Final Year Thesis at ISDI, Parsons

Kumbharwada is my final year thesis done at ISDI, Parsons. The projects includes a visual identity, awareness campaign and a website created for India’s largest potter’s community.

My role: Research, Brand Identity, Interaction Design, Advertising, Photography, Videography

Advisors: Anando Dutta, Priyanka Srivastava

Year: 2018 - 2019

About Kumbharwada

Kumbharwada is one of the first settlements in Dharavi that was built by migrants from Gujarat and nearby districts. It’s the hub of the pottery industry, a famous traditional craft. A 12-acre land inhabited by the potter’s community, Kumbharwada is a close-knit community that believes in strong family and social ties.

<aside> 💡 There are over 120 kilns that are used by the potters, some shared and some for personal use. The potters make a variety of terracotta objects, including plates, vases & diyas.

</aside>

Visits & Learnings

Kumbharwada functions like an artisanal village system in the middle of the slums of Dharavi. While men sit with their wheel from morning to evening, women complete their daily chores. I spent a couple of weeks with various families to get familiar with their lifestyle and understand their day-to-day problems.

• Lack of new technology has hindered the quality and quantity of production.
• Lack of creativity as compared to the outside ceramic industry.
• The craft is considered to be time-consuming and strenuous by the new generation, which is more interested in jobs and a different lifestyle outside the slum.
• The local population of the city is unaware of the community and the craft, leading to its decline because of increased globalization.