Diaspora Star | Yinka Ilori : A Bold Visionary in Design

Yinka Ilori, a British-Nigerian artist and designer, has redefined contemporary design through his vibrant, storytelling-infused creations. Born in April 1987 in London to Nigerian parents, Ilori’s work is a striking fusion of his British upbringing and Nigerian heritage, reflecting a bold and playful aesthetic that has earned him global recognition.

Growing up in a multicultural neighborhood in Islington, London, Ilori was deeply influenced by the colors and patterns of his Nigerian roots. His parents’ professions, his father as a store manager and his mother as an events caterer exposed him to various aspects of creativity and craftsmanship. Childhood visits to Nigeria further reinforced his connection to his heritage, shaping the storytelling approach he employs in his designs today.

Ilori pursued art and design at London Metropolitan University, where he focused on furniture and product design. After completing his degree, he worked as an intern with renowned furniture designer Lee Broom. His first solo work was supported by a £3,500 grant from The Prince's Trust, which enabled him to start his professional practice in 2011.

Initially, he upcycled second-hand furniture, drawing inspiration from the color and design aesthetic of West African textiles. During this period, he also worked at a Marks & Spencer store in Moorgate, later securing a collaboration with the company to design products, including a recyclable carrier bag.His notable projects include:

• Happy Street – a railway bridge underpass in Nine Elms transformed with vibrant murals.

• The Colour Palace – a temporary pavilion at Dulwich Picture Gallery celebrating universal themes of color, pattern, and festivity.

• Get Up Stand Up – an exhibition at Somerset House honoring 50 years of Black creativity in the UK.

Ilori’s mixed cultural heritage is a major influence on his work, particularly the Nigerian parables his parents shared with him as a child. In 2013, one such parable, "No matter how long the neck of a giraffe is, it still cannot see the future," inspired a five-piece collection of chairs transformed from broken and cast-off furniture into abstract, brightly colored works of art, embodying a message against judgmental attitudes. As his career progressed, Ilori expanded into large-scale public installations.

In 2020, Ilori launched an eponymous homeware brand, producing and distributing his own designs. That same year, he was honored with the Emerging Design Medal by the London Design Festival. His creative reach extended to the BRIT Awards in 2021, where he collaborated with British stage designer Es Devlin to design the Britannia statuettes.

Continuing his commitment to public spaces, Ilori designed The Flamboyance of Flamingos playground in Parsloes Park, East London, in 2022. The same year, the Design Museum in London staged an exhibition showcasing 100 of his projects, including Canary Wharf’s first-ever basketball court.

His work has also been exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the V&A Dundee, Vitra Design Museum in Basel, Guggenheim Bilbao, and is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Afrofuturist Period Room in New York.

Ilori’s philosophy revolves around using color as a means of fostering conversation and inclusivity. He has stated, "I use color as a way of starting a conversation. It's quite a nice way of opening up a topic and softening what could be a harsh reality," and has emphasized in The Guardian that "My work is very much about inclusivity and how people enjoy design."

In recognition of his impact, Ilori was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 New Year’s Honours. Architect David Adjaye praised his work, stating that it "transcends just function and product and acts as a device for cultural memory."

Most recently, in July 2024, Ilori was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) for his outstanding contributions to art and design. In September 2024, he launched a new clothing collection in collaboration with The North Face, featuring his signature vibrant patterns. The NSE (Never Stop Exploring) collection has been described by the brand as its "most playful" to date, comprising rain jackets, fleeces, sweatshirts, trousers, t-shirts, and a bag.

As Yinka Ilori continues to push creative boundaries, he remains a true Diaspora Star an artist whose work not only beautifies spaces but also connects people to their histories and cultures. His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of design in shaping identity and fostering inclusivity on a global scale.