02 — 2025.9.12 — 2025.10.10
UWC Value Bag Design
Functional Textile
01 — Inquiry
This project explored how abstract ideas such as diversity, peace, and mutual understanding could be translated into something people carry every day.
•UWC values are often discussed through words, but I wanted to communicate them visually.
•Research into batik revealed how deeply culture and craftsmanship are connected. • Boarding students carry their belongings across classrooms, residences, and outdoor spaces, making durability an important consideration. • The wax-resist process introduced limitations that immediately affected my original ideas. • Understanding those limitations early prevented major redesigns later.
02 — Ideation
Rather than using direct symbols, I explored patterns and forms that could communicate ideas more subtly.
•Circular forms suggested connection and balance between people.
•Interlocking patterns reflected diversity while still feeling part of a larger whole.
•Flowing lines helped unify separate elements into a single composition.
•Two charms were designed in Onshape, focusing on simple forms that remained recognisable when 3D printed.
•Simplifying ideas often made them stronger and easier to understand.
03 — Prototyping
Working with batik required patience. Unlike digital design, the outcome could never be controlled completely.
•Applied wax by hand using a tjanting pen before dyeing the fabric with indigo.
•Learned how wax temperature directly affected line quality and consistency.
•Discovered that coloured details inside dyed areas were not possible with the batik process, forcing a redesign.
•A drop of wax landed in the wrong place during production. Instead of removing it, I worked around it and it eventually became a cloud-like feature in the final pattern.
•The finished bag combined traditional textile techniques with digitally fabricated charms.
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