PHD-School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film & Media Studies

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    Compositional Quality Assessment of Digital Paintings by Male Sex Offenders
    (Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (SJAHSS), 2024-11-25) Oguda, Benta G. Adhiambo; Vikiru, George
    Digital paintings depicting the repercussions of sexual crimes are utilised in this study to investigate the involvement of male sex offenders in Nairobi West Prison. By comparing evaluations according to styles, colour schemes, and themes, the research delves into the viewer's impression of these paintings. Researchers discovered that the more often participants were exposed to the digital paintings, the more positively they were rated. Among the participants, 78.6% had a strong affinity for polychrome schemes, whereas 83.9% preferred surrealist style. Offenders' family-related themes elicited the most intense emotional response from 60% of responders. The possible advantages of active engagement and participation, as well as the ways in which prisoner audiences engage with ready-made art, are enhanced by this research. To improve the viewing experience for inmates, the results stress the significance of interacting with digital paintings.
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    Character design in a Kenyan animation film: propensity and prospects
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-07) Kanyangi, Clinton Kihima
    Animation in Kenya has experienced significant growth, evidenced by the increasing number of productions, government and private sector support, and heightened audience consumption. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to showcase more Kenyan content and stories. Despite these advances, the appreciation of Kenyan animation films has not reached its full potential. Among the key target audiences, Kenyan children comprise a large segment of this industry. Therefore, it is essential to explore how young audiences interact with and engage in the content they consume to enhance the appreciation of animation films. Familiarity plays a crucial role in the appreciation and engagement of animation films, particularly among young audiences. This study examined character design in Kenyan animation, focusing on the animation series Super Sema, to evaluate the characters' familiarity with a Kenyan child audience. The study analyzed the characters in the film and assessed their familiarity to Kenyan children. Various aspects affecting familiarity were tested, and results were discussed, revealing that physical attributes of the characters were less familiar to the audience. To address this, the study proposed an alternative character design approach aimed at enhancing familiarity, which was tested with a child audience. The approach incorporated feedback from children through focus group discussions, Likert scale surveys, and interviews. The results indicated an increase in familiarity following the redesign. Specific elements that improved familiarity were identified and discussed. Recommendations for producers, animators, and suggestions for further research are provided. The study underscores the importance of incorporating familiar elements, particularly characters, in Kenyan animation films to enhance appreciation and engagement among child audiences. Steps to achieve this have been outlined. The research was guided by five theories: audience reception, Semiotics, usability testing, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, and expressionism
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    Sustainability in green design practice within interiors of commercial buildings in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Oduho, Achieng Rose
    Adopting green concepts in the designs of buildings is a key abatement measure to environmental degradation and sick building syndrome. However, green adoption remains insignificant worldwide, and the facts surrounding the dynamics of its adoption locally are vague. Facts documented on green building regionally and locally are scanty and this topical area remains under-researched. Yet, such information is vital to inform decision-making for the increased adoption of green buildings locally. This study therefore aimed at bridging the gap by documenting on the extent of green adoption in Kenya’s buildings. The documented facts are specific to interiors of commercial buildings and especially in Nairobi City County. The specific objectives that guided this investigation were to determine the extent of green concept adopted in buildings across Nairobi City County; to establish factors influencing adoption of green by interior designers and building users; and to identify the amount of green content integrated in the training guides for interior design at undergraduate level. A conceptual framework derived from two theories guided the study: Sustainability-Model-Theory by Brundtland (1987) and the Practice Theory by Bourdieu (1972). Mixed-methods approach was employed to measure green variables and determine the interior environmental quality of 17 commercial buildings across Nairobi City County. The perceptions of 56 interior designers and 22 building users on the subject green building were gathered. The amount of green integrated in the content of 4 sampled design training guides was examined too. Findings from training guides were corroborated by the 4 respective Heads of the Art and Design Curricula from sampled universities. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed insignificant (Mean Rating 2.84) amount of green concept adoption within interiors of commercial buildings in Nairobi. Consequently, 71.4% of interior designers were significantly aware of green concepts with a correct perception of it but minimally adopted it. At the same time, 63.6% of building users were primarily unaware of green building. Lack of legislation and technical expertise on green building were identified as the critical factors hampering adoption in Kenya. In addition, there was insignificant (6.3%) integration of green content in the interior design training guides for undergraduate at local universities. These findings point to a need to increase green adoption within interiors of commercial buildings through retrofitting exercises. The Kenyan government also needs to urgently address the concept of green building in its National Building Regulations. This move should include devising of incentives and awareness campaigns on green to increase adoption among building stakeholders. This study recommends increased integration of green content into local training of interior design at undergraduate level. This is foreseen as a major way of increasing future adoption of green in interior design in Kenya. Based on the findings of this study, a framework was developed and recommended to aid integration of green content into the training of interior designers. The integration will ensure that future interior designers (building experts) are equipped with technical skills on green building