to the visual aesthetics of the past and present cultures, and therefore needs to be preserved for oncoming generation to learn from them and also adopt them for art pieces.

Despite global efforts at promoting environmental sustainability through development of Green Infrastructure (GI) facilities at urban centres; social menaces, depletion and wrong use of green spaces still persists in many developing nations. Indeed, attitude of residents towards the use of these facilities have not been commensurate to the reasons why the GI facilities were created. This study therefore examines the socio-demographic factors associated with visiting GI sites among residents of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1560 participants in a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics was used to explore data distributions while Chi-square test was used to investigate residents’ socio-demographic characteristics associated with visit to green infrastructure sites in the study area. Participants were mostly men (58.6%) and younger than 50 years old (85.8%). Percentages of residents visiting GI facilities for either spiritual exercises (male=26.4%, female=23.8%) or joblessness (male=48.9%, female=52.1%) is higher than percentages of residents visiting GI facilities for recreation/relaxation (male=24.7%, female=24.1%) activities in Lagos Metropolis. The study suggests among others that, the Lagos State government should develop GI facilities to enhance more opportunity for job generation, while more public orientation on positive attitude toward use of GI facilities should be emphasized ABSTRACT Despite global efforts at promoting environmental sustainability through development of Green Infrastructure (GI) facilities at urban centres; social menaces, depletion and wrong use of green spaces still persists in many developing nations. Indeed, attitude of residents towards the use of these facilities have not been commensurate to the reasons why the GI facilities were created. This study therefore examines the socio-demographic factors associated with visiting GI sites among residents of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1560 participants in a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics was used to explore data distributions while Chi-square test was used to investigate residents’ socio-demographic characteristics associated with visit to green infrastructure sites in the study area. Participants were mostly men (58.6%) and younger than 50 years old (85.8%). Percentages of residents visiting GI facilities for either spiritual exercises (male=26.4%, female=23.8%) or joblessness (male=48.9%, female=52.1%) is higher than percentages of residents visiting GI facilities for recreation/relaxation (male=24.7%, female=24.1%) activities in Lagos Metropolis. The study suggests among others that, the Lagos State government should develop GI facilities to enhance more opportunity for job generation, while more public orientation on positive attitude toward use of GI facilities should be emphasized.

There is a conscious effort to improve aesthetics, using visual arts to beautify the city of Lagos like other cities of the world. This study examines aesthetic characteristics of selected visual artworks in form of sculptures and murals erected at strategic places in the city of Lagos with a view to understand their aesthetic functions and socio-cultural relevance in the environment. Using qualitative art historian method, the study employed field investigation for getting useful information for the study; while photograph of selected works were critically analysed, using symbolic reality, unity of fascination and aesthetic appraisal. The study justifies reasons for appraising the use of visual arts for the beautification of Lagos city; it identifies and presents values of visual arts, in the society.

This paper is focused on exploring the usage of wood types in the field practice of artists and building professionals. The paper enunciated the different types of woods and specific uses in relation to the strength and toughness. The importance of wood in the three disciplines, was identified and the appropriate preservation techniques used in safeguarding these from deterioration and rottenness were highlighted. Study considered availability of wood structure and aesthetic values derived from them. Apa has 90% use in artistic work, while 30% in architecture and construction work respectively. Iroko has 60% usage in artistic work, architecture and construction work respectively. Omo has 30% usage in artistic works, and 90% in architecture and construction work respectively. The paper analyses wood types, characteristics, defect in wood and wooden objects and simple techniques of combating and preserving them. Generally, availability of wood in the environment enhances its versatility. Observation shows that agents of deterioration in wood can be controlled in order to prolong the lifespan of wood already in use by artists, architects and building engineers.