🤣 I’m loving how the same
#creative process emerges with me for handmade kuripes &
#digital products.
For both, I run a Learn > Build > Measure loop.
🤔 Learn: Figure out what I want to do
🛠️ Build: Create a thing that tries to do it
🧪 Measure: See if the thing actually does it
♻️ Loop: Start over with new insights
If you’re not sure what this is, here’s a great article on the topic of rapé (rapeh, hapeh):
https://d3e.co/ya
Here’s a breakdown of my process for this simple kuripe.
*LEARN*
*Design the Value Proposition*
Why do I want to build a kuripe? Mostly, it’s for me to have fun, learn about woodworking, and deepen my connection with rapé as a
#medicine.
But in terms of craft, I want this kuripe to be comfortable to use, durable enough to carry around without breaking, and beautiful enough to delight me when I use it.
*Analyze the Benchmark*
What kinds of kuripe are out there? How do traditional ones compare to modern ones? What are their materials and design?
*Conduct
#UX Testing*
I’ve made kuripes before and sometimes ask folks for feedback. That’s how my sister Ashlah told me to make the holes bigger. And multiple people showed me how to improve the angle between the mouth and nose pieces.
*Adopt Design Principles*
These are my informed hypotheses for how this kuripe can deliver its value proposition. In this case, it’s about big holes and an accessible angle, thick wood around the vents, and allowing the wood’s natural beauty to shine, rather than decorating it with paint or shapes.
*BUILD*
I drew a sketch on paper, got a block of cypress wood from my partner’s land, and
#handmade a kuripe! See the slideshow for more details about that
#process 😃
*MEASURE*
Since this kuripe is for me, I’ll pay attention to how I use it. I’ll measure it along Don Norman’s three levels of experience.
😍 Visceral: How does it feel emotionally?
📏 Behavioral: How well does it perform its function?
🪩 Reflective: How does it align with my values?
Of course, I’ll keep seeking feedback from other people. I want to keep making kuripes and tepis, improving each time.
On my roadmap are:
✌🏼 A kuripe with double nose vent
🐍 Some kuripes carved like snakes
📿 A kuripe that can be worn as a necklace
🤲🏼 Making commission pieces for you!
Would you like me to make you a kuripe or tepi? Do you have a cool idea and just want to see if I can do it? 🤙🏼 DM me!
Thanks for reading! May experience happiness, peace, freedom, & unconditional love 🙏🏼
