Craft and Design Training

Ankita and Medha's croton leaf lampshade design

For the past 6 weeks, we have had two young students, Ankita Katyal and Medha Shah doing their social sector training in Shradhanjali.
They belong to the Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), based in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The IICD’s main objective is “to synergize traditional knowledge and skills with contemporary needs to evolve methodologies that are relevant to modern India.”
The Institute which has been conceived as a nodal centre for excellence in Craft and Design, has several, programs particularly in Education, Training & Outreach, Research and Documentation and Advisory & Consultancy services.
Further the Institute works in the crafts sector and with craftsmen in an integrated manner.
The IIDC’s mission is to work on the revival of the languishing arts and crafts of Rajasthan and help make them commercially viable.
The four year, (or 8 semesters) program consists of two semesters of foundation, 5 semesters of courses, projects, field study, professional internship and the final semester being a comprehensive professional diploma project. The aim of this program is to prepare students as craft designers to act as a bridge between the artisans and the market.
As part of the IICD’s program, Under Graduates students undertake a training with an NGO during their Semester VI (3rd year).

Ankita and Medha, during their stay in Shradhanjali have undertaken to develop a new range of designs for lampshades.

The result of their research was shown to the merchandising-in-charge of a large chain of stores in India; everyone was very happy with the outcome of Ankita’s and Medha’s research.
Hopefully, orders will follow.

Hand painted Korean-style venetian blinds

We had mentioned in an earlier posting on this blog that Miran, a Korean artist, was trying to create new designs for our range.
She has worked on venetian blinds for our office.
It has now been installed and it looks amazing.
It brings a special peaceful East-Asian atmosphere.
Come and judge by yourselves by visiting us at Shradhanjali or just taking a look at this picture.