The work of a cobbler

Another one of my masterclass teams conducted a day of filming with various cobblers in Pune. Note this film has no sound because they were narrating it and pointing out sequences themselves.

Broadly, the learnings were as follows:

• They rely on passing footfall and need to be as visible as possible
• Yet they need to watch out for police or trading officials so they can quickly pack up and disappear
• All of their tools are homemade or found
• Any boxes or stands are home made
• Health and safety is non-existent
• Often they provide replacement flip flops while repairing shoes
• The idea of closing shop is fascinating - even while putting away tools they keep an eye out for potential new customers - and things are never completely put away until they absolutely need to be
• Transporting their stall to and from different locations is extremely challenging
• Any design solutions should not simply address their current situation. These people are striving for better lives.

The subjects all agreed to be filmed once they were reassured we were not journalists or trading officials.

The design solutions were fantastic.

Next up will be the hospital ethnography.