about
Design Works!studios established in 1985, are the studios of interdisciplinary cultural artisan, designer, consultant, curator and project director Nailah Iya'Béji Akinyémi-Sankofa.
Born and raised in Chicago, Nailah is a prolific visual artist, fashion and furniture designer,
interior stylist, published writer/poet, cultural lecturer, dancer, consultant, choreographer
and traditional Afrikan ritual specialist and healer.
As a cultural artisan Nailah’s primary approach to her artwork, design, studies and activism is drawn from traditional West Afrikan cultural and historical aesthetics and expressions of identity.
Nailah enjoys pushing boundaries with materials and processes to push against what is expected, suppressed, ignored and, ultimately coopted from Black people, organic cultures and traditions both historically and currently.
Nailah majored in interior design and studio art at Columbia College in Chicago. Continuing her academic pursuits at Central Texas College and then the University of Texas at Austin's design and studio art programs. Since founding her first design business Design Works!studios in 1985, she has also founded, co-founded and directed several Afrikan Diaspora (Black) arts, performance, fashion, apparel production, cultural groups, organizations, co-ops, networks and education programs. She's also served on numerous panels, guest lectured and led design team projects.
Nailah is the niece of renowned Harlem Renaissance artist Robert Savon Pious.
Nailah, and family, relocated to Austin in 1989 establishing herself in Austin’s arts communities as one of the cities' ardent arts and cultural activists.
She currently lives and works between Austin, Chicago and New York.
selected works
