Product Development and Market Strategy for CSR Program
In East Kalimantan, the art of rattan weaving was at risk. While the craftsmen
possessed exceptional skills, the weaving process was labor-intensive, and
younger generations showed little interest in learning the trade. The local
market, though willing to pay premium prices, remained underserved due to the
low production capacity and outdated designs.
This project aimed to tackle the challenge:
How can we develop designs that increase craftsmen’s productivity and meet
market demand while preserving their cultural heritage?
Preserving traditional rattan woven technique.
Institution
National Craft Council
Duration
2 years (2017 - 2018)
My Role
Researcher, Designer, and Instructor
Responsibilities
Research Plan, Ethnography, Participatory Design
Impact
The initiative achieved measurable success:
Productivity Boost: Simplified weaving designs reduced production time, enabling craftsmen to produce more items monthly.
Market Appeal: Developed 16 new symmetrical patterns, combined with leather elements, that resonated with modern tastes.
Cultural Preservation: A training program empowered craftsmen with new techniques, ensuring knowledge transfer to younger generations.
Approach
Over two years, the project employed a participatory design approach to engage local craftsmen and incorporate their perspectives.
Key methods included:
Ethnography: By observing and interviewing them in their own workshops, we learned about the real constraints in their environment.
Participatory Design: Co-creation workshops put craftsmen at the center of solution making. They could experiment with new ideas, react to prototypes, and shape details so the results felt like theirs.
Interview and observe craftsmen in their creative process.
Journey/ Process
Our team traveled to four villages in Paser, Muara Komam, spending time in the weavers’ homes and workshops. Each visit revealed the same struggles: weaving one bag took too long, pattern choices were narrow, and many craftsmen had to juggle weaving with other work to keep income steady.
Conducting participatory design workshop.
With these insights, we invited craftsmen to hands-on workshops. Together we tried simpler base woven sheets, explored how leather trims could modernize the look, and tested sewing machines for steps that did not need hand weaving. Each session ended with trials and feedback so the next iteration started from what felt right to them.
Rather than keeping the knowledge within the project team, we shaped it into a five-step training program. The weavers practiced together, corrected each other, and gradually saw that the new patterns weren’t harder, even actually easier and faster.
The final step was to take the designs to the market. We released sixteen patterns, asked buyers for feedback, and shared the results with the weavers. Seeing their work appreciated gave them pride and motivation to keep going.
Introducing new technique and combining with sewing machine tools
Result
The project delivered impactful outcomes that addressed both cultural and economic goals:
Final Products: Introduced a range of modernized rattan products, including bags with symmetrical patterns and leather elements.
Training Outputs: Equipped craftsmen with new skills and tools, enabling faster production and higher-quality outputs.
Sustainable Ecosystem: Fostered collaboration among craftsmen, where some specialized in material preparation while others focused on weaving.
Wallets from rattan woven sheets as the final product.
By blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative design and market strategies, this project revitalized a dying art form while creating economic opportunities for the community.
