Traditional arts and crafts: Responsible lifestyle products design through heat transfer printing

Abstract

Sustainability is the key to responsible production and conservation of environment, which is the need of the hour. Indian motifs based on traditional textile arts and crafts have always been a source of inspiration not only to Indian designers but also have intrigued global designers. These motifs can be adapted into lifestyle products through modern techniques of surface enrichment. Lifestyle products hold a lucrative market in the textile sector. Apron is one such lifestyle product which falls under the category of accessories. This study explores how traditional knowledge of Indian arts and crafts can open up avenues for responsible designing of lifestyle products. In the present study, fifty motifs/designs from textile and architectural sources of Manipur were collected from secondary sources, adapted and simplified for application in kitchen apron using CorelDraw X3 software. Ten adapted designs were selected through visual inspection by a panel of thirty judges. The design arrangements were developed for kitchen apron by preparing line patterns, motifs/designs layout and colourways, respectively. The outcome of every step was visually evaluated by the same panel of thirty judges, except for the line patterns, on five point scale. The prototype scoring highest weighted mean score i.e., rank I was selected for further developing the following consequent steps. The finalized designs were printed on the paper using disperse dyes. The printed papers were then used to transfer designs on the constructed and finished apron made of polyester/cotton blended fabric. The cost of apron was estimated Rs. 244/- which can be reduced if produced in bulk. Consumer assessment was carried out for the printed apron on various aesthetic parameters. Consumers’ acceptance for the printed apron was found high which reflected its marketability owing to uniqueness of the motifs, traditional values associated with the traditional motifs of Manipur, sharpness of design lines, the clarity of prints and the reasonable price. Thus, study outcome revealed that the designs inspired from traditional textile arts and crafts of Manipur can be successfully rejuvenated into lifestyle products through heat transfer printing which is environmentally feasible, socially acceptable and economically viable.