project journal: january 2011

Since beginning of this year, we started finally designing! For the project TASA* we are regularly meeting with about 15 (out of at least 40 we met) selected craftsmen, developing ideas and first prototypes- always accompanied by long conversations. Its essential to gain their trust, before start working. Without confidence no new piece!

We are working with very different crafts: Not only wood & traditional cane toys, handwoven baskets, handpainted & thrown ceramics, woven textiles, embrodery and palm weaving but also food productions such as pastry, medronho (a hard liquor made from a specific fruit) or sea salt.

Sometimes it is a very fast and easy to explain ideas, sometimes its a very slow process, always depending if the craftsmen understands value, usage and possible applications of a specific product. Lets cross fingers, we will have first prototypes by the end of february… but speed is pretty much depending on weather conditions, holidays and upcoming fairs. So, lets see if we keep their motivation up.

*Our designstudio is executing the project TASA (Técnicas Ancestrais, Soluções Actuais) for CCDR Algarve.