Zanzabari Textile Designs Bridge Cultural Contexts in Graphics

VCU senior Leah Schmidt studied textiles for two months in Zanzibar, Tanzania this past summer, focusing on native textile designs and traditional methods. A Graphic Design major, Schmidt was a recipient of both the VCU Arts Dean’s International Study Grant and an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Fellowship Grant (also known as a UROP Grant). Schmidt worked alongside her faculty advisor and many local Zanzabari designers and artisans to identify the methods used in screen printing, weaving, and batik dying. She related the designs and patterns of the Zanzabari natives to those she uses in graphic design