Inspired by my 2018 visit to Miraj—known for its rich tradition of Indian instrument-making—I learned that the craft is fading due to a digital gap between artisans and musicians. This project bridges that gap, allowing musicians to easily connect with skilled artisans, order authentic instruments online, and have them delivered to their doorstep.MIRAJ not only helps musicians access quality instruments but also supports artisans in preserving their craft and earning a sustainable income.
My Role: UI/UX Designer (solo)
Time: 3 months
Tools: Figma, Canva, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
Miraj's musical legacy began in the 1800s when weapon-makers Farid and Mohinuddin Saheb repaired a malfunctioning tanpura at a royal music event, shifting their focus to instrument-making. This led to Miraj becoming a hub for handcrafted musical instruments, attracting musicians regionally and globally. Today, over 300 artisans across 50 families produce 100-125 sitars and tanpuras annually, exporting them worldwide. However, the craft is fading due to low income and competition from electronic instruments. Despite increasing international demand, artisans face challenges reaching Indian classical musicians abroad due to the digital divide, limiting access to custom instruments and repairs.
For the MIRAJ project, I followed the Double Diamond Theory to guide the design process, focusing on the key phases of Discovering, Defining, Developing, and Delivering.
I began with research to gain a better understanding of the music instrument industry, the market trends and demographics. Although this project focuses on the buying experience of musicians, in-depth interviews were conducted with both artisans and musicians to get a holistic picture of the industry and identify gaps.
I conducted 10 in-person interviews with artisans and 5 online interviews with Indian classical musicians and teachers to explore Miraj’s musical instrument craft, market, and buyer challenges. The findings revealed that this centuries-old craft is at risk due to declining demand in India, forcing many artisans to seek alternative livelihoods. However, demand is growing in countries like the U.S., Germany, and Japan. Musicians abroad struggle to find and communicate with trusted artisans for custom instruments and secure shipping, highlighting a digital gap between artisans and buyers.
“The demand for our sitar & tanpura is more from abroad. The people there are showing interest in our culture and art because of that our business is becoming popular abroad”
Wahid Shahabuddin Sitarmaker (Artisan)
"Buying sitar from a trusted source from is a challenge.”
Will Marsh (Classical Sitar Musician based in US)
I collected and analyzed all the interview data using various design methods, including user journey mapping, SWOT analysis, user personas, and empathy mapping. These methods allowed me to identify key gaps in the current experience and gain a comprehensive understanding of the users’ needs, challenges, and goals.
Based on the insights from the interview, I created a journey map to visualize the buying experience of musicians and music teachers, highlighting key pain points and opportunities for improvement in connecting artisans and buyers.
The SWOT analysis helped assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, providing a strategic foundation for the project.
Creating user personas enabled me to capture the specific needs and motivations of different stakeholders.
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Empathy map provided deeper insights into their emotional and psychological experiences.
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Building on the insights from the data synthesis, I brainstormed potential solutions and translated them into actionable design concepts. I created a detailed site map to structure the platform ensuring an intuitive flow of information and user interactions. I then developed user flows to visualize the paths users would take to achieve their goals. To bring these ideas to life, I created low-fidelity wireframes to explore and iterate on the core concepts.
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The next step for the MIRAJ project is iterative testing and refinement of prototypes through usability testing. Feedback will guide improvements in functionality, usability, and visual design before handing it off to developers with design specifications, assets, and user flow documentation for accurate implementation.
As a solo endeavor, MIRAJ aims to support artisans in Miraj by streamlining their crafting process and connecting them with musicians. The platform simplifies ordering and communication, allowing artisans to focus on their craft. Though not yet released, the project has laid a strong foundation for enhancing artisans’ livelihoods and global accessibility to their work. This experience has been invaluable, and I’m excited for its future impact.
