https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/8 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:18:01 GMT 2026-06-05T23:18:01Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/763 Trajectories in digital art illustration and design: A Zimbabwean perspective Chipambwa, Walter; Manyengavana, Munesu; Sithole, Fungai Technology has impacted various sectors, and the field of art and design has witnessed notable changes due to these developments. In today’s world, digital art illustration has emerged as a prominent and popular form of artistic expression, revolutionizing graphic design, and visual communication, particularly with the rise of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). This study seeks to explore the development of digital art illustration in Zimbabwe through the lens of the technology acceptance framework. The study focused on artists, lecturers, and students familiar with both traditional art and new technologies. Data were collected through two focus group discussions with students from two higher education institutions. In addition, five lecturers and five practicing artists were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, based on their experience in digital art and their background in traditional art. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that digital art has not yet been fully integrated into the art and design curriculum. The study also highlights the critical role of early art and design education in fostering student interest in digital art illustration. Furthermore, digital art illustration can be viewed as an extension of traditional art; therefore, artists should find ways to embrace both forms to their advantage. This integration can be promoted through blended exhibitions, with support from established galleries. For the design field, the study emphasizes the impact of AI and suggests how various stakeholders can incorporate it into their practices to enhance success. The study concludes that investment in technological infrastructure by the government can help promote digital art illustration as a burgeoning sector, creating new job opportunities for the younger, technology-savvy generation. Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/763 2024-12-24T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/747 The UX-UI continuum: exploring the interplay between user experience and user interface in elearning platforms Masveta, Daglous; Manyangara, Masimba Elvis The objectives of the study were to determine the interplay that exists between UX and UI design influence user engagement and learning outcomes in e-learning platforms and to establish the implications of defining UI as a distinct discipline versus a subset of UX on the design processes and collaborative practices within digital product teams. The study employed a qualitative research design with an interpretive philosophy to understand the subjective and socially constructed meanings expressed about the phenomenon under investigation. The study collected data using openended questionnaires from designers. The gathered data sheds light that UI is simply a by-product of good UX, which firmly places it under the UX umbrella. UX strategy, user research, information architecture, usability testing, and visual problem-solving for the user are all fundamentally focused on the user and UX cannot be separated from all the stages of the design process. The findings also revealed that designers should stop saying UI/UX since they are two different areas; hence, this shows that they don’t understand the discipline. In response to this study’s limitations, recommendations for future research were also addressed. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/747 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/733 Digital fashion and the metaverse: perspectives from the emerging fashion designers in Zimbabwe Chipambwa, Walter; Hahlani, Onismo S This study aimed to investigate the experiences of emerging fashion designers in developing digital fashion content and their presence on the virtual spaces referred to as the metaverse. Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/733 2025-04-17T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/714 Community Empowerment Through Upcycling Pre-Consumer Waste Material Chipambwa, Walter; Mutungwe, Edlight; Chuma, Chipo Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/714 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z