The Bangle Project
Sponsor: Design Matrix
Graduation Project
The Bangle Project revolves around the creation of decorative lamps. These lamps incorporate glass bangles made by the artisans of Firozabad. The underlying purpose of the project is to celebrate the remarkable craftsmanship of bangle makers and glass blowers from Firozabad by seamlessly integrating their handcrafted cultural artifacts into lighting design, making them the central focus. This not only highlights their dedication and artistry but also preserves and promotes the rich heritage of their work. Bangles carry deep cultural and traditional symbolism and have been an integral part of Indian heritage for centuries. The circular form of the bangle was consciously retained while working with them, to retain the visual identity of the bangles as having a deep rooted socio-cultural significance in Indian culture. The torus form of the bangles not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the structural integrity of the bangles, making them more durable and resistant to breakage than other shapes.
The project started with a visit to the Firozabad bangle makers and glass blowers to see the production of these glass artefacts. The project looks at the different varieties of glass bangles and their associated cultural importance. In order to draw attention to the labor-intensive process that goes into crafting glass bangles, the bangle-making procedure and the challenges faced by craftsmen are also addressed.
Background Research
The Bangle Project aims to conceptualize and design a unique and captivating lighting fixtures using glass bangles as the core material. The objective is to create stunning pieces that showcase the artistry of glass bangle craftsmanship while offering functional and aesthetic value to potential customers. The target audience includes interior designers, homeowners, and individuals with an appreciation for unique, handcrafted decor. The lamps should appeal to those who seek both artistry and functionality in their home decor choices.
Bangle Exploration
While exploring, the designer maintained an industrial design perspective. The product focus was to emphasize the beauty of bangles. The idea was to create a small, decorative lighting fixture with minimal design to use as a gifting accessory.
The designer conducted diverse explorations with bangles, experimenting with joinery, structural designs, and various techniques such as UV glue joining, wires, threads, zip ties, and bending.
When determining the design of the joinery for the lamp, the designer engaged in divergent ideation for the forms and design of the lighting fixtures. They consistently went back to their drawings and sought feedback from their mentors on a regular basis. Initially, there was an unclear vision of the necessary joinery and assembly required for the product. After further consideration, they also needed to take a product-oriented perspective. With no cost restrictions, they felt free to create designs that may prove more costly to manufacture or require time-consuming assembly. The ideation process is segmented into three distinct sets.
Exploration Set A: This set draws inspiration from the way bangles naturally arrange.
Exploration Set B: Inspired by the organic structure of bangles created during prior explorations.
Exploration Set C: Focuses on ideation related to the joinery for the bangles and the design of the bangle lamp.
After finalizing the design for the table lamp, the next crucial stage was to move on to prototyping the various ideations to assess the feasibility of bringing the product to life. While their mentors appreciated the lamp's form, the challenge of manufacturing and executing the design remained a significant undertaking. Through several iterations, the designer developed a joinery solution that showed promise.
Lamp Assembly and Design
The assembly of this lamp is remarkably straightforward, ensuring user-friendly setup. The bangles seamlessly snap into the ingeniously designed joinery, simplifying the process of integrating them into the lamp's structure. Additionally, the inclusion of threaded components in the lamp's design allows for easy and secure attachment of all parts. These well-engineered joineries not only facilitate effortless assembly but also contribute significantly to the lamp's overall structural integrity, ensuring durability and longevity in its design.
A "TODA" is an arrangement of glass bangles, skillfully assembled by artisans in Firozabad, India. This artful composition consists of a cluster of glass bangles, meticulously tied together with jute rope. The term "TODA" aptly captures the essence of this arrangement, as it is both a practical means of securing and transporting glass bangles and an attractive display piece.
TODA Table Lamp
TODA Floor Lamp
TODA Pendant Lamp
Additional Explorations
The Fabric of Our Lives
A site specific, light art installation composed of hundreds of transparent glass rings to create a 'bangle fabric' that is reminiscent of a flowy, bridal veil, the ‘bangle fabric’ is punctuated with numerous colored reflective infills that bring vibrancy to the overall visual both by day and night.
The beauty lies in the sheer scale in the tense juxtaposition of fragility vs strength where hundreds of glass hoops are woven together into a 'bangle fabric' designed to stand the test of wretched weather as well as in the transformation that happens with the changing nature of light from day to night.
Even as daylight dances with mirrored sheets and color filters that form part of the installation, to create random magical patterns and shadows a series of narrow beam inground uplights seek to achieve a similar effect, albeit from a different direction by night.
Banglescape
During a visit to Firozabad, the designer got their hands on borosilicate bangles available in a variety of finishes, including hand-painted, laser-etched, and transparent options. This discovery ignited a creative spark, leading to the design of captivating light totems that combined transparent borosilicate bangles with colored bangles.
These light totems were designed to cast enchanting reflections, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. UV glue not only ensures the structural integrity of the design but also enhances the overall visual appeal by allowing light to flow effortlessly, creating a captivating and harmonious play of illumination.
What's remarkable about this concept is its scalability, allowing for the creation of larger installations while maintaining a minimal yet traditional aesthetic. This fusion of materials and design elements not only showcases the versatility of bangles but also pays homage to traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern aesthetics.
Washi Paper
The designer tested how bangles interacted with different materials, such as Washi paper, a handmade cotton paper from Japan. This paper has the unique quality of diffusing light through it. As a first attempt, the designer constructed a cylinder out of this paper and fixed bangles to it. The blend of these two materials created a unified look as both were able to pass light through them.
FIN?
MORE TO GO, BECAUSE EXPLORATION IS A NEVER ENDING PROCESS