PENERAPAN METODE DESIGN THINKING PADA APLIKASI KOMUNITAS PENGHOBI BATU MULIA NUSANTARA
Authors: Razak Badi 
Published: November 2020

Abstrak – Kegemaran mengoleksi jenis permata dalam negeri atau disebut akik, sebenarnya telah lama membudaya di masyarakat, bahkan sejak era Nusantara. Kearifan leluhur ini dilestarikan, melalui cara mereka menaksir kualitas permatanya. Bagi kalangan penghobi ini, corak bebatuan dapat merepresentasikan simbol-simbol tertentu, yang tafsirnya sarat ajaran animisme (metafisik). Terjadinya fenomena Demam Akik sekaligus menjadi tanda suksesnya pengaruh barat; yang lebih memaknai permata sebagai perhiasan (fisik). Barang yang tadinya dianggap tidak bernilai, kini menjadi komoditi yang melajukan perekonomian nasional. Namun, melonjaknya permintaan pasar ternyata tidak ditunjang dengan meningkatnya wawasan (product knowledge), sehingga beresiko menjadi korban penipuan atau terjadi kesalahan pembelian. Perancangan ini pun bertujuan untuk meraih kembali loyalitas mereka, dengan pertama, memenuhi haknya sebagai konsumen melalui perancangan sarana informasi, interaksi, dan transaksi. Gaya hidup terkini yang menuntut kemudahan dan kecepatan informasi, menjadikan aplikasi sebagai pilihan media perancangan. Pendekatan melalui metode design thinking (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test). Aplikasi yang dinamakan BATARA (akronim dari “batu mulia Nusantara”) akan menjadi forum komunitas maya untuk penghobi permata di seluruh Indonesia. Dengan adanya sistem integrasi ketiga sarana (informasi, interaksi, dan transaksi), penghobi kini mudah mengakses informasi yang akurat dan berdiskusi langsung dengan para ahlinya. Penghobi pun dapat menjalin silaturahmi, bertukar gagasan dan pengalaman, hingga melakukan transaksi bersama anggota lainnya. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan: aplikasi BATARA menjadi media daring yang efektif, sebagai upaya membangkitkan kembali sector industri permata khas Indonesia. 

 Abstract – The hobby of collecting domestic gems or locally called 'akik', has long been a part of the Indonesian culture. This indigenous heritage can be traced from their method of quality assessment. For these hobbyists, the pattern in gems can represent the symbol of the supernatural powers, with its interpretation based on animist (metaphysical). The occurrence of social phenomenon ‘gems rush' in Indonesia, is also a sign that western philosophy, which assesses the quality of gems as a type of jewelry (physical), has affected the public perceptions. This type of gems, that were considered not valuable, now transformed into a national flagship commodity. However, this promising market demand, was not accompanied by consumer education or adequate insight. This market condition makes the hobbyists purchased gems that are not meet their expectations, which in turn, has made them lost interest in collecting more. This study aims to regain the trust of the hobbyists, by first of all, fulfilling his rights as a consumer through the design of information, interaction, and transaction facilities. This research uses design thinking approach through the stages of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The lifestyle in this millennial era, demands the ease and speed of information, making the smartphone application as a choice for this media output. The application is named BATARA and specially designed as a community media for Indonesian gems lovers. With the integration of the application’s three main features (information, interaction, and transaction), today’s hobbyists can gain convenience to access all the accurate information and discuss it directly from the experts. Applications also greatly facilitate the hobbyist to keep connected in group networks, and start discussing new topics with fellow members. They can also use the other main feature to trade their gems collection with members from all regions of the country. Test results from this study concluded that BATARA can be an effective online media, to support the return of the Indonesian gems industry.