Mayantara is a platform for interdisciplinary designers to showcase and converse about their work during this pandemic. With a focus on crafts, architecture, and fashion, the virtual event covered topics from medical design to imagining the future of Indonesian product designers, and also saw well designed products by local talents.
Organized by the Indonesian Alliance of Industrial Designers (ADPII) and Indonesia Trend Forecast (ITF), Mayantara showed the synergy that could be achieved, including creating new concepts for a better creative economy.
Here are some highlights from the product design showcase.
Pono Chair by AIEVL
The Pono Chair takes inspiration from the shape and skeleton of Orangutan, and its Latin name Pongo pygmaeus. Orangutans continue to lose their habitat due to deforestations and illegal logging, and as a result, their population has been dwindling since 1999.
The Pono Chair was designed by AIEVL, a studio created by Indonesian industrial and product designer Denny R. Priyatna as a tribute to Orangutans and their homes, in an effort to raise awareness of endangered species in Asia.
Boma Tea Set by Harry Mawardi
Designed by university researcher and product designer Harry Mawardi for Amygdala Bamboo, the Boma Tea Set mixes bamboo and ceramic in its three-piece ensemble. The bamboo handle hugs the ceramic piece in the middle and loops into a circular handle for easy holding. Working with bamboo bird cage craftsmen, similar techniques including lattice work and laminated bending technique were used to put a new perspective to the afternoon tea set.
Linkkar Automata by Dini Aristya
Linkkar Automata's Bird Series is a collection of wooden wind-up toys with laser-cut pieces of wood and step-by-step instructions for easy assembly. A departure from electronic toys, the mechanic Bird Series was designed by product designer graduate-turned-cinematographer as a homage to native birds of Indonesia: the Bali Starling, the Knobbed hornbill and the Lesser bird-of-paradise.
The Cat Hut by Adhi Nugraha
You can now spoil your cat and carry them when travelling in this nifty Cat Hut aka Space Ship the Cat Cabin by Adhi Nugraha. The product designer and ITB professor devised this carrier’s robust structure with rattan to fit even the heaviest cat. With a top handle, a sturdy stand and a door with closure, the Cat Hut will keep your pet safe and comfortable during your travels.
The Onda Rocking Chair and Bella Series by Sang Ayu
The Onda Rocking Chair by Bali-based product designer Sang Ayu is not like most rocking chairs that are upright. Reclining in this lounger brings a rocking wave motion, just like the name “Onda” is derived from the Italian word for “wave”.
Sang Ayu also designed the Bella Collection that’s made with Batyline, a woven polyester fibre, fitted to a teak frame. Designed for Warisan Furniture, the ergonomic chair was so popular it drove the label to grow their outdoor collection with the same material.
Full Circle Collection by Caleo
Caleo is a local Indonesian brand that stemmed from a school final assignment. Since 2018, the bag label showcases environmentally friendly selections made with natural materials. Bags by Caleo uses a combination of white denim dyed in indigo with nature colouring and rattan, either used as handles or plaited for accent. Showcased here is the Panputi Bag from their collection Full Circle.
The Terra Series by Toufiq Panji Wisesa
The Terra Series is a different take on ceramics by Toufiq Panji Wisesa. Using sculpting techniques, the SpecimenWerk artist explores the possibilities of the material and reveals this futuristic planter. Unconventional in shape and with a strong personality, the Terra Series still speaks the same language as the plant it holds, granting it the nickname “the living sculpture”.
Blincclip by David Jonathan Oei
Blincclip is a reflector accessory for your bike that's thin, light and easy to install. Designed by David Jonathan Oei and made using 3M Diamond Grade reflective sheet, Blincclip reflects lights as it sways with your ride momentum, resulting in a blinking effect. You can also attach it to your helmet or jacket, and remain visible while exercising or walking outside at night.
Naradani Bags by Isti Dhaniswari
Industrial Designer Isti Dhaniswari turned to designing fashion bag in 2018 as part of a workshop that aims to prove local, high-quality Indonesian brand can compete with international labels. The label Naradani, named after Isti's daughters, showcases bags that are sustainable, from design, materials to the creation process. They use upcycled plastic and natural materials like pandan and vegetable-tanned leather, which doesn't use harmful colouring chemicals that continue to pollute the Earth. Naradani also collaborated with Mycotech to create Mylea, a vegan leather using farming waste.
Bunga Kertas by Budiman Ong
Inspired by the Bougainvilleas he planted at home, Budiman Ong of Ong Ceng Kuang created ‘Bunga Kertas’, a dainty chandelier made of crocheted stainless steel wires that emulate the colour and. intricacy and flowy curves of the flower petals. Budiman’s work is truly driven by the materials, technique and instinct, and is a departure from the conventionally structured crystal lamps.