Deep in a quiet craftsmen’s town, the story of Channapatna begins with the whir of a lathe. Wood softens, colours ignite, and humble shapes awaken into joyful characters.
Welcome to the Land of Toys, where every creation feels like the start of a fairytale.
Other Work
Self Initiated
Timeline
Tools
Client
Adobe Photoshop | Illustrator | Procreate
4 weeks | 2023
Product Design
Industry
Hold and Drag to view!
Gombe Galige
Branding | Game Design | Packaging
Secondary Research
Cultural Identity
Often associated with Indian childhood and playtime traditions
Hold nostalgic value for many Indians
Historical Legacy
History dating back over two centuries
Artisanal skills passed down through generations
Empowerment of Artisans
Provides livelihood for numerous artisans and their families
Promotion helps sustain local communities and empowers artisans to preserve their cultural heritage
Sustainable Practices
Traditionally employs eco-friendly materials and natural dyes derived from vegetable extracts
Keywords
Interactive Play | Craft Heritage | Hands-on Learning | Craft Heritage
Problem Statement
“Channapatna’s 200-year-old toy craft is on the brink of extinction. Cheap mass-produced imports have collapsed demand, threatening artisans’ livelihoods and pushing this historic cultural tradition towards disappearance. Preserving the craft requires reimagining the toys as interactive learning tools."
Design Solution
The creation of Channapatna stacking toys for children aged 7–11 introduces an engaging way to explore various professions. The colourful figurines support imaginative play and broaden career awareness.
Paired with flash cards, they strengthen memory, cognitive skills, and problem-solving. Together, they inspire curiosity and help children envision future possibilities.
Moodboard
A cohesive visual palette capturing the essence of Channapatna craft.
In the Making
Documenting the hands-on carving process to bring the toy to life.
Iterating with shapes, colours, and symbols to create a logo that reflects the project’s interactive spirit and playful identity.
The game Gombe Galige, is derived from Kannada, meaning “For the Toys”. The cards showcase both- the as well as the Kannada script.
Logo Ideation
Keywords
Cheerful | Energetic | Playful | Vibrant | Friendly
Aa
Poppins Regular
Headings
Title Text
Aa
Poppins Semibold
A cohesive mix of toys and cards crafted to enhance play, learning, and exploration.
Featuring 20 profession-themed illustrated cards designed to spark curiosity and play.
Final Collaterals
Final Figurine
Crafted from soft beech wood, this prototype visualizes the look and feel of the modified Channapatna dolls. The detachable head, torso, and legs offer a simple DIY assembly experience for children.
Lower Body
Torso
Head
Key Takeaways
Propagating Channapatna toys was an enriching experience, with innovation emerging as the key challenge. Learning the craft firsthand in the wood lab, where I shaped two dolls on the lathe helped me understand the making process intimately.
Developing a playful, approachable identity was central to the project, balancing tradition with contemporary design to keep the craft relevant and resilient.
Brief: Document a journey with clarity and intention, capturing key transitions, processes, and insights as they unfold. Through focused visual storytelling and curated artefacts, the project aims to present the journey’s evolution in a coherent, refined, and well-articulated form.