System Intervention - Using Design to Solve Problems of a Pottery Cluster
UX, System Design, Craft
2022
Problem
Building community to strengthen and enhance the value of Sarkhej, creating a common cause for them to come together. This will make it easier to market them under a common banner and in the process create more awareness about the cluster.
The framework created if viable should be applicable to other such clusters all over the country creating a chain reaction.
Outcome
A versatile website framework designed for artisans, easily adaptable for widespread adoption by the Government of India. It serves as a comprehensive platform offering simplified explanations of various rights and labor laws through easily understandable language, presented in the form of compact booklets.
Role
In my final year as a student designer, I focused my project on the pottery cluster of Sarkhej, immersing myself in grassroots engagement to tackle prevalent issues. My role encompassed thorough visits to the cluster, conducting interviews, surveys, and market studies to gain deep insights into the community's needs and challenges.
Artisan Hub
To create a hub that serves as a comprehensive resource center for pottery artisans, providing up-to-date information on government schemes, subsidies, and other valuable resources. Through this platform, artisans can easily access details about available initiatives, understand eligibility criteria, and stay informed about changes in policies and programs. Additionally, the hub offers a streamlined process for artisans to register for essential documents like the artisan card, ensuring convenient access to exclusive benefits and support services. With a focus on simplifying navigation and providing relevant information, the Pottery Artisan Hub aims to empower artisans and facilitate their growth within the industry.
Font
Poppins would be an ideal font for an app catering to artisans and craftsmen in India due to its simplicity, readability, and humble appearance. Its clean and modern aesthetic would complement the app's functionality while maintaining a down-to-earth feel.
Color
The earthy colors chosen for the app, such as red for fire and glazes, brown and ochre for the earth, blue for water, and greys for ash, align perfectly with the artisanal theme. These colors reflect the natural elements and the pottery-making process, adding authenticity and warmth to the app's design.
Screens
Research
Sarkhej
Specifically referring to a pottery cluster located there about 10 Km away from Paldi campus. It is situated in New Fatehwadi, one can locate it easily as it is next to a giant green pond.
People of the cluster mainly make object like diyas, matkas, pots, bird feeders, piggy banks etc mostly utility objects. However during the dayswe visited the cluster they seemed to mostly make diyas as it was Diwali season and they were in high demand, as such most of what the cluster makes is based on what the market demandsand the production and types of objects made throughout the year varies based on this.
They do not seem to have any product, motif or characteristic to their objects unique to themself as such lack a proper identity.
The cluster spans about a 2km square area and contains about 400 families mostly of the potter community. The pottery is mostly done by people of the caste Prajapatibut Harijans also practice the craft.
Basic Layout of A House
Every house in the cluster almost always follows the same basic layout.
Of the plot of landthey have the house will occupy the backend farthest from the road.
Then they’ll have a workspace where dye press and throwing work is done.
Sometimes they’ll have a smaller shed to house materials and tools.
Open space in front to dry the objects.
And a kiln or 2 out in the front next to the road. It is situated next to the road to accommodate for easier loading and unloading. And the kiln is kept as far away from the house to prevent smoke entering the house while firing.
Cluster Mapping
Mapping of the path traveled, the area we coveredand houses visited in the Sarkhej pottery cluster, it shows the type of products made in each house, kiln, area occupied, and density of the cluster, The map was made using a combination of physical mapping the cluster and marking the boundaries and Google map to get an overall idea of the entire area.
Total houses visited –19 out of 400
3 houses only make diyas.
9 houses make diyasas well as other products.
6 houses make only other products. Which in matkas, bird feeders, cups, piggy banks etc.
Number of kilns recorded -24
Kiln Structure
Build the kilns -25k
Have toreplace china clay rods every 2 years
Rods bought from morbi
Made by themselves
Use the same clay to build the kiln as used for throwing
built with 2 to three days
Firing
Though actually much more complex the below illustration shows a basic idea of the entire making process from clay acquisition to packing.
Products
The products made in Sarkhej vary and depend greatly upon what the market demands and what is popular at that point in time. They do not have any motif or traditional forms they practice as such one can'treally pin them to any specific product or identity.
At the time of this system project 2022, the main product made their seems to be diyas as they make up approximately 40% of the production and unlike various other objects that they make that are seasonal diyas are made throughout the year in preparation for the Diwali rush.
Market
Their main markets include Delhi, Mumbai, Nasik, Surat, Baroda, Ahmedabad.
They don’t seem to have a proper understanding of how or where their products are sold and by which companies, their involvement ends with the handing over the products the middleman who from there supplies it to various vendors and companies.
The middleman does all the communication with vendors and companies and the craftsmen are left completely in the dark about the sale of the product.
In the case of the diyas they make they sell it to the middleman for 1 rupee Of which 25 percent is the profit.
The diyas end up being sold in the market for 5 rupees and upwards.
The workers who make the diyas are paid about 120 for every 1000 they make.
Govt Schemes
Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program –Gramodyog Vikas Yojana
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) issued the Operational Guidelines of Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program (Pottery’ activities) vide a notification dated 09/16/2020.This is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for the empowerment of the potter’s community in the remotest of locations in the country. Under these pilot programs, beneficiaries will be provided skill training and modern pottery machines
Maati Kala Skill Training Programmes (MKSTP) -Uttar Pradesh
The centres would provide quality training for production and marketing of finished goods to potters, artisans and craftsmen under one roof.The efforts are aimed at making the designer clay products compete with plastic products.
SPIN (Strengthening the Potential of India)
SPIN is a specially designed program to make potters self-sustainable. Under the scheme, KVIC will facilitate potters to get easy loans from banks that will help the potters to diversify their activities and enhance their income. This will reduce their dependence on government subsidy and thus make our potters self-reliant
BIMA YOJANA FOR HANDICRAFT ARTISANS
The scheme is aimed towards financially securing the artisans in their old age. The scheme has been designed to give a boost to the handicraft sector in India.
Ministry of MSME re-activates the micro-industrialization process in Rural India
These new initiatives of the Ministry with beneficiary orientedSelf-Employment schemes, are aimed at rejuvenating the grass root economy contributing to AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
Skilled in throwing techniques
Proficient in batch production
Possess firing knowledge
Resourcefulness in working with limited tools
Capable of creating contemporary products with cultural influences
Ability to spend time and effort on surface ornamentation
Weaknesses:
Limited variety in products
Dependence on traditional designs dictated by the market or middlemen
Lack of connection with the market or end-users
Vulnerability to exploitation by middlemen
Potential loss of product uniqueness
Pollution from production processes
Opportunities:
Expansion into retail shops to increase market reach
Diversification into contemporary product lines with cultural influences
Collaboration with designers for product innovation
Development of direct consumer relationships to bypass middlemen
Training programs to enhance skills and knowledge
Threats:
Competition from factories or machines that could take over traditional diya making, which accounts for a significant portion of the product range
Loss of market share due to limited variety and general products
Decline in demand for traditional pottery due to changing consumer preferences
Environmental regulations impacting production processes
Limited resources and space for production expansion
Problems Faced By The Cluster
Pollution from firing processes
Limited awareness about sustainable practices
Low income levels leading to earnings below minimum wage
Exploitation by middlemen
Long working hours and intense labor conditions
Inadequate workspace and lack of access to modern tools
Lack of awareness about government schemes for artisans
Limited knowledge about their own rights as workers
Design Brief
Building community to strengthen and enhance the value of Sarkhej, creating a common cause for them to come together. This will make it easier to market them under a common banner and in the process create more awareness about the cluster.
The framework created if viable should be applicable to other such clusters all over the country creating a chain reaction.
Intended Effects
Greater appreciation for the people who make the products you use in your everyday life.
Increasing the overall quality of life of the people of Sarkhej, by bringing notice to not only the good but the problems they face so that they may receive the required help.
Betterment of their connection with the consumer. A more direct view of the market would allow them to make better assessments of what products they should make and give them a bit of independence from the middleman.
Increase government involvement.
Betterment of the quality of life of the workers there, they earn around 300 rupees a day whereas the minimum wage for semi-skilled labor is 370.
Creating a system viable enough that other such clusters may adopt it.
Archival of the story and legacy of Sarkhej
Localization
The building or supporting location-based institutions and cultures. Shortening the distance between the producer and the consumer.
Why Localization?
During my time researching this project, I came across the phenomena of deliberate localization, the benefits of which seemed very similar to what Iwastryingtosolvethrough my DP the next few slides go through localization and some case studies of successful localization attempts in India
Success Stories
Deccan Development Society, Sambhavna Clinic, Bhoomi College, Chitrika Foundation, and Asha Kiran are shining examples of successful localization efforts. They have each demonstrated the power of grassroots initiatives tailored to their communities, fostering sustainable development and empowerment. Through their localized approaches, they have effectively addressed specific needs, engaged community participation, and preserved cultural heritage. These organizations serve as beacons of how localized solutions can create meaningful impact and foster resilient, self-reliant communities.
Community Design
Community design is the practice of intentionally structuring how community members come together in order to meet a defined goal.
Why Community Design?
During my time researching this project, I came across the phenomena of deliberate localization, the benefits of which seemed very similar to what I was trying to solve through my DP the next few slides go through localization and some case studies of successful localization attempts in India
Areas of Intervention
Facilitating consumer involvement and appreciation:
Creating a platform for consumers to engage directly with artisans and experience the craft-making process.
Fostering appreciation for craftsmanship by offering insights into the artisans' techniques and traditions.
Establishing a medium for consumers to show gratitude and support to the artisans.
Empowering women through active participation:
Introducing tools designed to enhance women's involvement in the craft-making process.
Providing a means for women to express themselves creatively and contribute meaningfully to their community's craft production.
Initiating dialogue and community cohesion:
Raising awareness among the Sarkhej community about existing tools and resources available to them.
Creating conversation starters that encourage community members to interact and share knowledge.
Strengthening community bonds through shared appreciation of local resources and cultural heritage.
Pivot
What do people think is an Artisan?
User Studies
Questions Asked
What is a craft to you? Examples of craft?
What comes to your mind when I say the word terracotta?
What objects made of terracotta can you find around your house? (Could these not be considered a craft?)
Do you know who makes these products or have you ever tried to contact them?
Do you find any benefit from a stronger maker-consumer relationship?
What are the ways in which this could be achieved?
Purpose
These questions were asked to get a feel of what the audience thinks of such crafts in genera;, what they perceive a craft to be and how it varies from what Sarkhej is making.
Artisan Eligibility
Artisans or skilled craftsmen who work in a specific trade or craft may be eligible for an artisan card. This card can serve as proof of their expertise and may be required for certain professional opportunities.
System Design
Systems design is therefore the process of defining and developing systems to satisfy specified requirements of the user. The basic study of system design is the understanding of component parts and their subsequent interaction with one another.
When implementing changes to a system, it's crucial that the desired outcomes justify any challenges encountered along the way. While introducing changes can initially lead to friction, the ultimate results should outweigh these initial difficulties with their beneficial impact.
Final Solution
Building a bridge so that the artisan can make full use of all the resources available to them.
Publications
Small booklets we created pertaining to information about the govt schemes and resources available to artisans that they are not taking advantage of as well as books for social change bringing greater awareness to these artisans about labour laws, minimum wage etc in simple easy to understand language.
You can view this project here.
