Shuruthi's Portfolio
Woodcut Wonders!

Woodcut Wonders!

Category: Workshop Design
Team count: 2
Year: 2021
Roles: Primary Research, Analysis, Ideation, Execution, Workshop Design, Management
Duration: 1 month

 
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Woodblock printing is the oldest type of block printing, with the images carved out of a solid piece of wood; A technique that originated in China, and evolved over the years in various parts of the world. This became a profession for thousands of families who created block-printed products over generations in the most sustainable and intricate manner.
As a part of my passion project, I set out to directly interact with artisans at Ahmedabad Haat, Gujarat.
 
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Problems

The use of chemical colors still continues to cause so much pollution. There is tough competition from the screen print and mass-produced textile industries. The industry’s move from natural to chemical dyes has further exacerbated pollution and water management challenges.
Since the lockdown, production has drastically decreased. Huge unsold inventory has piled up. There has been no sale either through exhibitions or through orders. They have no capital to reinvest. The artisans have neither food for daily consumption nor enough savings to meet medical expenses.
 

 
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Research

As part of the project, I met “chhipas” from Vasna in Ahmedabad who visits the Ahmedabad Haat to get an audience for their work and market their small business as well. I understood the art as well as the current scenario of the profession in India.
History: The generations of the family have been passing the art skill down which now seems unlikely to flourish going forward
Current situation: The ones who have left this job have moved to become painters, fruit vendors and drivers
Market: They get orders in bulk from time to time, but demand has decreased greatly due to price and time. Covid made it worse because these products are required commodities for survival.
Evolution: Black and Maroon were the only natural colours used and to diversify, many newer colours were derived from natural substances like Henna
Technology: Machines today produce the same products much faster, but the sustainability concept is gone. But people buy them since they are cheaper.
Awareness: Most people who come in for purchases are neither aware of the history of the art nor the effort, process and resources it takes.
 
After the interviews, I went on to do some secondary research to understand the evolution and connections across countries. The process and techniques did have their own variations, and there were quite interesting outcomes that unfolded. The different cultures also led to a variety in the current status of the people involved as well as the art.
 

 
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Define

Mapping the factors around

A mapping of the stakeholders associated with these artisans and the networks gave better clarity of the problem and direction towards a solution.
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The Compassionate systems design framework

A study of the different factors in and around the system, the gaps and opportunities
 
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User Personas

Following are personas who would be interested in the project. The objective here was to get a clearer grasp of what our visitors may like or find appealing.
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Ideation

I decided to work on creating an interactive exhibit using non-traditional methods that raises awareness for the art form by creating a memento through the interaction. A base was decided using these 3 factors going further.
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User journey map

To cover the scale and different aspects of the exhibit, a journey map with various steps and scenarios was created which also gave an idea about what to focus on.
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The final exhibit

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Key takeaways

This was one of the projects I thoroughly enjoyed. Not always do we get to go fully hands on while working, and this exhibition helped me expand my horizon. Getting to educate people by letting them experiment using something I built was assuring. It was uniquely satisfying to see students going back with more respect towards Indian handicrafts.
 
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