ArKa: Modular Storage System Booklet

Innovation and Development

ArKa: Modular Storage System Craft Innovation Studio Innovation Internship

by DICRC in partnership with CraftCanvas

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About Craft Innovation Studio Craft Innovation Studio (CIS) is a platform developed by Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) to indulge in the process of co-creation by bringing experts from the field of Craft, Design, Architecture, Entrepreneurship, Industry, Marketing and Government in order to promote the field of Craft. The intention is to develop ‘Innovation in Craft’ and ‘Innovation through Craft’. CIS consists of two programs- Innovation Internships and Innovation Fellowships. The core of the CIS is the Collaborative Co-creation practice and henceforth DICRC collaborates with various organisations, institutions and industry to conduct these programs.

About Innovation Internship Innovation Internship program is initiated by Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) to bring craftspeople and design students together to work on various crafts related to the Interior Architecture. Each internship works on a collaborative model and DICRC collaborates with other organisations to develop a holistic model for the internship. The main intention is to integrate tactile skills and inherited knowledge of craftspeople along with the design thinking of the designer. The internship is open to all the undergraduate and post graduate level students within and outside India related to the field of Design, Architecture and Art. The student/s work with the craftspeople on the specific craft-design project for the period of 4 weeks to 16 weeks. Each project in internship is developed collaboratively through discussions between the researchers at DICRC, representatives from partnering organisations, craftspersons and the student. The aim of the project is to bring new ideas and innovations in the field of craft with the support of design.

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ArKa: Modular Storage System Collaborative Innovation Internship Program 2013 1st July - 30th July 2013

Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India 3

List of Innovation Internships under Craft Innovation Studio: Poorna Sharma

Modular Stone-craft partition system

Helen Thebault

City Museum Space Design

Jimena Biro

Arka: Modular Storage System

For more information visit www.dicrc.in Acknowledgements We thank all the people and partners involved in the Craft Innovation Studio for their support. This internship program would not have been possible without the co-ordination and enthusiasm of the Wood Turning Lacquer craft artisansAnilbhai Suthar and his team and finally, the intern, Jimena Biro. We extend our deepest gratitude towards them.

We would also like to thank Rudrapal Singh for helping in developing the 3D renderings.

Assistant Professor Jay Thakkar, Head of Research, DICRC and Nisha Vikram, Founder & Promoter of CraftCanvas were an integral part of Project ArKa. Yatin Mistry (in-house craftsperson) of DICRC was the material manager.

Funded by:

Š 2013 Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) CEPT University , Ahmedabad, India.

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Government of Gujarat

iNDEXT-c Government of Gujarat

Table of Contents 1. About the internship

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Internship model- ‘Project Arka

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Overview- ‘Project Arka’

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Collaborators

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Team

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2. About Project Arka

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Project Brief

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Craft : Wood Turning Lacquer Craft

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3. Collaborative Craft Design Process

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Interaction & Demonstration Understanding the craftWood Turning Lacquer Craft

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Ideation & Exploration Brainstorming Module explorations & learnings Joinery explorations & learnings Refined explorations & learnings

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Creation & Execution Final Prototype Final Prototype Assembly Module development 4. Output Craft Design Prototype 5. Dissemination Garvi Gurjari Pavilion

25 26 29 31 33 69 71

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About the Internship

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Innovation Internship Model ArKa: Modular Storage System Organisations

Individuals

Promoter Design Innovation and Craft Resource Center (DICRC), CEPT University

Designer Jimena Biro

Collaborators

Facilitator

Craftsperson

CraftCanvas

Anilbhai Suthar (Wood turning Lacquer craftsperson)

INNOVATION INTERNSHIP

Methodology 01

FRAMEWORK 02

CRAFT DESIGN PROCESS 03

FINAL OUTPUT 04

DISSEMINATION 05

MARKET LINKAGES 06

PRODUCTION

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(Industrial design student)

Overview The name ArKa has been derived by the team through the combination of two words- Artesania (Spanish word for crafts) and Kala (Indian word for crafts). Project ArKa is a modular multifunctional storage system developed with Wood Turning Lacquer Craft practiced in Dholka, Gujarat. It was a collaboration through the craft design process between an industrial designer from Mexico, Jimena Biro and a craftsperson, Anil Suthar from Dholka, Gujarat.

This project was part of the Innovation Internship program of DICRC in partnership with CraftCanvas, Ahmedabad. It was a four-week project from 1st to 30th July 2013 wherein the craft design process went through several stages of development like hands-on work, material exploration, design brief development and market surveys. The aim of this project was to bring together design innovation and traditional craft techniques. The final product represents a successful amalgamation of design, craft and technology.

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Collaborators

CraftCanvas (facilitator) CraftCanvas is a link between artisan communities and the urban customer, translating ages old craft forms into something contemporary. They believe that there is a place for India’s traditional crafts even in the most modern of spaces. To make this possible, they offer a range of handicraft products from across India, hand-painted wall mural services, custom handcrafted furniture, soft furnishings, tribal/folk paintings & accessories and craft workshops for children and adults.

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Team Jimena Biro Guerresi (Industrial design student) Jimena is an Industrial design student at Centro de DiseĂąo Y television, Mexico. She is passionate about working hands-on with materials and has a deep interest in design innovation through crafts. She had attended a 21 day design/craft workshop in Oaxaca, MĂŠxico in 2012 and is constantly seeking opportunities to combine the fields of craft and design. She is passionate about travelling, learning, cooking and dancing.

Anilbhai Suthar (Wood Turning Lacquer Craftsperson) Anilbhai is a master craftsman who works with wood turning lacquer craft and lives in Dholka. He was taught the craft of wood turning and lacquer by his father and has been practising it for over 22 years.

The products made by him are majorly traditional cradles which are still used in households across Gujarat.

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About Project Arka

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Project Brief Aim: To design and develop a modular system/product/element based on wood turning lacquer craft of Dholka.

Parameters: 1. Technical and Functional parameters - Must be a modular system with standardized components - Must be a do-it yourself system which allows the user to assemble the product in a simple manner.

- Must be a multi-purpose system will be used for storage/ display or as a space dividing element.

- Should be easy to package and transport.

2. Material and manufacturing parameters - Wood turning lacquer craft must be utilized in the production of the product.

- Materials other than wood can be added to the final product depending on the need.

3. Communication and customization parameters - Language will developed by use of colours.

- Aesthetic qualities will be expressed through colours and forms.

- The design/ output should allow choices to the user in terms of different arrangements and colour variations.

4. Economic Parameters - The cost of the product will depend on the production of components, details, finishing, packaging and the module assembly cost.

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Craft: Wood Turning Lacquer Craft Wood Turning is a form of wood-working that is used to create objects on a lathe machine which are then finished with the application of lacquer in several colours. This craft is done in different parts of India by several communities. In each part, there is a different story behind its evolution, the needs out of which it was shaped, the processes followed by the craft people, the products made and their applications. Dholka is a town located 40 kms southwest from Ahmedabad, Gujarat where wood turning and lacquer work has been practiced for the last 50 years. In Dholka, this craft has evolved out of ritualistic connotations and craftspeople are majorly involved in making ghodiyo as a principal product along with some seasonal products like Dandiya sticks and small drums. A ghodiyo or ghodiyu is a traditional crib frame or cradle for baby and used during the time of baby birth and other ceremonies associated with it. Most of the work for this craft is done with the help of hand-machine coordination and a variety of hand tools are used to cut and shape the wood (chisels, gouges, hammers, awl and snappers). Wood turning lacquer craft depends primarily on the natural materials like - the wood and the tree sap (used for making the lac). Although synthetic materials like pigments and paints are also used. The wood used for turning is semi-hard wood called Babool which is abundant in the region.

1. Anilbhai working on the lathe machine 2. Craftsperson applying lacquer coating on the turning wood 3. Craftsperson painting the turning wood using a paint brush 4. Wood turning lacquer craft product- detail 5. Wood turning lacquer craft product 11

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Collaborative Craft Design Process

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Interaction & Demonstration Understanding the Craft: Wood Turning Lacquer Craft The craft processes play a critical role in development and understanding of a craft; hence the demonstration of techniques is taken as the first step in understanding the tactile aspects of craft, in any innovation internship program. The interaction during the demonstration builds a deep bond between the artisans and the designer. The craftspeople often take pride in sharing their inherited and valuable skills.

A demonstration of the craft by Anilbhai Suthar helped Jimena learn about the tools, techniques, materials, machines and related details of the craft right from the beginning. This kick-started the process of brainstorming taking the craft’s possibilities and constraints into consideration. The lacquer colours and the natural polished look of the craft products was one of the main characteristics of the Wood turning lacquer wood craft. Hence, a clear understanding of the colour possibilities was brought about during the initial demonstration sessions.

Understanding of the craft was deepened through interactive sessions between Jimena and other craftspeople too. These interactions helped bring the finer details and nuances of the craft to the forefront.

1. First-hand demonstration of the Wood Turning Lacquer wood craft 2. Craftsperson demonstration the craft process 3. Craftsperson demonstrating how to fix the wood piece on to the lathe machine 4. Interaction between Yatinbhai and craftsperson 5. Jimena with Anilbhai Suthar 15

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Ideation & Exploration Brainstorming After having understood the craft from Anilbhai Suthar, the expert craftsperson himself, the process of innovation was initiated. Jimena began explorations in the form of sketches keeping in mind the technique, material, form etc in mind.

Brainstorming is a process that one undertakes to explore any and all kinds of ideas, which will then go through the process of validation and negation. At this stage everything from the form of products, to the joineries, to modules etc was explored and sketched out. This helped Jimena in understanding the craft deeper as the tendency was to try and solve possible problems that arose with each exploration.

Sketching was not the only tool that was used at this stage, but small paper mock ups and models also helped understand the details that might have been missed during the initial sketches.

These paper mock-ups were explored in order to understand the working of modules and the various possibilities of it.

Brainstorming about joinery helped explore the types of possible connections that could be taken forward and detailed out.

Towards the end of the brainstorming stage, it was understood that in order to design a modular system, one needs to have a stable single module first, which can be replicated using various methods, that would be explored later. Also, while designing the single module, its dimensions were of critical importance. Hence, the next step that was taken was to take forward a few validated sketches and develop prototypes, for effective testing.

1, 3. Jimena’s exploration sketches 2, 4. Paper mock up explorations 5. Jimena discussing brainstormed ideas with Anilbhai at DICRC 17

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Ideation & Exploration Module explorations & learnings After brainstorming on possible ideas for the module with the project team and craftspeople, the first prototype was made.

This prototype was executed using wood turning lacquer craft of Dholka with the help of the craftspeople The objective of developing this prototype was to arrive at a stable module and its necessary components.

Two surfaces of 60cm x 30cm and four wood turned legs of 50cm x 4.5cm diameter were made and assembled with the help of grooves, using babool wood at Dholka by Jimena with the help of Anilbhai. This prototype was put through various tests in order to test its stability.

After the prototype was made and tested, it was observed that it was not stable enough. This prototype was made with a system of grooves used as a unit between the legs and the surface. But the entire system was not strong enough to hold the structure without tottering. The thought behind this prototype was simple and novel, but a better system needed to be explored and arrived at.

1. Cutting the wood to be used in the required dimension 2. Turning the wood on the lathe to give it the desired form 3. The turned wood samples 4. Assembling the surface and the legs using grooves 5. Testing the weight bearing strength of the prototype 6. The first rectangular surfaced prototype 19

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Ideation & Exploration Joinery exploration Joineries are an essential part of the structure and must enable the user to construct a structurally stable object in a simplified manner. Two types of joineries were explored initially- Using a groove and Using wood/metal pins. After the failure of the groove joinery in the first prototype, new set of joineries using wood of different cross sections were explored. The objective of this exercise was to achieve a joinery that would make the structure stable and would be simple enough to develop a do-ityourself system.

Each wood turned leg was designed in a way that it composed of 4 parts- Base, Shaft, Capital and Cap. Various forms were explored while playing with the ratio and proportions of the turned wood.

The compounded dimensions of the shaft and grooves were decided keeping the storage height as one of the parameters.

It was observed that in order the make the leg stable and proportionate, yet not appearing heavy, there was a need for modulation in the middle of the leg. These explorations were made keeping in mind the process of lacquering.

1. Joinery exploration ideation sketch 2, 3. Various Cap form explorations 4. A sample leg with a new joinery 5. Various base form explorations 6. Various Shaft form explorations 21

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2

cap surface 2 capital

metal pin

shaft

surface 1

base

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4

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Ideation & Exploration Refined exploration Having explored module and joinery possibilities and putting together the learnings from each exploration, a refined prototype was made. This prototype not only combined the understanding of the previous stages, but also encouraged experimentation with a completely different kind of joinery.

Wood and metal pins were explored as joineries for fixing the components of the legs along with the surface. The surface was made out of MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard).

Four different pieces were assembled to create one leg as shown in the adjoining diagram. Several form explorations were carried out for developing a proportionate and aesthetically pleasing system.

In terms of assembly, it was a simple tenon and mortoise joint with allen key to insert the metal pin. The tenon of the shaft was inserted in the base and capital along with the surface to stabilize the module. In the entire process, the assembly was refined keeping in mind the DIY (do it yourself ) concept.

In terms of the form, the wood turned legs were observed to be visually heavier than the horizontal surface and required further refinement. Also, Anilbhai, the craftsperson was a novice to the use of metal pins and hence, needed to be guided by Jimena in that aspect.

1. Drilling into the wooden form 2. Components of the Wood turned leg 3. Refining the form on the lathe machine 4. Refined prototype 23

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Creation & Execution Final Prototype The third and final prototype was developed that had a triangular surface, rather than a rectangular one, to achieve more compositional possibilities. The final form of the turned wood legs was generated and the colour palette was developed on the basis of the colours popularly used by the Dholka craftspeople.

As this had to be a DIY system, a user manual was produced which would guide the user in assembling the system with ease.

This system allowed customisation not only by size and number of modules but also by colours hence a booklet with various colour options was developed for allowing users to choose the right combination.

This prototype was observed to be perfectly stable and easy to build using an Allen key for the joinery. The form of the final prototype was finalised and composed of 6 modules according to the colour palettes. Hence, starting from rough sketches and paper mock ups to creating 1:1 scale prototypes, the process was completed when it finally culminated into the making of the final prototype.

Colour palette

1. Anilbhai making of the final prototype turned wood leg 2. Using Metal pin insertions as a means of joinery 3. Tightening the metal pin using an allen key 4. The refined triangular surfaced prototype 5. The fixed metal pin 25

Final Prototype Assembly

1. Wood Cutting

2. Wood Turning

5. Lac polishing

6. Drilling

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3. Sanding

4. Lacquer

7. Metal Pin Insertion

8. Assembly 27

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Creation & Execution Final Prototype and Assembly Module Development After the final prototype, minor refinements and design decisions were taken. The shape of the horizontal surface was determined and the 2 main functions were identified that of storage and space divider (as partition or screen). 3D modelling software was used in order to explore the various permutations and combinations of different modules. In order for the module to grow horizontally, a connector with a form of a butterfly was designed with similar details and connections. The colour combinations were explore too.

Certain decisions like chamfering the edges of the triangular surface were taken in order to generate interesting module combinations. The final system was designed in a way that the modules could grow horizontally as well as vertically. The user was given the choice to combine colours within the system.

Depending on the quantity of modules added to each other, different functions could be achieved like storage or division of space or both. Also, it was observed that the connector allowed the user to assemble ‘L’ shaped module arrangements.

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Output

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Single module

Three modules 32

Two modules

Craft Design Prototype Final Single and Multiple modules.

The modules were executed with the help of the Dholka craftspeople, based on the 3D renderings and the technical drawings by the designer. The result was a new system developed that was contemporary as well as rooted in traditional techniques.

Multiple modules 33

6 cm 2.5 cm

4 cm

2.5 cm

2.5 cm

1 cm 4 cm 3.5 cm

0.5 cm 1 cm 3 cm

4 cm

0.25 cm

4 cm

5.5 cm

2.5 cm 0.5 cm

1 cm 3.5 cm

1 cm 1 cm 1.5 cm

2.5 cm

1 cm 1 cm 1 cm

6 cm 2.5 cm

2.5 cm

5.5 cm

1 cm 3 cm

0.25 cm 3 cm

1 cm 1 cm 0.5 cm

2 cm 0.5 cm

4 cm

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5 cm

10 cm

Craft Design Prototype Final Wood turning shapes and Dimensions 1.2 cm 2.5 cm

1.2 cm

1 cm

2.5 cm

2.5 cm

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Craft Design Prototype - Single Module and their Parts

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(i) Component Number of parts Number needed for assembly (i) surface

2 nos

(ii) cap

3 nos

(iii) capital

3 nos

(iv) base

3 nos

(v) shaft

3 nos

(vi) allen key

1 no

(vii) bolt 1

3 nos

(viii) bolt 2

6 nos

(ii)

(iii)

(vi)

(iv)

(v)

(vii)

(viii) 37

Assembly for a Single Module 1 (a) (v)

(i)

(iv) (b)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight

line and insert the allen key screw

2

(iii)

(a)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

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Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

3 (a)

(ii)

(b)

(viii)

4

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight

line and insert the allen key screw

Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 for the other two legs

(a)

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Craft Design Prototype - Two Modules and their Parts

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Component Number of parts Number needed for assembly (i) surface

3 nos

(ii) cap

3 nos

(iii) capital

6 nos

(iv) base

3 nos

(v) shaft

6 nos

(vi) allen key

1 no

(vii) bolt 1

6 nos

(viii) bolt 2

9 nos

(i)

(ii)

(vi)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vii)

(viii) 41

Assembly for Two Modules 1 (a) (i)

(v)

(iv) (b)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

2 (a)

(iii)

(b)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

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3

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other two legs

(a)

4 (a)

(v)

(i)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw 43

Assembly for Two Modules 5 (iii)

(a)

(b)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

6 (a)

(ii)

(i)

(b)

(viii)

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(vi)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

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Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the other two legs

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Craft Design Prototype - Three Modules and their Parts

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Component Number of parts Number needed for assembly (i) surface

5 nos

(ii) cap

6 nos

(iii) capital

9 nos

(iv) base

6 nos

(v) shaft

9 nos

(vi) allen key

1 no

(vii) bolt 1

9 nos

(viii) bolt 2

15 nos

(i)

(ii)

(vi)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vii)

(viii) 47

Assembly for Three Modules 1 (a) (i)

(v)

(iv) (b)

(viii)

(vi)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

2 (a)

(iii)

(b)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

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3

(ii)

(i)

(a)

(viii)

(vi) Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

4

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other two legs

(a)

(b)

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Assembly for Three Modules 5 (a) (v) (v)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

6 (a)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

(iii) (iii)

(b)

(viii) (vi) 50

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

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(ii)

(ii)

(a)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

8 (a)

(ii) (i)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw 51

Assembly for Three Modules 9 (a) (ii) (ii)

(b)

(viii) (vi)

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Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

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Multiple Modules

Assembly of the system- Options and functions The components can be assembled in multiple ways as shown and can have two functions; as a storage element or screen.

90 cm

1.90 m

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1.30 m

1.40 m

1.30 m

1.90 m

1.30 m

2.50 m

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Attachment of Connectors

(i)

(ii) (ii)

1 (a)

(i)

(i)

(ii)

(b)

(viii) (vi) 56

Match the red stamps in straight line and insert the allen key screw

95 cm

2.80 m

Top view

2m

90 cm 2. 50m

Top view

2m

1.30 m

2. 50m

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Colour Palette Choice- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 The user gets to choose one colour for the surfaces and one colour for the module

Unit 1

50 cm

50 cm

Unit 3

Unit 2

90 cm 90 cm

50 cm

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1.40 m

Colour Palette Choice for surfaces

Black

Light Grey

White

Light Brown

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Colour Palette Choice for modules

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Colour Palette Choice for a single module

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Colour Palette Choice for two modules

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Colour Palette Choice for three modules

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Colour Palette Choice for multiple modules

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Colour Palette Choice for multiple modules

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Colour Palette Choice for different surfaces

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Dissemination

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Dissemination Garvi Gurjari Pavilion It is important to make society aware about the value of traditional craft and henceforth dissemination through various mediums like exhibitions, panels, online and print media are essential.

In order to spread awareness about this project at a large scale, the final Arka prototypes were kept on display during the Garvi Gurjari National Craft Fair & Summit, along with the outcomes of DICRC’s other workshops and programs. The Craft fair was spread over 7 days and was estimated to have received a footfall of over a 1,00,000 visitors. The final Arka prototypes were on display, supported by information regarding the design process followed, the participants, collaborators etc.

Post the fellowship too, Arka underwent some changes in terms of design. The beautiful Kutch lacquer work that is traditionally used for spoons and other cutlery, was fused with Jimena’s design. Kutch artisans used the designed structure and created their own design with it. The prototypes show how the output of the fellowship is not just a local design for a limited number of artisans, but has a wider reach as well. These experiments were on display at the pavilion too.

Date : 21st to 27th February, 2014 Time : 10.00 am onwards Venue : Gujarat University Convention & Exhibition Center, GMDC ground, Ahmedabad

1. View of the exhibition 2. Prototype made by the Kutch artisans on display 3. Arka craft-design prototypes and the kutch prototypes on display together 4. Nisha of Craftcanvas with the final prototypes 5. Jimena with the final prototypes 71

For more information visit www.dicrc.in

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Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad 74 Contact :+079-26302470 Ext- 380, 381 , email: dicrc@cept.ac.in, www.dicrc.in