The Art of Customer Collaboration

At Purul Brusc, we believe that the most successful designs emerge from meaningful collaboration with our clients. The relationship between artisan and client is a dance of ideas, preferences, and possibilities that leads to truly personalized creations. In this article, we explore the art of customer collaboration and how it enhances both the creative process and the final result.

Beyond the Brief: Creating Dialogue

Traditional client-designer relationships often begin and end with a brief — a set of requirements and preferences that guide the creative process. While briefs are important starting points, we see them as the beginning of a conversation rather than a rigid blueprint.

Our collaborative approach involves creating an ongoing dialogue that evolves throughout the project. This dialogue allows us to:

• Uncover unstated needs and desires that clients may not have articulated
• Develop a deeper understanding of how clients will interact with and experience our creations
• Establish trust and rapport that enables creative risk-taking
• Educate clients about materials, techniques, and possibilities they might not be aware of

The Collaborative Process in Action

Our collaborative process typically unfolds through several key phases, each designed to deepen the partnership between artisan and client:

1. Discovery and Exploration

The collaborative journey begins with comprehensive discovery sessions where we explore not just functional requirements but emotional and aesthetic aspirations. We ask questions like:

• How do you want to feel when you interact with this piece?
• What stories or memories would you like it to evoke?
• Which existing elements in your space hold special meaning?
• How do you envision the piece evolving over time?

We often use visual exercises, material samples, and inspiration boards to help clients articulate preferences they might struggle to put into words. This phase is about building a shared vocabulary and vision that will guide our work together.

2. Concept Development and Feedback

Rather than disappearing into our studio to emerge with a finished design, we develop concepts iteratively with client input at key stages. We present multiple directions and possibilities, encouraging clients to respond not just intellectually but emotionally.

This phase often includes:

• Sharing preliminary sketches and concept boards
• Creating material and finish samples for tactile feedback
• Building small-scale models or prototypes of key elements
• Using visualization techniques to help clients imagine the final result

The feedback we receive during this phase helps refine the design direction, ensuring it aligns with the client's vision while benefiting from our expertise and perspective.

3. Transparent Creation

Once the design direction is established, we maintain transparency throughout the creation process. Clients are invited to:

• Visit our workshop to see their pieces taking shape
• Receive progress updates with images and explanations
• Provide input on certain decisions that arise during fabrication
• Understand the challenges and solutions that emerge during making

This transparency demystifies the creation process and gives clients a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship invested in their pieces. It also allows for adjustments along the way if needed, ensuring the final result meets expectations.

4. Collaborative Installation and Styling

The collaborative process extends to installation and styling, where we work with clients to ensure our creations integrate perfectly with their spaces. This might involve:

• On-site adjustments to positioning and placement
• Lighting recommendations to highlight the piece's features
• Suggestions for complementary elements that enhance the overall effect
• Education about care and maintenance to preserve the piece's beauty

5. Reflection and Evolution

After installation, we encourage ongoing dialogue about how the piece functions in daily life. This feedback not only helps us refine our approach for future projects but can lead to additional creations that complement the original.

Case Study: A Collaborative Journey

To illustrate our collaborative approach in action, let's explore a recent project for a family in Oxford:

The clients initially approached us for a dining table, describing their need for a "large, durable table for family gatherings." Through our discovery process, we learned that their family had a tradition of Sunday dinners where three generations gathered to share meals and stories.

Our conversations revealed that what they truly wanted wasn't just a functional dining surface, but a meaningful gathering place that would witness their family's evolution over decades. We learned that the grandmother had a collection of hand-embroidered linens that held special significance.

This insight led us to design not just a table, but a complete dining experience: a table with subtle inlaid patterns inspired by the embroidery motifs, complemented by a custom sideboard that included special storage for the heirloom linens, and wall panels that incorporated elements of family photographs and memorabilia.

Throughout the process, the family shared childhood memories, favorite materials, and personal artifacts that informed our design choices. The final installation became not just furniture, but a spatial embodiment of their family story — something that would have been impossible without deep collaboration.

The Benefits of Collaboration

Our collaborative approach yields significant benefits for both our clients and our creative practice:

For Clients:

• True Personalization: Pieces that genuinely reflect their unique story and needs
• Deeper Connection: A stronger emotional bond with their spaces and furnishings
• Expanded Horizons: Exposure to new materials, techniques, and possibilities
• Ownership of Process: Pride in having contributed meaningfully to the creation
• Educational Value: Greater appreciation for craftsmanship and design considerations

For Our Creative Practice:

• Fresh Perspectives: Client input that challenges our assumptions and sparks innovation
• Meaningful Context: Understanding that helps us create more relevant, thoughtful work
• Reduced Revisions: Fewer major changes late in the process due to ongoing alignment
• Relationship Building: Connections that often lead to future collaborations
• Professional Growth: Continuous learning from each unique collaborative process

Navigating Collaborative Challenges

While collaboration brings tremendous value, it also presents certain challenges that require careful navigation:

Balancing Guidance and Receptivity

As designers and craftspeople, we bring expertise and vision to each project. Finding the right balance between guiding clients with our knowledge while remaining genuinely open to their input is a delicate art. We aim to educate without imposing, and listen without abdicating our professional responsibility.

Managing Expectations

Collaborative processes require clear communication about what is possible within material, time, and budget constraints. We strive to inspire clients while maintaining realistic expectations about outcomes. This often involves educating clients about the inherent characteristics and limitations of handcrafted work.

Creating Structured Flexibility

Effective collaboration requires structure to prevent scope creep and ensure projects progress efficiently. We've developed frameworks that allow for creative input at specific decision points while maintaining overall momentum and direction.

Preparing for a Collaborative Experience

For clients considering a collaborative design journey with Purul Brusc or similar artisans, we offer these suggestions for getting the most from the experience:

Collect References and Inspiration

Gather images, objects, or materials that resonate with you, even if you can't articulate exactly why. These reference points provide valuable starting points for discussion.

Reflect on Your Daily Rhythms

Consider how you actually use your spaces day-to-day, not just how you imagine using them. This practical insight helps us create pieces that enhance rather than interrupt your natural patterns.

Identify Both Functional and Emotional Needs

Beyond practical requirements, consider the feelings and experiences you want your space to evoke. These emotional aspects often lead to the most meaningful design decisions.

Be Open to Possibilities

Approach the process with openness to unexpected directions. Sometimes the most satisfying outcomes emerge from paths you hadn't initially considered.

Communicate Your Boundaries

Be clear about non-negotiable aspects like budget constraints, timeframes, or specific requirements. This clarity helps channel creativity in productive directions.

Conclusion: Co-Creation as a Core Value

At Purul Brusc, we see collaboration not as an optional approach but as a fundamental value that defines our practice. The dialogue between maker and client creates a third space where innovative ideas flourish and truly personalized creations emerge.

In an era of mass production and algorithmic design, this human-centered collaborative process stands as a powerful alternative — one that honors both the expertise of the artisan and the lived experience of the client. The results are spaces and objects that tell authentic stories, fulfill genuine needs, and bring lasting joy.