By merging local handcrafts and design, the project SEED intends to develop the craftsmen skills by aiming at more utilitarian results, rather than just decorative ones, and to stimulate their creativity and motivate them for future self-initiatives.
The “Memories of São Tomé e Príncipe” project was born within a Design and Social Economy project: SEED 2006. The project, which was financially supported by the Portuguese Cooperation, was developed by the Designer Pedro Alegria in partnership with a local NGO, with the guidance of the manager of the Ossobô EcoSocial component, Patrick de Carvalho.
This project arose as an attempt to insert the San-Tomeans handcrafts in a wider context and amplifying its potentialities and future benefits.
Since the beginning, this four-month project tried to accomplish the established goals: Approach the local handcrafts in order to create innovative products in partnership with the craftsmen; Develop the involved craftsmen' skills and methodologies regarding each workshop; Introduce handcrafts to new applications, showing new perspectives on designing services to increase their monthly income, from which several families depend on; Try to place local handcrafts in broader markets.
The wooden USB, previously unknown to the craftsmen, soon became a symbol of the Project, not only because it blurred the borders between such different worlds, by merging traditional techniques, new technologies, sustainability and Design, but also because it showed the potential of these craftsmen. They were all coming from São Tomé e Príncipe, the second smallest African country, with around 150.000 inhabitants.
The idea of creating wooden USB pens also intends to challenge the traditional concepts of cooperation and social responsibility, by showing companies and other institutions innovative ways of contributing to human development.
In practice, the project essentially consisted of intensive tutoring, based on a general program, for all craftsmen, constantly being adapted to each workshop regarding its needs, wills and response towards the challenges promoted. This program included basic notions of: Innovation and creativity, design project, technical drawing and contemporary art. The acquiring of capacities on technical drawing together with creativity exercises led to the creation of an interesting collection of new products.
However, the ultimate goal of this project is to plant the seeds that will guide the craftsmen to bet on innovation and quality of the product they have to offer.
