Surface Design Awards – Complete

• INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE YEAR - NEW
  This is a new category that recognises wall, floor, ceiling and surface design products, including decorative, creative and inventive surfaces for the interior of buildings including both commercial and residential properties.

Tangible Patterns transcends mere fabrics, encapsulating the very essence of cultural identity, where stories and emotions intertwine. The project is rooted in Assam's vibrant heritage, drawing inspiration from its surroundings – colours, patterns, folds, and the weaving traditions performed by 'Xipinie' women weavers that define the region. Traditional woven patterns and natural dyes form the foundation of the design project, transformed into printed patterns expressing the designer's interpretation of these designs and natural materials. The concept of the repetitive process in textile making is explored, acting as a bridge connecting the past and the present.
The two fabrics, preserves the richness of traditions and designs while infusing them with contemporary relevance. In this journey, textiles become a canvas for cultural storytelling and a testament to the enduring beauty of traditional practices. Challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of traditional designs and materials, the project exemplifies the fusion of heritage and innovation.

The project exclusively utilizes felt cotton fabrics, which have been printed with natural dyes drive from tea, turmeric and indigo( green). These dyes were skillfully crafted by me using natural materials such as alum and seaweed extract, forming the foundation of the project. This canvas was then adorned with designs inspired by traditional woven patterns of Assam, where these patterns were engraved and laser cut.
The entire creative process draws inspiration from the time honored methods of the Assamese weaving community, renowned for their vibrant designs. Traditional motifs from Assamese testiles and the use of natural dyes served as the primary sources of inspiration.
The project features an innovative approach to surface pattern application, employing natural materials and colours to create for interior application. The amalgamation of natural pastes with felted cotton resulted in a distinct and durable material. This material was carefully engraved with intricate patterns using industrial laser cutter, resulting in captivating layers of surface designs. The project's distinctiveness lies in its ability to seamlessly blend heritage and innovation. It pays homage to traditional craftsmanship with use of natural dyes and motifs, while pushing boundaries of these designs into new materials and surfaces. The project stands as a compelling contender for the Award.

The project used natural materials like cotton felt used as a layer for quilting. And printed with left over tea bags and natural dyes like turmeric and indigo. Therefore the project has a high sustainability credentials.

while experimenting with natural dye and creating printed patterns. I faced a lots of challenges of getting the same shade or just the same thickness of dye pasted. the process also takes a lot of experiments done to get the right amount of pressure in the laser cutter so that it dose not destroy my fabrics. I did a lot of experiment to get the pressure right for the lasers and the colours for the final out come. The brown tea printed fabric was actually unintentional as the Design was supposed to cut but is engraved and the dark brown design was achieved as the laser burned the surface of the tea printed fabric.