From Scribbles to Works: People with Disabilities Avta Mandiri Learn Product Design with ISI Yogyakarta

Sleman, October 18, 2025 - The rows of wooden tables at Sanggar Avta Mandiri in Prambanan, Sleman, transform into a vibrant design classroom. Among piles of pencils, sketch pads and laptops, people with disabilities learn to draw their product ideas, for the first time not with the hands of a craftsman, but with the mind of a designer.

Product Design Training Based on Wood Grafting Machine is part of the series Nusantara Art Innovation Program (PISN) 2025 run by a team of ISI Yogyakarta lecturers and students. The team consisted of Nandang Septian, Silvya Bintang Ayu Candradewi, Amar Leina Chindany, and Amanda Amalia Faustine Gittawati, with the support of students Raheesh Hafid Mahardika, Aditya Alwin Alwaysa, and Ayunda Regina A.

The participants were introduced to the basic concepts of design; from identifying user needs to expressing ideas in visual and digital form.

"We want to change the participants' perspective that design is not just a drawing, but a way of thinking to solve problems," said Silvya, one of the service team members from the Product Design Study Program.

Nandang, the team leader, added that the training was also a medium to build the confidence of Avta Mandiri members.

"They were extremely enthusiastic. As soon as they saw their sketches appear on the digital design screen, their facial expressions immediately changed, full of pride," he says.

From the partner side, Sukamto, Chairperson of Avta Mandiri, sees this activity as not just technical training, but a step towards self-reliance.

"We know how to make our own designs. This is a new thing for us who used to work manually," he said.

Meanwhile, Giyadi, one of the participants, smiled when he saw his work on the computer screen.

"This is the first time I've held a laptop for design. It turned out to be not as difficult as imagined. We want to make more beautiful and different products," he says.

With a blend of academic approach and collaborative spirit, this training demonstrates that art and design can be a real means of empowerment. ISI Yogyakarta is committed to continue assisting Avta Mandiri in realizing wood products that are not only functional, but also have a strong aesthetic value and story.