Home / Current Issue / Paper 1714929
Need for Developing Ibibio Symbols in Clip Art: Example of Plant Grouping
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Visual Communication Design - Clip Art
Abstract
Symbols are very essential in our daily lives. They help communicate important information without using words to people – literate and non-lliterate class alike. In view of the value of symbolism, it is necessary to develop cultural symbols in clip art packages to meet with the demands for effective design, whether local or western. Clip art is a readymade package with keywords and categories of different fields of pictures, illustrations, and images. In modern graphics practice, symbols, images or visuals are stored in clip art environment and are retrieved, therefrom, for use as the need arises. However, in many cases, it is difficult to find suitable clip art images. The most affected are clip art with local or traditional contents such as that of the Ibibio symbols that have not been pre-made and stored for retrieval purposes. This gap therefore, constrains Ibibio designers to use images that are not suitable in most designs with traditional Ibibio themes. It is against this backdrop that this study was undertaken. The objectives of the study were to discuss the need for Ibibio symbols in clip art; discuss compatible and mismatched symbols in Ibibio designs; and illustration of select Ibibio symbols of plant in clip art with their manifest meaning. The study depended on primary and secondary data. The study recommends that more illustrations of Ibibio cultural background clip art should be created; and profusely used by Ibibio designers, and others, in their design content so as to promote Ibibio symbols. The findings reveal that with the subsequent creation of Ibibio symbols in clip art package alongside their manifest meanings, it is possible, with time, to curb the mismatch or misuse of western contents in local design contents.
Keywords
Clip Art, Plant Grouping, Symbols.
References
[1] Effiong, S. G. (2016). The Role of Symbols and Icon in Advertising. GRASPACT Journal of Arts and Technology. Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. 1 (1). IMK Prints Ltd, Uyo. Pp 95 – 101.
[2] Ekong, I. D. (2019). “Developing Clip Art from Selected Ibibio Symbols for Digital Storage and Retrieval”. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo.
[3] Ekong, I. D. (2022). Digital illustrations of selected Ibibio Symbols in clip art for computer applications: a focus on human grouping. Lwati, A Journal of Contemporary Research, 19(2). Beijing, China: Universal Academic Services. Linghua Tong Xing Culture Communication Co. Ltd.
[4] Ekong, I. D. (2024). Need for adaptation of indigenous clip art for sustainable national development. International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management (IJHSSM) Vol 4, Issue 1. www.ijhss.org
[5] Nelson, Thomas (1982). New King James Version. https://en.wikipedia. (Retrieved 13th December, 2025).
[6] Preble, D. and Preble, S. (2004). Art Forms. Patrick Frank (7th Edition). Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
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[8] techterms (2017). The origin of clip art. https://techterms.com/definition/clipart. (Retrieved 27th April, 2017).
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How to cite this paper
@article{1714929,
author = {Itoro Domobongse Ekong, PhD},
title = {Need for Developing Ibibio Symbols in Clip Art: Example of Plant Grouping},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {9},
pages = {729-739},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1714929.pdf},
abstract = {Symbols are very essential in our daily lives. They help communicate important information without using words to people – literate and non-lliterate class alike. In view of the value of symbolism, it is necessary to develop cultural symbols in clip art packages to meet with the demands for effective design, whether local or western. Clip art is a readymade package with keywords and categories of different fields of pictures, illustrations, and images. In modern graphics practice, symbols, images or visuals are stored in clip art environment and are retrieved, therefrom, for use as the need arises. However, in many cases, it is difficult to find suitable clip art images. The most affected are clip art with local or traditional contents such as that of the Ibibio symbols that have not been pre-made and stored for retrieval purposes. This gap therefore, constrains Ibibio designers to use images that are not suitable in most designs with traditional Ibibio themes. It is against this backdrop that this study was undertaken. The objectives of the study were to discuss the need for Ibibio symbols in clip art; discuss compatible and mismatched symbols in Ibibio designs; and illustration of select Ibibio symbols of plant in clip art with their manifest meaning. The study depended on primary and secondary data. The study recommends that more illustrations of Ibibio cultural background clip art should be created; and profusely used by Ibibio designers, and others, in their design content so as to promote Ibibio symbols. The findings reveal that with the subsequent creation of Ibibio symbols in clip art package alongside their manifest meanings, it is possible, with time, to curb the mismatch or misuse of western contents in local design contents.},
keywords = {Clip Art, Plant Grouping, Symbols.},
month = {March},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714929}
}