How might we design systems that not only preserve traditional crafts but also empower artisan communities to thrive in changing economic landscapes?
The Sanjhaa Project
This project focused on providing sustainable livelihoods for artisans, particularly women, during the challenging times of the pandemic. I co-designed a diverse product range, managing everything from material sourcing to engaging with artisans and product sampling. Additionally, developed a sustainable system that connects three artisan communities—potters, crochet artisans, and bead workers from Kurukshetra—to foster collaboration and innovation. This initiative represents a step towards building a more sustainable and resilient community.
Role: Researcher and Designer
Sponsor: National Design Business Incubator, Ahmedabad, India
Mentor: Ms. Neelima Hasija
Duration: June 2020- July 2022
Keywords: Community Empowerment, Participatory Research, Cultural Preservation, Collaborative Innovation, Sustainable Design
Challenge: The COVID-19 pandemic critically disrupted artisans' livelihoods by halting markets and production, impacting especially the artisan communities in Kurukshetra, Haryana, who rely heavily on traditional craft for their income.
Context/Research Methodology: Initiated amid the global crisis, this project engaged directly with the potter, crochet, and bead worker communities, who possess unique and valuable skills. Through a mix of ethnographic research, structured interviews, and collaborative workshops, we gained deep insights into the artisans' immediate challenges and their resilience strategies.
Insight/Idea: Research revealed a pressing need for a business model that could withstand economic disruptions while fostering artisan independence and innovation. Focused on sustainable practices, the project targeted the integration of diverse craft techniques to create new product lines that hold great potential in the market.
Solution/Intervention: We designed the intervention as a sustainable business model that involved creating a gender-neutral jewelry line that merged the distinctive crafts of potters, crochet artisans, and bead workers. This model promotes skill sharing and cross-craft collaboration, broadening market reach and enhancing product appeal.
Implementation/Impact: This model resulted in a collaborative production system that revitalized traditional crafts and provided the artisans with stable, diversified income sources. The tangible output was a unique, co-designed jewelry collection that appealed to contemporary markets. The intangible impact included empowering artisan communities through enhanced skills and a sustainable collaboration framework.
Featured Products
Featured Products
The project features a gender-neutral jewelry line that combines the unique skills of potters, crochet artisans, and bead workers. Each piece, from beaded necklaces to pottery and crochet earrings, blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, appealing to modern tastes while supporting artisan sustainability. This fusion of old and new elevates both the aesthetic appeal and the market relevance of the collection.
Working with the community
My experience with the artisan communities of Kurukshetra was a profound journey of connection and cultural immersion. Daily, I joined the artisans, helping them in their day-to-day lives, engaging deeply with their traditional crafts and participating in their cultural and artistic practices. These interactions, filled with shared stories and laughter, went beyond mere skill learning; they shaped my design philosophy rooted in empathy and mutual respect, genuinely living and creating with the community.
