Sunday, 15 March 2015

Week #1 Exploring the Waters [Riona S. Roy]

Riona S. Roy


After a very intense week of submissions and chaos in Module 4, we started off with the first week of Module 5 – Design Solutions.  The briefing for this module was crisp and clear. We had to break down the solutions to the problems and comebacks we face in the design process.  Basically, we had to zero down on a place or a unit and with the help of extensive research and data collection we had to figure out how things work or happen in the particular place. We had to draw, sketch, explore, document and capture the different aspects and vibes of our chosen unit. After lot of discussions and opinions, our section L was assigned the local Naraina market, which is in the periphery of our campus. This was an interesting and versatile option to explore as most of us have been here several times but never really explored this market.  This market is not at all extraordinary, it’s just like every other small local markets like other places in New Delhi. But as we set out to move around the market we saw it had many options and shops related to our everyday stuffs. My teammates and I explored a lot of options to research on like pan shops, local mandir, florists, jewellery stores etc. Although with so many different options we were at a lost on what shop to be selected which could sum up all the various aspects we were assigned to cover which are people, society, culture, object, material, ambience, system, products, demographic, psychographic  etc.  Wandering around, a Wedding invitation card making banner caught our eye. We went inside for a trial, to know more about the place. In the dull monotonous surroundings of Naraina market, the vibe of this place was actually a contrast. The reception itself had a charm on its own. Colourful draping, boxes, cups, cards and other customised products pleased our eyes. The ambience definitely went with firm’s name INDICOLOUR.  After waiting for a while the receptionist let us in. The General Manager/co-partner of this firm greeted us and agreed for a meeting. We sat down interrogated him and noted few pointers about the place. We got to know, formerly a printing press this unit has started designing beautifully customised products very recently. It had only been a year and the business of INDICOLOUR was on a roll. They have associated with big names like Jabong and Snapdeal . Their product demands were pretty high too. We even had a chat with the other partner and got to know other aspects of the firm. We saw cups being designed, marvellous and luxurious wedding boxes made of such beautiful stones like marble and onyx. Their cards and all other products were elaborate and aesthetically pleasing. We were surprised the amount their clients are willing to spend on the invitation alone. But then it’s India and as according to them the wedding business is always a boom.  We saw designers at work, working with different designing softwares.  The best part what we found was they were willing to make anything as per their client requirements. They make all customised products, you name it and it’s on their list. We captured different ambience of the place from the calm reception and designing area filled with myriad colours, we moved on to a more chaotic printing and production oriented area which I personally didn’t find it very fancy. This place was full of labourers working hard in that lazy afternoon. After looking around a tad bit more and asking few more questions we decided to depart and visit the following day. We had taken a lot of photographs capturing the essence of Naraina market with the peddlers, street dogs, trucks, tractors and the industrial area. We even captured the interiors of INDICOLOUR the bright spaces and the contrasting factory area with heavy machinery and all. We have been collecting more data and have sketched out the area too. So finally this encompasses our experience of the first week. 



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