New Design Ideas

This study explores the development of a practice-based educational tool - Ceramic Puzzle Design - inspired by the narrative reliefs of Borobudur Temple. As access to the temple's upper levels becomes increasingly restricted to preserve the structure, alternative learning models are essential to ensure sustained engagement with its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The puzzle integrates traditional ceramic craftsmanship with interactive digital components, including QR-coded guides that facilitate the interpretation of key Buddhist philosophical themes. Employing a practice-based research methodology, the project involved material experimentation, visual abstraction of reliefs and iterative prototyping through collaboration with ceramic artisans and designers. The production phase yielded three distinct ceramic puzzle prototypes, each representing a curated narrative sequence from Borobudur's relief panels. A simulation and evaluation framework was also designed to incorporate qualitative observations and thematic analysis to assess user engagement and interpretive understanding. This project demonstrates how hybrid craft-digital approaches can reframe complex religious narratives into accessible educational tools, thereby contributing to heritage preservation and spiritual literacy.