Aa-Lok
A self initiated project
This was the beginning of BUNAI, a community for craftsmen. The tag-line “i for artisan” induces the feeling of being a part of a community and a sense of belonging. It is a profit making organisation. It’s a social impact business in collaboration with various communities like Crafts Council of West Bengal, Artisana and Sienna. It aims to develop new contemporary handicraft products as well as improve the livelihood of the artisans and encourage the use of sustainable materials in the industry.
The ideation of the concept Aa-lok revolves around the unification of two materials together. The best way I discovered to do so was by using a continuous form and create a visual division through material instead of form elements. The capsule form denotes a zen feeling as it includes closure yet the weave of the cane shows depth and the light dispersing depicts enlightenment. The form is associative yet with a new vibe through difference in texture and material.
