CONCEPT BOARD (In Progress)

Now it was time to for us to work individually on our CONCEPT BOARDS based on the opportunities we chose from our micro areas. The opportuinity I chose was to solve the problem of mapping and signages in hauz khas village. Hauz khas village has no proper maps and signages for the visitor's  which leads to so much confusion among them as to where they have to go. And it seems like a really big problem area because many of the visitor's are not able to go to the exact place they want to go and even the google maps does not show the correct places.  

Concept Board
(Source: clicked by Sheetal Nagar)

Although it is still incomplete but my Concept Board depicts the confusion people face when they visit Hauz Khas Village beacuse of no direction signages and proper map.
I'll try to complete it as soon as possible and update you with it.

PRODUCT MERCHANDISING BOARD

PRODUCT BOARD
(Source: clicked by Aditi Vijh)

Now comes our PRODUCT BOARD. In this board we showed the type of market Hauz Khas Village is and the products which are sold here. We depicted the products by using their pictures and framing the pictures with material related to the product. So here's a list of products which you can find there :

Another view of the board

• Clothes
• Bollywood posters
• Vintage Material
• Bags
• Shoes
• Liquor
• Paintings
• Servies (Photography,Salon,ATM)
• Coffee
• Stationery
• Hookah
• Ciagrettes
• Jewellery
• Food (Street Food & High Class Food)

VISUAL CULTURE BOARD

Then we made the VISUAL CULTURE BOARD. Visual Culture is the aspect of culture expressed in visual images. We made this board in the shape of sunglasses so that we could show how the Hauz Khas Village looks from our perspective. In this board we showed what all you can see when you visit the place - architecture in the rural area as well as the urban area,behaviour of people etc through pictures and our sketches.

Visual Culture Board
(Source: clicked by Aditi Vijh)

Here comes the BOARDS….( Social Culture Board)

After we were done with our log books and research we had to make the boards. 3 boards in groups and 1 Concept Board individually. The 3 boards we made in groups were: 

• SOCIAL CULTURE BOARD
• VISUAL CULTURE BOARD
• PRODUCT MERCHANDISING BOARD 

The 3 Boards
(Source: clicked by Aditi Vijh)

At first we were way too confused as to what we have to exactly in these boards as we've never heard about these boards before. After clearing all our doubts we started making the boards.

 We started with our SOCIAL CULTURE BOARD.

SOCIAL CULTURE BOARD

In our "SOCIAL CULTURE BOARD" we showed the type of people that come to Hauz Khas Village (Designers,Photographers,Tourist,Office Crowd,Couples,Vendors etc) and the evolution as well as the history of this place.

HUNGRY?? Visit Hauz Khas Village

New Delhi's historic Hauz Khas Village (HKV) may be a bit scruffy at the edges, but there's no funkier spot in the capital to shop, eat and generally enjoy the vibe.

It is no doubt that Hauz Khas Village is one of the most happening spots in the city, be it day or night. It holds a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and so much more. So here is list of some of the most popular spots to satisfy your taste buds in hauz khas village :

Bombay Bhelpuriwala | Street Food
Where: Right by the barricade, on the right, after Lokayata Art Gallery

QuaLitti Street | Street Food
Where: G8, Building 39

Mellt’s Kulfiano | Dessert Joint
Where: Opposite Amici

Ali Baba Caves | Restaurant

Where: 1st floor, Building 30

Play@30 | Food

Main lane of Hauz Khas Village
(Source:google images)

Where: 1st floor, Building 30

Raas | Restaurant
Where: 9A, 1st floor

Momo Hotdog Cabin | Food
Where: 1A {next to Chumbak}

Bulldogs | Restaurant & Bar
Where: T 6B, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Floor, Hauz Khas Village

Elf Café Lounge | Restaurant & Bar
Where: 26 A, 2nd Floor, Hauz Khas Village

Garage Inc | Restaurant & Bar
Where: 2nd Floor, Power House Building, 30, Hauz Khas Tank

The Pink Room | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 29-A, Hauz Khas Village

Restaurants at night
(Source:googleimages)

Zo Café & Kitchen | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 1 Hauz Khas Village

Smoke House Deli | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 12 Hauz Khas Village

Maquina | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 30 A, Hauz Khas Village

New York Slice | Restaurant

Where: 50, Hauz Khas Village

Matchbox | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 30, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Village

The Big Burrp Theory | Restaurant 

Where: 50 D, Ground Floor

My Bar | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 28, 3rd Floor, Hauz Khas Village

O Curry | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 36, Hauz Khas Village

Imperfecto | Restaurant and Bar

Where: 1A/1, Hauz Khas Village

Naivedyam | Restaurant 

Where: 1 Hauz Khas Village

Out of the Box | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 9A Hauz Khas Village

Mia Bella | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 50 A, 3rd & 4th Floor, Hauz Khas Village

Kunzum Travel Café | Cafe

Where: T- 49, Hauz Khas Village

Raasta | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 30, Ground Floor, Power House Building, Hauz Khas Village

Fork You | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 30, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Village

L’Opera | Cafe

Where: 9A, Hauz Khas Village

Bootlegger | Restaurant & Bar

Where: 1A, 3rd Floor, Hauz Khas Village

THE MAP (Macro area)

Individual map of macro area
(Source: clicked by Sheetal Nagar)

This is my individual map of the macro area that we had to make on cloth using different materials.

Compiling everything in the log book...

All the information collected from everywhere had to be compiled in the log books in the form of written matter,pictures,sketches etc. 

Map and history
(Source: Clicked by Sheetal Nagar)

Sketches showing the different modes of transport.
(Source: clicked by Sheetal Nagar)

I started my log book by jotting down the aim and our learning outcomes of this module. Then I sketched a map of hauz khas village and showed the connectivity from different transports.We had to sort our information on the basis of micro and macro.

I started with my macro where I wrote about the History and evolution of hauz khas along with the transformation that took place there.
I created a flow chart which shows the division of the village in 3 parts :  Residential area, Commercial area and the Historical area. '

The flow chart
(Source: clicked by Sheetal Nagar)

Sketches of the things you see when you first enter the village

The  brochures

Then using sketches and pictures I described all these areas in details which showed the different cultures of hauz khas. 
We were asked to show the whole essence of hauz khas through our log books for which I sketched the whole ambience of hauz khas, the people that you see there, the type of products sold there etc. I also pasted the brochures of the different restaurants we collected from there.After compiling the research of the macro area I wrote about the micro area. Again we had to write about the history,evolution,ambience,culture etc in detail of the micro area. 

Information regarding the residential area

Sketches of products sold in Hauz Khas Village

Brainstorming (Macro & Micro)

After collecting all the research from all the sources we had to compile it in our log books and do a brainstorming for both macro as well as the micro area.

Brainstorming for macro area

During our research we got to see two sides of this so called happening place of New Delhi. The bright side as well as the dark side of it. My brainstorming depicts the same. The words on the right side show all the negatives as well as the problems in the hauz khas village wheras the words on the left side show all the positives about the village.

Then we had to to do a brainstorming for the opportunities in our micro area. 

Brainstorming of micro area.

Our micro area was the main lane of the hauz khas village. In this braistorming we jotted down all the problems in Hauz Khas Village to find opportunities for design intervention.

The story of Hauz Khas Village (Macro)

Did you guys know the interesting story behind the name of the Hauz Khas Village?? Some of you didn't right? So let me tell you about it...

 Hauz Khas is derived from Urdu words which literally means 'Water Tank' for 'Hauz' and 'Royal' for Khas.

The water tank
(Source: clicked by Kanishka Kapoor)

History has that a water tank was excavated during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khilji who ruled from 1296-1316. The tanks were used to store water during the rainy season and used to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri. This water tank was named as 'Hauz-i-Alai' after the Sultan. In the years after Ala-ud-din, lack of maintenance led to silting up of the channels that fed the tanks and it dried up.

During the reign of Feruz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) the water supply system to the tanks was restored by clearing the inlet channels that were clogged by dirt and mud. The tanks then came to be known as the Hauz Khas or Royal Tanks.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauz_Khas_Complex

A new journey begins...

Module 4 began. This time we were going to work in groups of 6. We had to select a macro area as well as a micro area under that micro area and do a detailed research about  the same. Our macro area was THE HAUZ KHAS VILLAGE.

The Hauz Khas Village
(Source: Google images)

Yeah you read it right. "The Hauz Khas Village" as we all know the perfect party place for all those party animals as well as a hub of many designer boutiques for all the to-be-brides out there. Yeah we had to research about that. Seems exciting right? It indeed was but a lot tiring too. We had to study about each  and every aspect of it. 

We started our primary research of the area by visiting it and analysing it. We had to click pictures, take interviews,sketch anything and everything we see in our log books. At first it was a bit creepy as the local people kept staring at us. But we avoided them and continued with our research. We took a few interviews of the local people,tourists and the other visitors. 

The whole experience was good as we got to see the Hauz Khas Village from a different view. We went to places we never knew existed there. It was very exciting and tiring too but worth it. Our visit there was successful as got to know so much about this place which we wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the project. You'll get to know more about it in my next post.

MATERIAL EXPLORATION 5

Lac being pressed and rolled.

Lac shows the property of elasticity as when it is pressed and rolled it starts to elongate. Getting inspiration from this property of lac I tried to create something using rubber bands as a substitute. 

Can you see that picture below? That is what I created. I started with the idea of doing braiding with rubber bands but I couldn't do it then I tried to tie the rubber bands by knotting them together. The result was better than what I expected. 

Material Exploration 5

VISUAL EXPLORATION 5

Visual Exploration 5

Now I wanted to come out from the circles as it was getting too boring. So I changed the shape and tried to do something with squares. 

EXPLORATION 4 (Visual & Material)

Visual Exploration 4

A bangle is just a frame like structure and the Lac Bangles of jaipur are famous for their laheriya pattern . So keeping these two things in mind I wanted to explore further. First I sketched how I can create a structure using this idea. I created a prototype for my skecth using a thread and embridery frame. I wrapped the thread around the wooden frame in a symmetrical pattern. 

Material Exploration 4

Taking my exploration further I used split key rings and wrapped thread around them. Then I made a composition using these key rings on a black paper.

EXPLORATION 3 (Visual & Material)

Material Exploration 3

In my third material exploration I tried to explore further using broken glass bangles and colored powder. I created an abstract composition out these 2 materials.

Visual Exploration 3

 Further I explored what other patterns or composition I can make by sketching it. The picture above shows my explorations.

EXPLORATION 2 (Visual & Material)

Long sticks of lac

 During the process of making Lac Bangles, the lac is converted into thin long coils and strips which inspired me to explore and play with long lines.

Visual Exploration using lines

In my second visual exploration I tried to play with lines by first using straight lines and creating a pattern then I tried to convert these straight lines into wavy lines to create the laheriya pattern which is designed on the Lac bangles. After this tried to form a pattern using curved lines.

Material Exploration 2

Out of these visual explorations I chose the one with straight lines and further explored it with materials. I used coloured wooden sticks and colored powder to create a texture. 

EXPLORATION 1 (Visual & Material)

After completing our boards we had to start our explorations. Both visual and material…which seemed like a really tough task to do in the beginning but as I started to explore it became more and more interesting and a bit easier.

Explorations in class

Visual exploration 1

 In my first visual exploration I tried to explore how it will look if I placed many circles overlapping each other behind a large circle. I chose the shape of a circle as the bangles are circular.

After exploring it visually I tried to explore it using  materials. I wanted to see how will it look in real. So I made many circles using the pastel sheets and pasted them overlapping each other using a double sided tape to give a 3d effect. 

Material Exploration 1

The picture above (material exploration 1) is the result.

MATERIAL BOARD

Then i started working on my Material Board

Material Board.

My Material Board which consists of the material the craftsmen use to make lac bangles.

The material used in this board is :

• Lac
• Coloured Powder
• Stones
• Mirrors
• Aluminium wire
• Pearls

INSPIRATION BOARD

Then I began working on my Inspiration Board

An Inspiration Board is more specific and visual. A collection of visual references that are the starting point for elements that will eventually show up in the designed product.

My Inspiration Board

My Inspiration Board shows what inspired me to choose Lac bangles as my topic. The vibrant colours, fascinating way of making these beautiful ornaments, the beautiful pearls,precious and semi-precious stones. 

Mood Board

I was all ready with my research and my log book…now was the time for VISUAL BOARDS FOR IDEATION. We were asked to develop inspiration,colour,mood and material board for the topic we choose.It was the time to gather all the information i have and then put all of it, creatively on my boards.

My mood board

I started with my Mood Board.

Mood Board is typically a collage of images,fonts,colors,textures and samples of objects that define the style of the project. It serves as a visual tool to quickly inform others of the overall “feel” (or “flow”) of an idea or the proposed product.

My mood board depicts the rajasthani culture which shows happiness,festivity,celebrations,auspiciousness,vibrant colours. Women who wear lac bangles believe that it brings good omen to them and these bangles are a sign of marriage. 

Can you see that picture in the bottom right corner? That woman is wearing lac bangles on her wedding day. The rajasthani dancers in the picture represent happiness and celebration. Those ladies standing show the vibrant colours.

How are these beautiful bangles made??

The craft of making lac bangles is traditionally practiced by the Manihar or Lakhera communities in Rajasthan. Manihars belong to Muslim communities while Lakhera community consists of Hindus. Historically  both the communities are engaged in the craft of making lac bangles and the same is transferred to the younger generations too.
There are about 500 families involved in the lac bangle-making business in Jaipur. These families have their own Bhatti. Two to three persons can work on a furnace. The flat metal surface on either side of the Bhattiis heated by the fire in the furnace. On this the artisan makes bangles of different sizes. This process is generally done by the male workers while the female partner plays helping role. The bangle making involves three major steps:

• Making of colors

• Making of bangles

• Finishing

The base brown color lac is initially coated with white color

Making of colors: 
The process of making colors starts with melting the Lac pieces in kadhai (shallow vessel). The heating is done till the solid lac pieces turns into semi-molten state. At this stage beroza and giya pathar powder is added along with powdered colors brought from the market. The mixture is stirred well. Once the mixture is properly made heating is stopped and the liquid is allowed to cool down to a semi solid state. After this it is stuck at the end of a wooden or cane stick. Different colors are stuck on different sticks and shaped into a cube form. The color used depends on the market demand. Traditionally red, green and yellow colors are used.   

Making of the bangles: 

Thin coils are cut into pieces using a metal strip.

Normal lac is stuck on a wooden rod and rolled over a flat surface to make it into a cylindrical shape. This lac is then heated slowly over the coal Angethi (burner). The heated lac is continuously pressed and rolled over the flat iron plate with the help of Hatta. The colored lac is heated simultaneously and then applied evenly by rubbing it on the lac. The artisans make sure that the lac has reached a sufficiently warm and soft stage before applying the color on it. This process is called Rang Chapna. 

The coil is heated slishtly to soften.

Once the color has been applied to the lac base it is again shaped with the help of Hatta into a thin coil and cut off from the plain lac rod. The thickness and the length of the coil approximately depend on the final shape and size of the bangles. This whole process is done by a single artisan and then passed on to different aritans. The coil is then placed in a farma, and pressed with the help of hatta so that the coil takes the shape of the farma. Coil is then taken out and heated again over the burner so that the ends can be joined together to form a bangle. The process is called Moojodaai. Thus it is passed over to another artisan for further work. The semi formed bangle is slipped into a round wooden beam with a tapering end for different sizes and adjusted for size. The artisan rubs the lac bangles over this wooden beam with the help of a piece of cotton cloth dipped in oil. This gives shine to the bangles. The process is called Ghotaai. Once the size and shape is obtained wooden beam along with the bangles is dipped in cold water to freeze the shape. Bangles are taken out and kept at a clean cool place.

Finishing: 

The bangles are ready to be embellished with sequins, semi-precious stones, mirrors, beads etc. For applying the sequins, they are heated over a tin plate kept on a small burner. The metal base of the sequins gets heated and easily melts the lac surface on which they are placed and stick there after cooling. They are picked up one at a time and stuck on the bangle. The process requires great precision. It takes much longer when working with smaller sized sequins. This process is called as Chipai. The embellishment is done by the women of the family.

You can watch the video of making lac bangles here:

https://youtu.be/5LgmB6JndEs