The Indie Design Movement: Why It's Important, and How to Get Involved

What is the indie design movement? Fair question. Basically, it's this: independent designers; artists, crafters, and other designers who make a delectable smorgasbord of unbelievable products ... from scratch.

That's basically it. But indie has come to mean so much more than "independent". It has come to symbolize ideas about originality, fresh concepts, and forward-thinking ideals. For those who consider themselves some part of the indie design movement, it means doing business (or operating business) that isn't associated with a large company. It means supporting artisans who earn their living project-by-project, rather than settling for mass-produced products from a big-box store.

Why does Indie Design Matter?

There was a time in the not-so-distant past that we industrialized creatures had come to think of "handcrafted" as synonymous with "inferior".

Why is that? Generations have thrived upon the love sewn into hand-seamed clothing, enjoyed their wooden toys as much as today's kids enjoy video games (and had to use more imagination in the process), and proudly displayed decor that they or their mothers/grandmothers had labored for months on.

Whatever the reason behind it, it's a slow process to turn the thinking back around. We're finally starting to see that something crafted by hand - while costing a little more because of the labor involved - pays dividends in quality. Handmade products contain fine details that can't be machine-produced. And they tend to have a much longer life-span.

Of course, none of this says anything about why indie design should matter to you. The quality bit is sure to catch most people's eye, because it may cost more now but will save you a ton in the future. The real reason that indie design matters, though, is the individuals behind the work.

We're talking about artists who have developed a talent for a particular process, be it furniture crafting or the creation of gorgeous hand-painted safety eyes for dolls and animals (Chez Michelle at Etsy does just that ... and beautifully).

In short, you're supporting the continuing tradition of art and handcraft. This is honestly more important than it might seem at first. Consider how much knowledge has disappeared over time for no reason other than that people stopped caring about it. Centuries later, we puzzle over the intricate works created by some culture long ago, and wish that we knew how they'd created such masterpieces.

Our arts and crafts are part of our culture, and if we allow them to be lost, we lose something very special.

How Artists Can Get Involved in Indie Design

Believe it or not, you may already be "involved" - even if you've never heard of the word indie before. The moment you decide to start selling your handcrafted products (art, beauty supplies, sewn creations, and all manners of needlework just for starters), and you're not selling it through big-name companies ... you're an indie designer.

There are a lot of organizations out there to help you out. Even more than that are hundreds of fellow indie artists who are some of the most lovely, sharing group of people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Don't be afraid to ask questions - chances are that you'll get a friendly answer.

Some organizations and websites to check out:

*Independent Design and Craft Association - www.indiedesignassociation.com
*Craft Revolution - www.craftrevolution.com
*Craftster Forum - www.craftster.org
*The Croq Zine - www.croqzine.com

How to Support Indie Designers

Honestly, if you haven't yet looked at some of the things being produced by today's indie designers, you might be pleasantly shocked at what you see. Don't expect to find the average craft show fare - though you can find some of that, too, if that's what you're after. Instead, expect to find products that rival brand-names in quality, creativity, and spark.

The Internet is quickly becoming the home of hundreds of indie designers, who happily show off their wares in the digital stalls of places like Etsy. Want a treat for all your senses? Check out these websites:

*Etsy - www.etsy.com
*Modishoppe - www.modishoppe.com
*ShanaLogic - www.shanalogic.com
*Cut + Paste - www.cutxpaste.com