Chisom Uchendu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design from the University of Nigeria (2015), and is currently enrolled in a Master of Fine Arts degree programme in Communication Art and Design at the same university. She is a member of the faculty in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, where she has taught courses in Art History and Visual Communication Design since 2018. With particular interest in Brand Identity Design, Uchendu has worked as a freelance graphic designer since 2016, producing client work as well as personal projects
Uchendu’s research engages the use of parody advertising as a tool for social commentary, with a focus on Nigeria’s current most prevalent societal issues, among which are rampant kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, and corruption, all of which have become major hallmarks of
the current Buhari-led government. Depicting these issues (or ‘vices’, as she labels them in her study) as fictional commercial commodities in print advertisements, she bases her design research on her theory that various vices have metaphorically become Nigeria’s new staple products.
Aside from her brand identity and academic research interests, Uchendu’s career also explores professional textile design, especially in the area of digital pattern design. Combining her professional background in graphics with her flare for fabric design, she is working to create a flourishing textile and fashion design brand that will give new relevance to the wilting textile industry in Nigeria. To learn more about Uchendu’s scholarship and view some of her design portfolio, please visit chisomuchendu.com.