Bamboo Incense Stick Cluster, Nalbari - Design Clinic Scheme

Design Awareness Programme
(Need Assessment Survey and Design Clinic Workshop)
Checklist for Design Expert(s) to conduct Need Assessment Survey
Name and address of MSME unit:
Contact Person with designation and contact details: Mahendra Chil. Phone: 96783 57388
Product range: Artifacts carved from bamboo root
Nature of work: Artifacts carved from bamboo root, a small grocery store, selling of petrol, renting of space for parking of two‐wheelers
Turnover: Not divulged
Infrastructure set‐up:
Employee strength: 2
Date of visit: 18‐07‐13
Sl. no. Opportunity areas for design intervention Covered? Remarks
1 Product design, redesign, product development Y
Artisan makes decorative products using roots of bamboo. The form of the roots guide
the products, which are various animals and fish
2 Technology, modernisation and collaboration Y All products are hand‐tooled and are executed by a single artisan
3
Research and development directions for future
initiatives
Y
The artisan has all but given up on the activity. He and his son, the other member of the
team, require training in order to produce products of a salable quality
4
Innovation in process and related areas for design
intervention Y Needs extensive training in order to better the form and finish of his products
5 Workstation and tooling design Y
All products are hand‐tooled and are executed by a single artisan. Tools include the
standard hacksaw, dao and katari
6
Market and competition study for design advantage and
distinction Y Needs extensive training in order to better the form and finish of his products
7 Training and skill upgradation, if any Y
Training in refining the forms of and better finishing of the product in addition to having
a variety of sizes would make them much more desirable
8 Ergonomic and environment factors Y Artisan works seated on the ground with his hand tools.
9
Packaging, logistics and storage related design
opportunities
Y
Packaging consists of wrapping with newspaper. All storage is in the workshed. Once
products have been refined, the artisan needs a way of supplying these to the market.
One example could be small design offices which aid with design inputs as well as form a
suppply chain to stores in and around the state.
10
Infrastructure and capability enhancement from design
perspective Y Covered in points 3, 6, 9
11 Exhibition / display design opportunities Y
The artisan exhibits his products at local and state exhibitions. Better executed products
highlighting the fauna of the state of Assam would liven up regular exhibitions, especially
if displayed in a tableau
12
Visual identity and branding from communication design
point of view
Y
Creation of an identity linking the quality of material used and craftsmanship to its
provenance will help build value for the product. Small hangtags with information about
the name and habits of the animal depicted help capture the attention of potential
buyers
13 Inter cluster communication Y None
14
To create a visible impact and effectively develop
capabilities of MSME Y Covered in points 3, 4, 6, 7
15
To improve the process of manufacturing and
productivity
Y
Certain degree of machining in the prepation of the bamboo roots for shaping as well as
use of buffing machines in the finishing processes
16 To increase market share and profitability Y Covered in point 11
17
To reduce rejections, wastages in material, process,
resources and drudgery in labour Y Covered in point 15
18
To improve product manufacturability, servicability,
manufacturing process, packaging, logistics operations
etc. Y Covered in points 9, 15
19
To add value to the product or services concerned and
increase their competitiveness Y Covered in point 12
20
To create a positive difference to the MSME, either in
absolute revenues (indicating higher profits) or in
percentage terms Y Covered in points 3, 6, 9, 11, 12
Remedial design solutions suggested
Improvement in the crafting and finishing as well as incorporation of smaller sizes in the design repertiore. In addition, since most of the products represent animals and fish,
the inclusion of some information and some local lore regarding them will capture the imagination of potential buyers.
At a manufacturing level, a common CFC with machiners especially for finishing techniques would infinitely help the end look of the product.
At the training level, a short workshop on sculpting tools and techniques is required to better the abilities of the artisan
At a macro level, the instatment of a purchase and supply chain to stores and exhibitions around the state and country will help get the products a better market base.