Little Rann of Kutch

STUDIO ONE Documentation

Š Vidhi Agarwal All rights reserved. Printed in India.

No part of this book may be used in any manner without written permission except for brief quotations for review purpose only.

STUDIO ONE

{

Guide: Dr. Tridha Gajjar Project by: Vidhi Agarwal Fourth Semester PGDPD in Graphic Design S1101101 vidhi.ag@nid.edu

PROMOTION OF

This is my first studio project at National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. I took up the cause of promoting Little Rann which lies in the heart of Gujarat. It is a barren desert area with a few villages on its periphery. On the periphery are contributors of India’s sixty percent salt production-the saltpan workers (agariyas). Besides the agariyas there are migratory birds which fly every year making it a paradise for birdwatchers. → forthesaltpans.blogspot.com

Generate......1

Ground Work One, Two, Three......7

CONTENT

Visualise......28

User Study & Application......50

Printing Expense......51

Of things I learnt & unearthed......52 Acknowledgement......53 Reference......56

GENERATE the one which opens opportunities

1

Ecotourism lodging NEWS

Expedition Flaura and fauna

Magazine Participation Fun Adventure economy Place Love Expansion Abroad

chaos

Maps Planned

Compass

Refreshing

Explore Lost Aeroplane Promotion Beauty Unplanned

Food cheated Experience

Backpack

Tourist Energising

Architecture

The green signal to our studio began with two words: Travel and Environment. After many sessions of fragmenting the two words I felt “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen” –as penned by Frank Lloyd Wright.

looted Knowledge Modes of Rucksack transport People Elevation tiring Past

2

3

Ecotourism

Flaura and fauna economy

A concern for the impoverished and ensuring that they are given their rights further compels me to undertake a project which helps in promotion of economic backward areas.

Promotion People

4

A small study of tourism was done for the state of Gujarat.

The Gujarat Tourism Website gave information about the tourist flow and the areas of tourist attraction.

Out of the twelve months, November,

December and January

were the key months when tourist flow was very high according to the website. The highly populated tourist areas were marked and this gave me an idea as to what are the other areas that could also be brought into this tourist zone through promotion.

5 1

Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch caught my attention.

It has been claimed as the international nature destination. Not only do wild ass but around one lakh flamingoes breed every year in the sanctuary. On the other hand I was also keen on learning about

tribal tattoo art forms

in India. The art is practiced in various communities who may not be keen on sharing their art or perhaps it could lead to a disturbance in their sanctity value.

The issue of tribal art form was relatively much more sensitive.

Wild Ass Sanctuary which exists in the Little Rann of Kutch; lies in central Gujarat and is known for its endangered wild asses which graze through a territory of 5100 sq km. Moreover, right in the heart of Gujarat lies the ground where 60% of the salt for the nation is produced. The workers in the salt pan toil hard for eight long months to give the nation its 35% of the salt. Yet they remain an impoverished sector slowly rising. But how many know this? How many have visited them? How many have gone to see how one of their households’ most essential food ingredients is made? I could not assume that people would know about Little Rann and go there if I told them through my promotional activity.

So a survey was done where I personally went to people , interviewed them and asked them to fill a brief questionnaire. I was initially looking at people who are fond of travelling or going out and are keen for adventure, which is why I decided to go to places where people go to eat and explore diverse food culture.

8 1

9

•

77% of the people knew about LRK

•

6 out of the 31 people surveyed had gone to LRK.

•

All the six people who visited LRK also visited the salt pans.

•

Their rating to the place was marked as average.

•

Magazine followed by newspaper and advertisements was the key source of information on LRK.

•

When asked to mention what they liked about the place, it was- never ending land, white whiteness, jeep ride of sanctuary and saltpans.

On the basis of the feedback especially on what the people liked about that place, a visual representation of that place could be derived and for that photographs of those places and themes would be needed.

Thus a purpose now had to be brought in for me to visit the salt pans. For this it was decided that I go and speak at the CEE and tell them about my project. I prepared a small essay based on the conducted survey in order to substantiate my discussion at CEE.The drafted essay was taken to CEE where I met Mr. Atul Pandey, Programme Director for Rural Programmes Group and CEE West. I first introduced myself and then explained him the reason for me being there. It has always been my wish to serve the impoverished people and help them out of their misery. Being a graphic designer I could do so by making their plight heard through generation of awareness.

{

Meeting at The Centre for Environment Education (CEE)

}

Centre for Environment Education was established in August 1984 as a Centre of Excellence supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. CEE, a national institution with its headquarters in Ahmedabad, has a mandate to promote environmental awareness nationwide and create awareness and understanding of environment and sustainability issues among community.

10

Mr. Pandey told me about some problems they were facing and said that till date there has been no information kit of the place.

No maps, no information of the villages in that area-all this leading to a problem of less communication. He also gave me contacts of two key people currently working in the Little Rann of Kutch and told me that I could avail their help if needed. He strongly recommended that I visit the salt pans, stay there for a minimum of 2 days, spend 2-3 hours with the Agariya families, and then assimilate the whole problem. They themselves wanted to raise the awareness but due to lack of funds they have been unable to do so. He said that once I am back from Kutch I could meet him and discuss some plans which could be actually implemented and worked upon.

11

After this I had discussion with my guide. I would be required to visit Little Rann, prepare an itinerary and see that my objectives are met from the trip. Study of existing travel kit, its variations, printable ones, both national and international ones also had to be done simultaneously with my research.

After a week of discussion with Ruchita and Nachiket photography students at NID and after speaking with Mr. Ayubh of CEE, the dates were finally decided for the trip.

I even discussed my itinerary with Mr.Ayubh. According to him, if I was to understand the problem, I would have to visit the agariyas and listen to them in person, see how they were living. He decided that we’d be visiting the salt pans and then further work on the issue.

The key objectives of the trip being: • Familiarizing with the problems of the saltpan workers.

• Studying the ecology of the wild ass sanctuary and the salt pans.

• Getting information on the existing tourism promotion.

• Discussing prospects of further promotion.

• Photography of the desert based on the survey done, a vital ingredient for my end deliverable.

Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat India

12

Patan Adesar Dasada Nava Talaw Kharaghoda

Day One 17th March, 2012

Gandhidham

I met Ruchita and Nachiket at the NID main gate from where we headed to Gita Mandir where we were to catch a bus for Halvad.

It is at a distance of 150 kms from Ahmedabad. The bus left at around 4.15 and at 8.30 we were greeted by Mr.Ayubh at the Havad bus stand.

The CEE Campus where we had to put up for the remaining days was three kms from there.

Once I stepped from my jeep I had barely gazed up and I saw thousands of stars peeping from the sky. It was a breathtaking sight and the campus was well maintained and clean. I could hardly wait for morning to come 13

and visit the salt pans. Sharing a small piece of poem which I wrote while I was there.

Bajana

Halvad

Dhrangadhra

Malwan

Ahmedabad

“

It was just a piece of land Shredded in pieces by the heat It didnt seem to hear me approaching It stood silently mocking at me Don’t you dare look at me I felt it deep within the nature’s breathing There was a chunk of it I wanted to ignore And a much larger that I was to adore...

The small solar lamps that paved the way And the stars that gazed at me from faraway, Silently smiled at me-those peeking lights Or were they drunk in darkness and feebly smiled...

14

Day Two 18th March, 2012

15

We left early in the morning around 8.30 for the salt pans. Mr. Ayubh was accompanying us. On the way we spotted lonely wild ass and clicked their photographs. We also stopped at Devji Barmecha’s camp for ecotourism. Devji Bhai hails from the family of agariyas and claims to know the Little Rann extremely well. He has been taking tourists both domestic and international for jeep rides in the desert. He has felt degradation in terms of human ethics. Travellers come, click photographs, run the jeep behind the wild asses and leave. He was terribly upset at such incidents and wants to inculcate how actually an ecotourist should behave. There should be an increase in sensitivity towards animals and plants. There should be humility and a need to live in sustainability. His primary concern was to arouse respect for nature in the hearts of those whom he meets. I too was touched by his words.

Devji Bhai Dharmecha

In the midst of the scorched landmass and the ever increasing temperature,

country’s 60% salt

is being made. I first made a stop at the pan of a labourer whose wife too was toiling along. They had a small makeshift shelter where I could scarecely see an object. Ayubh called the labourer’s seventeen year old brother whose occupation too was marked by his birth. We sat at the

threshold of their humble shelter and soon Andubha and Balwan Singh, the elderly salt pan workers joined in. I asked them how they were doing, were basic amenities accessible to them? They said that they were not happy. And later I learnt that after toiling for almost 14 hours a day right under the sun, the 16 government only sent a health check van once a week. If any mishap occurred these people were rendered helpless.

I asked them about what they wanted of their children. They told me that the children were at home and didn’t go to school because they had no money to send them to one. So what occupation presumably they did was follow in their parents’ footsteps and work as bonded laborers in the field.

Then came the most scariest calculation of my lifetime. The computation of their expenses towards producing salt pans and what is paid to them in return. They sell salt for 25 paise per kilo and we buy it for 15 ruppees per kilo. The remaining goes to the intermediaries. Lack of education has depleted them of marketing skills and thereby they are exploited by the traders. For a few moments I had nothing to say. The women too were in a pitiable condition. After working in field as hard as their husband they had to go home, cook and also be with their children.

I could sense that the condition was extremely intolerable yet they were compelled to make salt and make a livelihood.

17

I then met another salt pan worker, Premji Bhai. He had 6 panels of solar cells installed. The energy tapped by them was used to run the pump which pulled out water essential for the pans. He also had few pans on which other people worked. I got a chance to meet them and see what they were doing. They had been segregating the salt crystals from the water which was extremely rich in magnesium chloride. Both the salt and water are sold quite so at marginalized rates. I tried my hand at pulling the salt apart with the help of a shaft and realized that it was not an easy task. After a few pulls I felt a strain on my back. If I were to do it for an hour under the grueling heat it would be a nightmare and these men do it for hours, months and years. Such was the plight!

Day Three, 19th March, 2012

We first stopped at a pan where the trucks had tanks loaded on them which was pulling in the magnesium chloride rich water. Then we again stopped at another salt worker’s pan. There I briefly asked a worker about his alternative skills but he said that he just knew the job of “majdoori”. Ayubh also had his companion Mr. Shamad who was accompanying us. They both decided to take the jeep right inside the desert. The land got hotter and I could sense a mirage all around me. I couldn’t comprehend the diversity of the environment. I felt I had experienced heaven on earth. It was something unforgettable. Nothing could be seen save the parched land opening up its cracked lips begging for some respite.

Before I got further lost in thoughts, we came to a conclusion that we had seen enough of the desert and decided to set off for a school located at a distance of 15 kms from the desert. On reaching the primary school, I first met the principal and explained him the reason why I was there and then seeked his permission to speak to a few children. The children were all in the sixth standard and seemed too happy to get an unexpected break from there on going science class. After a brief interaction with them I figured out that they all were aware of the desert but they haven’t been there. They know that salt is produced there but they don’t know how it is produced.

From left: Nachiket, Ruchita, Ayubh, Shamad and myself

18

I was too overwhelmed by what I had seen and I wanted others to come and see as well what I had experienced. I realized that somewhere down the line the awareness regarding one’s own geography was missing. How something as basic as salt is being produced and that too in such harsh conditions was also not known to the children in the peripherial villages. These incidents have to be eye opener for all of us who take the rich gifts of god for granted. All these factors compel me to create something which will lead to the spread of knowledge of the Little Rann and the plight of the workers.

My role being able to sensitize the people all around the Little Rann as well as in the towns and cities of Gujarat.

19

The entire trip and other findings made me realise that it is only at the initial level that a child can be embibed with the qualities to respect nature and the fellow humans. It is at this stage one can be taught to grow up as a concerned citizen. The very children who live a few kilometers from the salt pan are unaware of the fact so how is it possible for people sitting in the far end to understand their problems.

It was decided that there are two possibilities in which the situation can be dealt with.

A campaign would cater to a larger audience and specially for the urban youth whereas a brochure would be for the children residing in the vicinity of salt pans as well as the nearby towns. At the end of semester, the jury observed that the project was a sensitive one and thereby they felt that there were various issues which could be further analysed such as: • Defining an effective solution for their development • Necessity of Promotion

Brochure

Poster Campaign However they appreciated the aspect of finding the problem and the conviction to redress it. The salt pan workers need immediate help and there has to be some action which goes beyond a campaign. Later the concept of designing brochure was rephrased, where the target audience will be photographers, ornithologists and birdwatchers. This group of people is more mature to understand the situation prevalent in LRK and capable of spreading the information regarding it in a much more sensible way.

20

GROUND WORK-2

The one where you examine existing work and generate content

21

Much had been discussed regarding the issues that prevail in Little Rann of Kutch. Action was required- with respect to finding content, building upon it and designing it thereafter. I realized that it has become very necessary to look at the existing work done on promoting tourism as this would give me an insight as to what would be the chief ingredients of my brochure.

Projects by Ayesha Sarkar on Sikkim Guide Book and Nalsarovar by Akash Raj Halankar were useful in understanding the kind of content that is expected in a brochure and placing a hierarchy in content. Lonely Planet Guide Books also gave acumen. A visit to the Ahmedabad Tourist Information Office also helped as I could avail brochures of few places such as Bhuj and Greater Rann of Kutch.

INFORMATION STRUCTURE

{ } The focus areas that emerged after going through the projects were...

DESIGN GUIDELINE TARGET CONSIDERATION LAYOUT CONSIDERATION TYPE CONSIDERATION

22

The initial drafted content structure

23

Eventually the target audience was fixed and divided into two groups: Group one: Group two: Ornithologists People looking for Botanists weekend getaways Ecologists and are enthusiastic Naturalists about travelling.

Photographers After fixing the target audience it further narrowed down to the structure beside.

24

GROUND WORK-3 The one from where you actually procure information

25

QA

In order to obtain the qualitative and quantitative information, I decided to approach the GEER Foundation and collect all possible information available in context and understand the scenario further. I met Mr. Bharat Bhai Pathak, the director of GEER, and explained him the project.

{

Is the project’s purpose something like Disaster Tourism or Slum Tourism?

}

GEER (Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation) is situated in Gandhinagar. Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation was formed by the Forests & Environment Department of Government of Gujarat to undertake activities like ecological education, ecological research, natural history interpretation, management of sanctuaries and national parks, and establishment of protected areas. The institution is committed towards research and betterment of the flora and fauna in the country.

I explained to him the scale at which promotion of Little Rann is needed.

I told him-How many are actually aware that it is a scarce patch of land for a fraction of the year and wetland for another. How many know that 60% of the salt produced in India is an outcome of the hard labour put in by the salt pan workers here. Moreover Little Rann has a strategic location being on the bird migration route with a paradise of birds that visit every year.

26

Mr. Pathak assigned Mr. Mehul who would look after all the information, photographs and the maps I needed for that place. I was also allowed access to their library where I found ample information. I also spoke to a senior scientist Mr. Ketan Tatu with whom I had a brief discussion on the ecosystem of LRK. A content structure was prepared which would enable the setting of voice and tone for the design process that lay ahead.

Entrance to GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar

27

V I S U A L I S E

28

This is probably an area where one has to blend the problem with design. Also several processes began parallel in this phase from deciding the format to making exploration to deciding on type.

29

THE ESSENCE The content structure called for spontaneity and eagerness to reach Little Rann and start exploring it. The whole narrative takes one through the highs and lows of LRK. It talks about the healthiness which lies in breathing early morning fresh air, lets in the story behind a pinch of salt and finally leaves you to the sight of birds coming from as far as Russia. The journey is a short getaway from the humdrums of daily life into a peaceful and a breathtakingly photographic and serene land. One stops in retrospection and again gets challenged by nature which asks him- How far can you get?

30

A closed size of 3.75”x 5.8” was taken. This size was considered easy to slip into small bags or between the leaves of a diary while travelling.

Moreover the open size was 22.5”x 5.8”

A size which could be comfortably opened using both the hands.

36

{

ILLUSTRATION

}

I had begun doodling and sketching the concepts as and when they came to my mind. Initially I wanted the brochure to feel like a travelogue which shares experiences through photographs and post cards stuck here and there and scribbles and doodles filling in. I wanted to explore different media simultaneously. A sample of few photographs taken during the trip in the following page.

37

38

Thumbnails of concepts were done reflecting the mood of the brochure.

39

Some digital versions were also tried.

40

Experimenting with different styles

Each bird was sketched with pen, water colors, simple line drawing and shading. Doing these explorations was exciting and at the same time i had to get my attention to details.

41

42

TYPE SELECTION A small typeface which could be clearly readable was considered. So based on that several options were considered for body copy.

Intro and History Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

MELBOURNE- 9pt

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

SERIFA LIGHT & BOLD- 9pt

Intro and History

Intro and History

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

ACID-9pt

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

Capsuula- 9pt

Intro and History

Intro and History

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

DEKAR- 9pt

43

Intro and History

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

Interstate- 9 pt

Intro and History

Intro and History

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

OFFICINA SERIF REGULAR & BOLD- 9pt

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

Colaborate- 9 pt

The final shortlisted typefaces for body copy.

Bell Gothic Size: 10 pt Leading: 14 pt.

Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

Sassoon Primary Size: 10pt Leading: 12 pt Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

Cambria Size: 10 pt Leading: 14 pt Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

Coronet Size: 10pt Leading: 12 pt Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

Sassoon Sans Size: 10pt Leading: 12 pt Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

Colaborate Size: 10pt Leading: 12 pt Heading from Ahmedabad if your speedometer has shown that you have been travelling for nearly ninety kilometers and its almost been 3-4 hours of you being huddled in the car.

44

LAYOUT EXPLORATION Initial Exploration Front

Where can one see a large whirling pool of water where the pink tinged flamingoes dance in the winters and a mass of salt encrusted barren land fed on by the wild asses in summer?

Little Rann Of Kutch

For centuries Little Rann of Kutch has been a mystical drapery to the mankind. Its unique ability to transform over the seasons has been an enrapturing experience for travelers worldwide.

Located in the heart of Gujarat, spread over Kutch, Banaskantha, Mehsana, Rajkot and Surendranagar districts of Gujarat, the Little Rann of Kutch, now declared as a biosphere reserve is a treat for avid bird watchers, photographers, naturalists and travel enthusiasts. An area of 4954 sq. km in the LRK, some uplands called bets in the GRK and the fringe areas of the Rann were declared as Wild Ass Sanctuary in 1973.

inundation from many rivers, the high tides of the Gulf of Kutch and enormous volumes of detritus discharged by several small streams which drained this arid region had contributed significantly in the formation of this saline flat. Spread over an area of 5180 sq kilometers, it is characterized by vast bare mud-flats consisting of the dark silt encrusted with salts.

People A large part of land is unsuitable for survival of human. However the fringe areas are human occupied and people are engaged in various activities such as salt production, agricultural practices, animal husbandry and fishing in or nearby the Rann.

Climate Dry(Semi-arid), tropical monsoon climate is experienced over the year.The area is characterized by brief erratic monsoon, hot summer and cold winter. This region also has the highest evaporation rate in the country.

Geologically the Rann is considered very young. Initially the Rann and Nal Sarovar were shallow inland sea whereas the Saurashtra and Kutch were islands. Earthquakes occurred in the past, due to which major tectonic shifts happened. silt laden The

The communities Darbar Farming and ownership of salt pans Patel Farming and business Bharvad/Rabari Professional cattle breeder Dalits/Shedule Caste Agricultural labourers Kolis

The story of the magical powder Since time immemorial and beyond ages one thing has not changed. Just like air and water, salt constitutes an important part of the food.

Right from the unprivileged who hardly get one meal a day to the richest who has ample choices and doesn’t know from where to start eating, spread across diverse palates, one element that is crucially needed is – Salt.

In the month of September Balwan Singh, along with his wife Sejal Ben and two children set forth to (village-salt pan area) to work in in the salt pans. Like Balwan Singh, nearly 43000 salt workers living in the 108 nearby villages toil hard on the pans.

Fishing is another important activity in the Rann and its

There are two processes of salt manufacturing: one using the subsoil brine and the other using marine brine. Except for the western part of Little Rann of Kutch, most areas use subsoil brine for the salt production. The brine water is lifted manually from the ground which are 20 feet to 30 feet deep. The salt pans are paddled and and tamped to make the bottoms hard.

Then the brine water dispersed from a reservoir is fed into the pans upto a depth of 2 to 3 feet. The brine water is allowed to fill in the pan slowly over time in order to maintain the density of water. The crystallized salt deposits are then broken and raked by special wooden rakes till it is ready for harvest by March or April. After one and a half months the supply of brine water is stopped and bitterns are drained into pits known as farans. The pans are then again recharged.

When the crust is 8 to 12 inches thick then the salt is harvested. The salt is known as Baragara salt. After a period of 6 to 8 months they sell the produce to traders at nearly 15 paise a kilo and leave for their villages.

For centuries Balwan Singh along with many others as well as their ancestors have been the reason behind the taste in our food.

Other activities

Back

adjoining areas.

The area near Surajbari is thriv

Moreover nine mammalian orders with 33 species/subspecies have been reported from the Little Rann of Kutch, including the world’s last population of the khur sub-species of the wild ass.

Animal Kingdom The mixing of tidal water from the Gulf of Kutch with the freshwater discharged from the rivers takes place in the Little Rann of Kutch, making it an important spawning ground for prawns.

45

Aram Garh, Dasada Fatima Manzil, Dasada Rann Rider’s camp, Dasada Desert Courser’s Camp, Zainabad

Great White Pelican

ing

Royal Safari Camp, Bajana

Houbara

with marine and backwater fishes. Prawn fisheries are also found in this region from July to September.

Biodiversity A myriad range of species have home here as the land remains immersed in water for a fraction of the year and braves the sun and heat for another part of the year. Therefore the Sanctuary is endowed with both aquatic and terrestrial biota.

It receives both tidal and freshwater during the year as a result organisms adapted to both inland and coastal waters dwell in this region.

Accomodation: Government guest house, Dhrangadhra

Crested Lark

Birds The Little Rann has strategic location being on the bird migration route and due to its connection with the dynamic Gulf of Kutch. It serves as a rich feeding, breeding, nesting and roosting ground for both wintering and resident bird populations. According to an estimate about 70,000-75,000 birds nests in an area spread over 250 acres.

Chasing the animals via jeep or otherwise is unethical.

Painted Stork Distance Calculator in kilometers: Bajana Dasada & Zainabad 35 30 Viramgram 90 100 Ahmedabad 180 Rajkot 145 267 Bhuj 230

Dhrangadhra 60 130 145 200

Activities:

Spoonbill

Common Crane

Bird Watching, Photography, Watching Salt making process, Camel Cart Safari, Jeep Ride, Horse Riding.

Greater Flamingo Dalmatian Pelican

Lesser Flamingo

The narrative of the information was not clearly understood as one goes on reading. The whole journey of Little Rann felt very static.

Before entering the desert, permission of Divisional Forest Officer, Dhrangadhra or the Range Forest Officer, Bajana must be obtained. Going without permission or an experienced guide is strictly prohibited.

Alternative Exploration

Outside

Inside

46

And here it

47

comes

48

→ Finally the final one!

Two brochures placed together, the upper one gives the front view and the lower one gives the back view.

→ The individual folds in sequence beginning from top left to bottom right.

49

USER STUDY & APPLICATION

The process of unfolding the brochure, glancing and reading at it was said to be interesting. Many were curious to know the reason behind such folds.

Illustrations were appreciated as well. The jury had asked for further look into the content after which some more relevant information was added. Many people had a good recall value of the brochure.

50

PRINTING EXPENSE The brochures will be present at tourist information desks in the office of Gujarat Tourism and Ahmedabad Tourism.

Number of copies to be printed 5000 Method of printing used

4 color conventional Offset

Choice of paper

Fine Hi-White Printing Paper(Coated)

Size of each sheet

27.5� x 40�

Price of each sheet

19.00

Rs. Die making charges (including labour)

1500.00

Die punching (rate is 250 Rs. per 1000 copies)

1250.00

Labour charges for folding (rate is 5 Rs. per copy)

25000.00

Printing cost

9000

Paper cost

15833.00

Total fixed cost

52583.00

Other incidental expenses(10% of the total fixed cost) Total cost 51

Cost per brochure

(

Total Cost Total number of copies

)

2629.00 55212.00 11.00

Every day we grow a little- this project enhanced the whole experience of growing up as a designer. I realised one cannot end up with the best design but one can certainly strive for it. However in the process, one should learn to manage their resources- time being a crucial one. The problem I am addressing as a designer is actually a problem for an entire system. At each threshold there is a stake holder. The problem exists among the people in Little Rann of Kutch but its impact lies on many others as well.

My research taught me how to understand and interpret questionnaires and therefore how to effectively draft one. Since the problem was a part of a system, I also got a chance to interact with people from diverse backgroundseach at some point being a stake holder. From the programme director at CEE to the director of GEER- I had a chance to interact with these people and share their insights. As a designer I know I have a big social responsibility. Design is about dealing with constraints. These constraints came to me in the form of the kind of target audience I would be dealing with, the kind of place Little Rann is, as well as some responsibilities as I am promoting ecotourism. At each stage I needed to plan and validate my design. Learning to grow beyond constraints- is also a big challenge. Explorations of forms and illustration styles were challenging. After days of exhaustive thinking and exploration-I realised that forms do emerge and shape up for the better. This project taught me to push myself beyond what I could have hardly imagined and gain more and more insights. It has enabled me to become a more socially and aesthetically conscious designer.

Of things I learnt & unearthed

52

Acknowledgement Chakradhar Saswade

{

Dr. Tridha Gajjar

He teaches theory and practice of Visual Semiotics and Design Fundamentals at NID. He understood my concern to promote the economically backward sector and encouraged me to take up this cause. He motivated me a lot and helped me spearhead the project.

{

Rupesh Vyas

She teaches Fundamentals of Colour and Composition, Basic and Advanced Graphic Design and Print Production. My guide for this project, she provided me valuable insights on form explorations and connecting it with the overall experience one gets in Little Rann of Kutch. It brought to me fresh challenges as she encouraged me to be experimental and stretch my limits.

{

He heads the Information Technology at NID and also co-ordinates the discipline of Graphic Design. He made me question my target audience and my narrative flow. He made me realise that it is necessary to validate your design.

Tarun Deep Girdher

53

{

He takes courses on Typography, Visual Narratives, Printing Technology, Letter Design, Publication Design, Illustration, Environmental Perception, and Hand Book Binding. His insights on design process and typography and his attention to detail inspires me. Moreover the Editorial Design Workshop conducted by him also helped me realise the necessity of understanding and reflecting upon the content.

The men in Print Lab, IT department, & KMC

{

These guys know the tricks of the trade and will share some with you, provided you are patient enough.

Atul Pandya

Centre for Environment Education(CEE)

Ayubh Shersiya

& people in Little Rann of Kutch

Devji Bhai Dharmecha

{ { {

Programme Director at CEE, he was very keen to share my enthusiasm for the project. He played a crucial role in arranging for the provisions at Little Rann.

Employed at CEE, the trip to Little Rann would be futile had he not been there. From arranging meetings with agariyas, to travelling in the desert, he possibly did whatever he could to help me. He also shared with me his experiences and helped me understand the problems which exist in Little Rann.

A man who has spent his life promoting eco-tourism in Little Rann, shared with me his experience of bridging the gap between tourists and the saltpan workers.

Meena Ben, Shamad Bhai, Heera Ben, Jetha Kaka and the saltpan workersBalwan Singh, Andubha Bhai, Premji Bhai, Harji Bhai.

Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER)

Bharat Bhai Pathak

{

He is Director at GEER. He helped me by allowing access to CEE library and collect data on LRK.

Mehul Joshi and Sneha Dharwadkar 54

Also a Big Thankyou to Ruchita Atalkar Nachiket Gujar Manasi Kajabaje Lovepreet Kaur Virk Jishnuram C. A Anupriya Arvind Akshan Ish Shreya Chakravarty Jasleen Thethi Vallery Manimaran Dhwani Shah Gargee Thakkur Akash Raj Halankar Manav Gupta 55

My family

} }

They both are students of Photography at NID and they came along with me to Kutch and provided me with a lot of useful photographs.

My biggest strength, support and critics here at NID. From providing me valuable advice, suggestions and techniques to being with me in my highs and lows throughout this project and at NID-thankyou!

}

Each one of them popped up at several junctures of my project, criticising, suggesting and sharing good insights.

}

My seniors at NID, who shared with me their projects and provided me useful feedback.

}

They have always stood by me and encouraged me to work harder . They are a source of abundant motivation and happiness in my life.

Reference Books Forests and Environment Department, Government of Gujarat World Heritage Convention: Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch Wild Adventures Little Rann of Kutch Trip Kachch Biosphere Reserve Ecological Study of Wild Ass Sanctuary Comprehensive Study on Biodiversity and Management issues Birds of Kachch Lonely Planet Guide Sikkim Guide Book by Ayesha Sarkar Nalsarovar Project by Akash Raj Halankar Big Book of Brochure Design Websites http://goindia.about.com/od/wildlife/p/Wild-Ass-Sanctuary-Little-Rann-Of-Kutch.htm http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=8169 56