'Pakkad' is a classroom project done under six weeks at the National Institute of Design. The idea was for us to understand the design process from the necessity to the production and marketing. The aim was to keep in mind use of minimum materials and simple forms to get the desired output.
I worked with the issues faced during Itajime Shibori(clamp dyeing) and how could I provide a better alternative for my users. I looked at aspects like immersion, use of materials and ergonomics. The end output was to curate a small DIY kit for the entire dyeing process so it was easily accessible to the public.
What is dyeing?
Resist Dyeing is a technique to colour the fabric tying it and dipping it in the dye. Different patterns are obtained using different techniques and tools. Dyeing in India is done in different sectors like commercial, educational and recreational.
Understanding the process of clamp dyeing and mapping the journey. C-clamps are industrial clamps that are usually used for dyeing, they are heavy and difficult to operate, at the same time they are prone to rusting as well.
Initial ideas and mockups understanding the concept holding things together. Objects like a pins, tongs and clamps that have been used for clamping. Experiments with dyeing small pieces of cloth helped identify how could be prototype for a larger scale.
Prototyping a clamp modified to hold a larger piece of cloth. The mock up was made out of mild steel and another made out of PVC pipe.
3D visualisation of the clamps and branding them as a dyeing toolkit for recreational purposes.
Thank you
