about the design
why it looks like this
Gye Nyame · "except for God": the supremacy of God. One of the most popular Ghanaian symbol
I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
most developer portfolios look the same. I wanted mine to look like it comes from somewhere, taking inspiration from Ghanaian art and craft. none of it is decoration for its own sake; every piece means something. I want you to see the Black, the African and the Ghanaian in me as you view my portfolio
the colours
red, gold and green with a black star: the colours of Ghana's flag, set on warm earth tones
the woven strips
kente is woven in long narrow strips by Asante and Ewe weavers, then sewn together into one cloth. this site is put together the same way: the five strips at the top of this page are the menu, one strip per page.
the zigzags
Just like different patterns in our braids and cornrows
the greeting
akwaaba means welcome in Twi. it's the first thing the site says to you.
the symbols
the marks beside each heading are adinkra: Akan symbols, traditionally stamped onto cloth and buildings, that each carry a saying. I picked ones that fit the section they sit on, and the same symbols are stamped faintly into the dark background at the top of every page.
- Gye Nyame "except for God": the supremacy of God
- Sankofa "go back and get it": learning from the past
- Sankofa (the bird) the same saying, drawn as a bird reaching back for its egg symbolizing looking back at your past
- Dwennimmen ram's horns: strength with humility
- Akofena the sword of war: courage and valour
- Duafe the wooden comb: care and good grooming. The beauty of black hair
- Woforo Dua Pa A "when you climb a good tree": support and encouragement