Thuja
winner of wisser and innovation challenge 2.0
Ongoing project
Materials : Bamboo, Cotton, wood. Water Hycinth
Approach
community-centric
culturally relevent
ergonomic
This approach not only alleviates daily physical challenges but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership within the community, creating a tangible connection between heritage and practical innovation.
Social impact
Easing Discomfort: Thuja promises to ease pain and reduce stress for female tea estate workers, offering the potential to transform daily routines with improved comfort and renewed energy.
Empowering Local Craftsmanship: By leveraging locally significant, culturally resonant materials, Thuja lays the groundwork for local craftsmen to develop a product by the community, for the community.
Scalable & Sustainable: With materials that have readily available natural replacements, Thuja is designed to be easily replicated and adapted across various regions, paving the way for widespread impact and resilience.
this product is celebration of culture and nature, a sustainable approach to something natural. the bamboo head gear was a result to empowering local artisans, it ment to be made easily by any localite who have the knowledge of material, its ment to be something from the community to the community
PROCESS
Background
1.2 million
Permanent tea workers across India
Tea plantations are one of the world’s most female-dominated agricultural fields.
women make up over 60 % of the workforce in many tea-growing regions!
800,000
workers in Assam alone
70%
of the tea workforce in assam are women
Activity analysis
The Problem
Workers typically carry 20-25 kgs of tea leaves on their heads daily using a plastic rope cushioned by a towel, causing discomfort. Additionally, the traditional jappi(a bamboo hat) often falls off due to wind and movement, though it provides protection from the sun and rain.
Does
Starts her day early—waking as early as 3–6 AM—to complete household tasks by 7:30 AM before heading to the tea gardens at 8. There, she spends the day plucking tea leaves and carrying heavy baskets, earning wages by submitting a minimum of 25 kg twice daily. She takes short breaks in the shade to drink water and has lunch outdoors under the scorching heat. After 5 PM, she works as a servant or maid in bungalows to further supplement her income.
Thinks
Believes that cuts and shoulder pain are simply an inevitable part of leaf plucking—a hardship that becomes normalized over time.
Recognizes that while the work may seem effortless to an onlooker, it requires significant expertise and resilience.
Considers exploring alternative income sources like cattle rearing but feels limited by financial and time constraints.
Understands that access to proper healthcare is essential support amidst daily physical challenges.
Feels
Feels underpaid and financially strained—a constant reminder of the labor’s undervaluation in a daily wage system.
Feels cautiously reassured by improved treatment under government oversight, yet remains burdened by job insecurity.
Feels empowered by the opportunity to support her family, a sentiment deepened by the significant role of women in the sector.
Says
"My shoulder hurts from plucking leaves all day."
"We only earn 1000 per week—men don’t work as leaf pluckers because the income is too low. What can we do about all this?"
"I wish I could have gone to school; almost all of us are illiterate."
"It’s too hot to work here all day."
"After 5, when everyone leaves the plantation, even the workers don’t feel safe because of drunk people roaming around."
concept sheet
Mockups
proper shoulder support from falling backwards. wider strap to accomodate head cushion, simplest ergonomic design with respective to the existing one, a simple solution to ease out the stress by allowing shoulder to take in the load when head is at stress
Process
Mockups
Hinges and rotary mechanisms were tried in bamboo to determine the load bearing capacity and durability.
The first prototype was taken to tea planatation to do user testing.
Mockup Testing
Based on the reviews and feedbacks 2 more iterations were done and tested at the same.
Mockups
mockups were made to test the functionallity of the mechanisms that can be incorporated in the existing jaapiand basket.
The Head cushion is made of cotton and natural foam which can be locally sorced easily.
A few iteration were tried in water hyacinth to see the cushioning capability.
Head Cushion
The project involved extensive collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Organizations such as Tocklai Tea Res. The project involved extensive collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Organizations such as Tocklai Tea Res
Role play
women
for the
in
tea
