Project: "Design studio scheme under  Footwear and Leather Development Program(IFLDP)."

Funded by: DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI, 

Knowledge Partner: IDS, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Date: Jan 2023 - June 2024

As Project Team member:  Contributing as a part of the IFLDP (Footwear and Leather Development Program) team member for the Design studio scheme, supported by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI, sees NID as the Project Implementation Unit. Spearheaded by Shri Ashok Mondal, Associate Sr Faculty LAD, alongside Amresh Panigrahi-LAD, Mr Amit Sinha-AD, and Mr Jitendra Singh Rajput-SDM, the project entails a total cost of Rs 100 crores. Aiming to enhance India's footwear and leather sector, pivotal for industrial growth and exports, the scheme focuses on quality and efficiency improvement.  

The Project outcome:

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My Specific Contribution to the Project  

• • My contribution to the project is to conduct a leather-based system study involving 15 MDes students in Lifestyle Accessory Design 2022, 

  • Under the faculty guidance of Mr. Amresh Panigrahi academic endeavour aimed to explore system design opportunities and solutions within India's leather sector case study Chennai.15 students choose the subject across different parts of the leather industry. The project documented the understanding of the role of design in the leather sector, and case studies were created from the students' projects to demonstrate possible solutions. 

  • The Leather project - Blossoming with Design led intervention 

Project: "Design Development of souvenirs for the Lok-Sabha Souvenir Shop in New Parliament."

Funded by: Lok-sabha Secretariat, Parliament of India, New Delhi

Knowledge Partner: IDS, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Date: Jan 2023 - June2024

As Project Head:  As the Project Head for the Design Development of Souvenirs for the Lok-Sabha Souvenir Shop, I spearheaded a team tasked with designing souvenirs that encapsulate the spirit of India’s New Parliament and its constitutional values. Our design process began with an in-depth understanding of the diverse buyer personas—from explorers, school children, and tourists to delegates, dignitaries, and ambassadors. These groups seek souvenirs that serve as both memorable keepsakes and symbolic gestures, reflecting their connection to Parliament and its values.

Our strategy focused on creating thematic product categories inspired by Parliament as People’s Voice, an Architectural Wonder, and a Symbol of Strategic Growth. Products were designed to cater to various budgets, ranging from under Rs. 500 to over Rs. 1500, ensuring accessibility for different consumer groups.

We introduced high-value products using concepts of diversity and convertibility, with modular designs representing Parliament’s unity and diversity. To address tendering challenges and ensure scalability, we employed industrial processes such as laser cutting, sand casting, and digital printing, avoiding handcrafted techniques that posed supply and demand risks.

I led the team in ensuring that the products adhered to international travel and security standards while being environmentally sustainable. Packaging and branding were carefully crafted to communicate the values of the Parliament. The products were classified by purpose—Identity and Symbolism, Event Memorabilia, Professional Status, and Civic Engagement, among others—addressing a range of sentimental and functional needs. Despite the challenges of market competition and cost constraints, the project successfully laid the foundation for meaningful, story-driven souvenirs that reflect the importance of Parliament.

The Project outcome:

1. 45 products in 6 themes 

2. Production of products with vendors in  Ahmedabad, Delhi and Varanasi 

3. project report, product catalogue and production manuals

4. Public presentation 

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My Specific Contribution to the Project  

• • Personally Involved in research ,design and development of the product: Personally involved in field research within parliament, research to generate thematics Designing 45 products in 6 categories, holistic branding and packaging and developing the product within NID workshops and vendors in Ahmedabad.

  • Guiding the product specification to various stakeholders from design selection to production.

    • • • • • • Guided souvenir selection team in Parliament about the pros and cons of the ideas and do informed choices. 

              • Guided purchase and procurement team in Lok Sabha to do the tendering process and help identify the vendors in Ahmedabad and Delhi for the right quality of product procurement.

              • Guided the Ahmedabad vendor for the right quality of production and explained product specifications to counter the losses. 

• Preparation of Production drawing for manufacturing prepared for the Manufacturer and exchange of ideas for mass production and attempt to reduce losses. 

Project: "Capacity Building Design Development workshop in Cane & Bamboo in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh"

Funded by: Department of Textile & Handicrafts, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh

Knowledge Partner: Outreach, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Date: Jan 2022 - Feb 2022

As Project head:  I led the initiative in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, focused on enhancing the Cane and Bamboo craft sector through a capacity-building design development workshop. This project, commissioned by the Department of Textiles and Handicrafts (DTH), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, aimed to strengthen traditional craft practices, diversify product utility, and develop high-value products to ensure sustainability within a Training of Trainers (TOT) model.

The project commenced with a three-day Need Assessment Study, which helped identify the challenges faced by artisans, such as varying levels of receptiveness to new techniques, local weather-related difficulties, and the need for economic sustainability. A twelve-day workshop introduced new product development techniques, focusing on product utility, aesthetics, and material preservation to enhance longevity.

We faced several challenges throughout the workshop, including the artisans' initial resistance and adverse weather conditions. Despite these hurdles, the team successfully demonstrated the benefits of innovative techniques, leading to a gradual shift in artisans' attitudes and encouraging them to experiment with new designs. The heavy rainfall and hilly terrain posed additional logistical challenges, but the team's perseverance ensured the smooth continuation of the workshop and final exhibition.

The project's outcomes were showcased in the "Continuing Genesis Through Design" exhibition, which featured the developed products, tools, and techniques. The project culminated in a comprehensive report and product catalogue, documenting the design process, field insights, and new product ranges. My role involved coordinating these activities, overcoming challenges, and ensuring the project's successful execution and positive impact on the local craft community.

The Project outcome:

1. The team gave a presentation during the ceremony of the exhibition about the insight derived from the field visit and need assessment survey. 

2. An exhibition of the project, "Continuing Genesis Through Design," is planned for the workshop's final day. The exhibition was curated with images from field research, used tools and technology and products developed by artisans in different thematics, such as home decor, office accessories, musical instruments, objects for hospitality, and play objects.

3. The project report is divided into two parts. 

   1. Project report - consists of the methods and approach to the workshop and findings from the field visit, each step design decision and the theme of product development. 

   2. Product Catalogue: consists of Product themes and product images, context shoots of the products and technical drawings of the projects.

   3. Best images from the workshop: images from the workshop coming from field research, team interaction with the artisan during the workshop, artisan while making the product, product shoot and product details.

Project: “Chemical recycling of electronic waste for sustainable livelihood and material consumption in India. Tackling global development challenges through physical science 

Funded by: UKRI through the EPSRC-GCRF scheme

Date: June Oct 2021 to Feb 2023

As Co investigator: 

Amresh Panigrahi (NID ahmedabad /scholar of Design & craft/co-investigator)

Collaboration Partner:

This is a bilateral research effort between research teams at the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee in the UK and the National Institute of Design,Ahmedabad  and IIT BHU Varanasi in India.  

Collaboration of Dept in NID: International program NID & International center for indian craft (ICIC)

Project outcome:

My Specific Contribution to the Project  

Redefining Tradition: Chemical Recycling of E-Waste for Sustainable Craft Practices in India 

by Amresh Panigrahi, Co-Investigator, EPSRC-GCRF NID Ahmedabad

As India marks 10 Years of the Make in India initiative, it’s essential to explore how design for sustainability can intersect with traditional craft practices to foster innovation and economic resilience. The project titled “Chemical Recycling of Electronic Waste for Sustainable Livelihood and Material Consumption in India”, funded by UKRI through the EPSRC-GCRF scheme, does exactly that by tackling global development challenges through scientific and craft-based approaches.

This bilateral effort between research teams at the Universities of Edinburgh, Dundee, and India’s National Institute of Design (NID), along with IIT BHU Varanasi, focuses on how precious metals extracted from e-waste can be recontextualized in traditional craft practices such as Gulabi Meenakari—a centuries-old craft known for intricate enamel work on jewellery from varanasi. By integrating science with heritage craftsmanship, the project not only explores the potential of urban mining but also fosters conscious consumption and sustainable development.

From E-Waste to Artisan’s precious metal (Gold,copper): Transforming Consumption Behaviour towards extracted metal.

Field research was conducted across semi-urban regions of Delhi, Varanasi, and Muzaffarnagar to examine precious metal (gold)-buying behaviours and explore how extracted precious metals from e-waste could align with traditional craft practices and discover the perception of consumers towards it. In Northern India, gold ,copper hold cultural and economic significance, making it crucial to find sustainable ways to supply this demand. By leveraging recycled gold,copper  from electronic waste, artisans can not only meet market needs but also promote responsible sourcing—a practice that resonates with the values of Make in India.

Exploring the possibilities of Reviving Craft with Sustainability: The Case of Gulabi Meenakari

One of the project's key outcomes was to do exploratory  research into Gulabi Meenakari, a traditional craft that uses gold power and delicate enamel work. With increasing material costs and a shortage of high-quality gold, the extracted gold powder from e-waste emerged as a viable alternative. In the future, easy availability of recycled precious metal power for artisans will be a sustainable and affordable way to continue their craft. This not only supports local economies but also preserves India's rich craft heritage by adapting it to modern-day challenges.

Frugal Innovation: Copper Patination and New Consumer Choices

The project also examined the potential of copper patination, where copper, recovered from e-waste, could be used innovatively in craft practices. This aesthetic approach allowed artisans to explore new aesthetic design possibilities, giving traditional products a contemporary twist while remaining cost-effective and sustainable.

Design for Sustainability: Integrating Traditional Craft with Urban Mining

Our contribution to the project involved exploring how urban mining—the recovery of precious metals from electronic waste—can provide an alternative supply chain for India's craft industries. By bridging traditional crafts with modern sustainable practices, the initiative not only enhances craft innovation but also encourages a shift towards conscious consumption. Such efforts are vital for India’s Make in India vision, where the craft sector can thrive in the global market by adopting sustainable methods.

Impact on Future Craft Practices

The project’s findings, encapsulated my researcher and authored in the project book “Brick, Bread, and Biscuit: The Chemical Recycling of Precious Metals from E-Waste for Jewellery Design in India”, offer a strategic roadmap for integrating e-waste recycling into India’s craft sector. As we explore this untapped potential, initiatives like these stand as testaments to the role of design and innovation in uplifting India's artisanal communities.

By leveraging the wealth of materials that urban mining can offer, India can maintain its rich craft traditions while embracing sustainable development. This project exemplifies how Make in India is not just about manufacturing but also about innovating with consciousness, ensuring that our economic growth is rooted in sustainability and tradition.

#MakeInIndia #Sustainability #UrbanMining #EwasteToCraft #DesignForChange

https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153203&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=1