So you have a brilliant idea, a fertile imagination, but you don’t have the resources and support system to create something great. WorkBench Projects, founded by Pavan Kumar, a mechanical engineer, and co-founded by Anupama Prakash, is the answer to your dilemma. Their mission is to spark creativity and innovation among those with engineering and artistic aptitude.
WorkBench Projects is currently a maker space in a garage in Kanakapura Road. The facility has hand/power tools and workbenches for people to explore their creativity and the ‘maker spirit’ in them by pursuing their passions from wood-working to mural making and exploring the basics of electronics and gadgetry. “People from all over the city have been coming to this space. They didn’t mind travelling a long distance to get here,” says the enterprising Anupama, who has an MA in Gallery Studies and Critical Curating from the University of Essex.
Seeing the work the duo has done in the garage, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has sanctioned a prime space in the Ulsoor Metro Station to set up a maker space. “People from all backgrounds will be able to explore their creativity in this space. The facility will be loaded with all tools and machines, from a CNC router, 3D printer, laser etching machine etc,” says Anupama. She adds that along with tools and machines, mentorship will be provided. “We will be facilitators. We will help you understand where you are heading and hook you up with the right people. It doesn’t necessarily have to conclude into something definite, but if there is potential, we will be the accelerators.”
The facility will be formally launched in November this year. As a build-up to the launch, the duo has initiated a fortnightly Maker Weekend, which will be held in collaboration with BMRCL. The first Maker Weekend will be held in the city tomorrow. There will be a panel discussion involving the maker community, a Western Classical music concert by Heart Strings and a four-hour woodworking workshop. “The focus of the panel discussion is to know what other makers are doing. The participants are from a cross-section of demographics. We have a veteran maker, who used to build RC airplanes during his free time. There is another hard-core electronics engineer who has converted his basement into a wonderful studio for making replicas of antique clocks! A lady has her own terrace garden, where she grows vegetables for three to four families. Another participant is a college student. We have a lecturer from an architecture college. He is a maker too. He finds geniuses among his students and encourages them to go beyond architecture. We want to know how he becomes an inspiration. Another participant is a lawyer on patents. He will describe what a patent is and how to validate a piece of work for a patent.”
There is a vast talent pool of innovative and creative people in the country. Anupama says the Indian education system focuses more on knowledge-based learning than on skill-based learning and that is really where the problem lies. There are thousands of graduates every year with freshly-minted degrees, but without any practical knowledge on how to convert ideas into reality. Through their initiative, Anupama and Pavan seek to nudge people into a direction. To create a successful structure, system or product, what is important, Anupama says, is ‘disruptive innovation.’ She says that one must not fear failure. “It’s about making a mistake and leading you to the next great step.”
Maker Weekend at Rangoli Metro Art Centre, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For registration for the wood working workshop, the cost for which is Rs.800, call 9663090123 or mail info@workbenchprojects.com.
