jBatik, software to make Batik

Beautiful batik motifs and geometric patterns can be generated by a mathematical formula. Nancy Margried Panjaitan (32) the inventor, together with  two friends, found batik motif that created by a computer with a software. Using this program, you can use your own batik design results. It’s called, batik fractal.

According to Nancy, fractal itself is a branch of mathematics that focuses on repetition, dimensions, literacy, and fractions. All batik motif must contain these elements. In the end of 2006, Nancy and two friends, Muhammad Lukman and Yun Hariadi, gathering together. They come from the department of architecture and mathematics ITB.

“Lukman, who was doing his thesis,  designing fun flowers on his laptop. I saw it, and that was really funny flowers. In fact, it’s more similar to batik. It turns out that the mathematical pattern able to form a geometric picture  close look at the batik motifs. Then, Yun researching 300 Indonesian batik motifs. As working tool, we need software designed by the programmer friends. So, the software named jBatik, “she said.

The process of batik design is quite difficult and quite long because it combines science, art, and technology. They discuss with the lecturers, programmers, batik experts, batik artisans, until finally believe these findings are valid as a science and can be categorized as art. When the idea of batik fractal blaze, they try to implement it into the batik cloth.

In 2007 the results of their research “Batik Fractal, from Traditional Art to Modern Complexity” also passed the selection to be presented in the event the Committee of 10th Generative Art International Conference in Politecnico, Milan, Italy. Encouraged to realize the present invention, in 2009 under Pixel corporation, Batik Fractal began to commercialize in Indonesia.

“At first only the people closest to us purchased this. Then spread to Australia, Britain, and Switzerland. We are proud to also carry the name of Indonesia. Moreover batik fractal art category are made by the system, namely mathematics,” said the graduate Department of Public Relations, Padjadjaran University of Indonesia.

Because synonymous with mathematics, it is not easy to explain the concept of fractal batik and batik to consumers. Imagination is widespread, whereas limited thinking. But according to Nancy, the presence  of batik fractal should accommodate the batik designer. Usually the first sketch in batik cloth. With jBatik software, just a click away on the computer mouse, they can modify and even create new design motif. The results are more diverse motives, production increases, prices competitive, even more profits.

This batik fractal can also be a batik print. Having finished the design pattern, printed on cloth, has worked with the traditional process with a stamp or canting. The use of candle and the coloring process makes the quality of batik fractal equal with traditional batik. Motives that jBatik produce including Buketan (Pekalongan), Kangkungan (Cirebon), Parang Rusak (Yogyakarta), and Banji, which influenced by the Chinese culture.

The challenge of building batik fractal business initial capital is a relatively low, only about $100 . It’s not easy to make batik fractal Indonesia accepted by society. In order to understand the techniques and traditional batik-making process, Nancy and her friends go around the island of Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan with their own funds.

“On his return from Milan, the three of us would like to introduce the results of this study. We say, we must come to  batik artisan. Spirit of entrepreneurship has not crowded as it is now. Some people were supportive, many were just talking,” said Nancy, which her batik creation were favored the former Minister of Technology  Kusmayanto Kadiman .

The batik society actually happy and want to be helped. Only, they hit about access to technology. Some of them just have a  mere wish, but lazy to learn. The happy moment, many are aware of the benefits of software and consulting jBatik. In addition to passing the training, this software also can be had at affordable prices, ranging from 30 dollars per license (CD fragment). Demand is mostly from personal users entrepreneurial.

“But there is still a bad experience. I was once scolded by a traditional batik skipper when became a speaker at a workshop. They said, we boarded fame Indonesian batik. Assumption of this software will bulldoze traditional batik. It was once scolded by a famous designer because we considered destroying the value of Indonesian batik sublime. Slowly I tried to explain the benefits, “said the woman who acted as the CEO at Pixel Indonesia.

To get the fractal batik products, consumers can buy them through online channels. Motive and model listed on the website www.batikfractal.com. As for the custom made, contact Nancy, the owner. After talks about the design, then manufactured. Each batik need an average processing time, including the design, 3-4 weeks. Fractal Batik different with traditional batik since there boutique brands, and exclusive characteristics. For ready to wear prices range from USD 15-70, and the premium batik (silk fabric) ranging from $100. Productivity is about 50-100 batik in a month.

If you want to try jBatik software, you can access through the website. You can just print and produce them at will. Motif owned Nancy team of about 600 species. If you dilligent to change it, a batik motif could be thousands of variants spread.

In addition to products manufactured in the form of fashion, batik fractal can also arise in interior design, cars, chairs, and homeware. They ever apply batik to the interior of the trains and office buildings. Marketing patterns spread into personal selling and word of mouth promotion. Apart from Jakarta, many customers from the area, such as Surabaya, Pekalongan, Kalimantan, and Medan.

Planning ahead, Nancy plans to stay focused in developing software for the wearer to more and more overseas. In addition, she was designing Batik Goes to School and Goes to Campus movement. She hopes to evoke jBatik creativity advantage, can also produce new entrepreneur . “Young people in Indonesia do not forget batik. Do not just be users, but also have to be actors (batik),” she said.