The Art of Unpredictability:
Layering Color and Community with Ririsoan
Origins in Print and Community
In Bali’s thriving creative landscape, inspiration is never in short supply. Yet, for a long time, the production side of this artistic energy lagged behind, forcing local collectives to send their work off to Java—to cities like Jakarta and Cirebon—just to see their visions realized. This gap in the local ecosystem is where Ririsoan found its purpose. Co-founded by Ais—a multidisciplinary creator whose practice spans photography, fiction, and journaling—and Gita, an illustrator and art writer, Ririsoan emerged not just as a print studio, but as a crucial missing link for Bali’s creative community. Situated on Jalan Suli in Denpasar, what might be casually known as a local print shop is, in reality, a haven for tactile, experimental artistry.
The Ritual of the Risograph
At the heart of Ririsoan is the Risograph—a machine that demands patience, presence, and an embrace of the unexpected. Unlike standard digital inkjet printing, which blends all colors in a single pass in an attempt to mimic a computer’s sterile hex code, Riso operates closer to the philosophy of screen printing. It is a slow, deliberate build of distinct layers. Yellow is laid down and left to dry; then red; and finally, blue.
This process yields signature colors that are uniquely rich, bright, and vibrantly alive. Furthermore, it is a practice rooted in environmental mindfulness, utilizing soy-based, biodegradable inks that naturally break down over time. But the true beauty of Riso lies in its unpredictability. The slight shifts, misalignments, and the unexpected effects born from layering colors mean that no two prints are exactly alike.
From Studio to Space: The Craft Room Directory
Typically accustomed to collaborating with artists and illustrators to bring fine art prints to life, Ais and Gita recently translated their expertise into a new realm: hospitality. The Craft Hotel entrusted Ririsoan with the production of our new room directory—a deeply exciting project that bridges the gap between functional guest information and pure, tactile artistry. For Ririsoan, the creation of this directory was not merely about the final product, but the wonderfully unpredictable journey of making it. Countless deliberate decisions went into the book’s creation, weaving together the distinct voices of the designer, the copywriter, and the printmaker. It is an artifact meant to be intimately interacted with. When guests open the directory in the quiet stillness of their rooms, the hope is that they feel that raw creative energy. It invites you to pause and wonder: Why this vibrant color? Why this style of photography? Why this textured paper?
A Living Medium
Ultimately, Ais and Gita’s vision extends far beyond a single project. Ririsoan was born out of a desire to give local creatives in Bali another medium to play with, opening up fresh possibilities for exploration. By championing a method that is as deeply textured as it is colorful, they have cultivated a space where the community can experiment, create, and grow together. Through their intricate work on The Craft Hotel’s room directory, that spirit of exploration is quietly passed onto every guest—inviting you to appreciate the unpredictable beauty of the present moment, and the dedicated, slow craft behind it.
Experience the Work
Ririsoan’s vibrant craftsmanship is now part of the living experience at The Craft Hotel, woven into the spaces you move through and the moments you take for yourself. To fully experience their work is not simply to read a directory, but to feel the texture, the rich color, and the community spirit bound within its pages.