Christmastuti Nur, S.Ds., M.Ds., a lecturer in the Product Design Department at the Faculty of Architecture and Design (FAD), Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta, has won 1st place in the Indonesia Fashion and Craft Awards (IFCA) 2024. This year’s competition, themed “Neighbourhood Spirit: Creative Collaboration for a Sustainable Future,” celebrates innovative designs with a focus on sustainability in fashion and crafts. Organized by the Fashion and Craft Industry Empowerment Center (BPIFK) under the Ministry of Industry, the competition serves as a platform for discovering talented young designers with a vision for sustainability.
Christmastuti’s creation, BeriSinar, was awarded first place in the craft category. The award was presented during the Gebyar IKMA 2024 event, themed “Fostering SME Independence through Innovation and Supply Chain Strengthening,” held on November 14, 2024, at Kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta.
BeriSinar is a contemporary eclectic decorative lamp designed to enhance ambient lighting. It is inspired by Peksi Beri, found at the historically significant yet overlooked Manuk Beri site in Kotagede, Yogyakarta.
“The Manuk Beri site symbolizes the fading glory of Kotagede’s silver craftsmanship, which once thrived in the 1990s but has since faced significant challenges. Many artisans have shifted professions due to declining orders, outdated designs, and environmental concerns, including allegations of mercury pollution,” Christmastuti explained.
To address these issues, Christmastuti developed the Jewellery for Home Series, which reimagines Kotagede’s intricate jewelry-making techniques for home decor. BeriSinar incorporates recycled copper wires from discarded electrical cables, crafted using the environmentally friendly filigree technique, avoiding electroplating. To embody the competition’s “Neighbourhood Spirit” theme, she collaborated with local horn artisans in Kotagede, showcasing the unique translucent and marbled black-brown textures of horn material in the lamp’s design.
Christmastuti admitted that her work is not without flaws but views the constructive feedback from judges and renowned designers as invaluable for improvement. “Participating in this competition required continuous learning, staying updated with design trends, and pushing beyond personal limitations,” she shared.
The IFCA 2024 competition drew 725 participants from across Indonesia. Following a rigorous judging process from August to November, Christmastuti emerged as a winner in a highly competitive field.
“God’s grace allowed me to persevere through the many challenges in realizing my design. Meeting judges, esteemed designers, and fellow participants from across the country has been an incredible learning experience,” she said.
Christmastuti hopes her achievement will inspire collaboration opportunities for UKDW’s Product Design program and encourage students to participate in similar prestigious competitions. “I want students to embrace the courage to compete, knowing that the experience itself is invaluable for personal and professional growth,” she concluded. [humasukdw/trans.drr]