Designing products inspired by tribal motifs
Wilson Soreng is a Textile Designer and Assistant Manager at Obeetee Pvt. Ltd in Bhadohi, a rug company specialising in annotated rugs for export to US and European markets. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
According to Wilson design is an instrument that can impact numerous lives in various ways. Craftsmen communities can be mobilised through promoting their handicrafts. Wilson focuses on incorporating handlooms and handicrafts in his designs. His memorable projects at National Institute of Design include designing uniforms for staff of a hotel in UAE. This project helped him utilise the flexibility to choose fabric, colour and carry out production.
As a professional coming from a tribal community, he is inclined towards using natural fabrics, colours, motifs inspired from nature in his designs. Wilson identifies lack of time to research and time constraint of delivery to be the challenges faced by designers. His short term vision is to create a brand working exclusively with natural materials like jute, bamboo, palm leaves to make products like lampshade, carpets etc. His long term vision is to promote and train indigenous craftsmen communities. He finds that incorporation of contemporary needs into crafts is crucial to appeal to the international markets.
Inspirations from tribal motifs is utilised by Wilson in his design of rugs. His work reflects a traditional yet contemporary approach in creating sustainable products. With regards to indigenous crafts, he suggests skilling of artisans is crucial for their art claiming its place in the international market. The skill development of craftsmen communities can end the vicious cycle of poverty by generating employment.