Craft Revival: The Orissa Bamboo Project 🌿
2017 •
Social and Systems Design • Indigenous Design Practices • HCD
DESIGN STATEMENT
The project was a part of Industree Foundation under the mission Creative Million that aims at empowering a million artisans of India into independent entrepreneurship by connecting their skill set and knowledge to the urban sector. The intent was to understand the ecosystem and skillset of Bamboo artisans based in Orissa, and use their craftskill to empower their cluster economically as well as socially.
DESIGN INTERVENTION
To use the skill set that the bamboo weavers of Orissa, to cater to the urban markets with the sole purpose of increasing their faith in the practice through economic returns.
For this purpose, I recognized their practiced crafts, and understanding the relevance of this craft, I designed products that maintained the craft of the artisan while meeting the urban demands. Seeing their attachment to the craft, I decided to start with making minimal yet impactful changes to their original weave, while incorporating it with contemporary language.
Preserving craft and culture by creating a consumer channel for social and economical upliftment.
Click to view the project book
Participatory Research :
A 10-day trip to the craft clusters of Orissa residing deep in the villages introduced me to their lives of economic, technological and social disparities.
Product: Furniture Design
To study the weave structure, understand the creation process of a single bamboo product, and design contemporary products that would connect to the urban consumer.
Minimalist Furniture Design
Business Model Canvas + Systems Design
Click to view the project book