August 2024
In Pursuit
In Pursuit is a magazine by Studio Kalakaar that spotlights artisans and their stories. Acting as a bridge between makers and readers, it combines research, opinion, and bold visuals to celebrate the richness and relevance of craft today.
Concept
We set out to create a magazine that breaks away from the conventional mould of craft publications. One of the driving forces behind this was the imbalance we see today: art often receives greater recognition and prestige, while crafts are relegated to the background, seen as lesser forms of creativity.We believe crafts deserve to share the same spotlight as art because they are not just functional creations- they are repositories of history, identity, and resilience. By highlighting crafts through engaging stories, bold design, and thoughtful features, we aim to restore the honour they deserve and inspire a renewed appreciation for their relevance in contemporary culture.
Process
One of our initial steps was to create a mind map that captured what craft means to us and helped establish key parameters to guide the development of the magazine.
For our inaugural issue's theme, we explore its evolution across cultures and through history, while also examining the often-blurred line between art and craft. We chose this theme because it sets us apart from most existing craft publications. While our foundation is rooted in authenticity and tradition, our design and editorial voice are bold and contemporary, made to resonate with a younger audience that may otherwise feel disconnected from conventional craft magazines.
Organised into recurring sections like Features, Stance, Cultural Atlas, Photo Gallery, and Essays, the magazine offers a layered and engaging experience. We also make space for international perspectives by including a feature on a foreign craft—in this issue, a piece on the work of Palestinian women.
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Credits
contributions
As a core contributor to this collaborative project, I was deeply involved in the research, content creation, and editorial development of the entire magazine.
With the exception of one externally sourced piece, all articles were written by our team. While the groundwork, such as conducting interviews with artisans at Dilli Haat and the Delhi Crafts Museum, was carried out as a team, I was solely responsible for transcribing all the interviews and converting them into usable content.
Every article went through my hands for editing, rewriting, and refining to ensure clarity, coherence, and consistency in tone, making my role central to shaping the voice and content of the publication.
Beyond content, I led the editorial review of the entire magazine layout, ensuring that every spread felt cohesive and visually aligned with our theme. When our initial typeface, Balthazar, proved unsuitable for body text, I updated all the final spreads to PT Serif Book. I also meticulously refined text rags and corrected minor alignment issues to bring a polished, professional finish to the final publication. My efforts were key in unifying the magazine’s narrative and design into a seamless, impactful whole.
