Craft Cluster Initiative
Craft Cluster Initiative
The Craft Cluster Initiative connects NIFT's students and faculty with India's diverse craft communities through sustained academic engagement with identified craft clusters. The initiative aims to build platforms for knowledge sharing, strengthen design expertise and develop collaborative learning between students, faculty and craftspeople. Through research, documentation, design projects and craft-related activities, students engage with regional sensibilities, resources, environments and the realities of the craft sector while applying their disciplinary knowledge to contemporary contexts.
Craft Research & Documentation
Craft Research & Documentation
Craft Research and Documentation is a mandatory activity undertaken by students of the Design, Management and Technology departments. Students visit identified craft clusters to understand the realities of the craft sector and gain insights into regional sensibilities, diversities, resources and environments. The activity combines field study, secondary research and documentation, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of craft practices and the communities associated with them.
Crafts-based Design Projects
Crafts-based Design Projects
Crafts-Based Design Projects build on students' engagement with identified craft clusters through collaborative work with artisans and craftspeople. The projects focus on design innovation, product development, co-design, diversification and quality, enabling students to work with existing craft skills and explore their contemporary applications. Through these projects, students contribute disciplinary knowledge while engaging in collaborative learning with craft communities.
Craft Demonstration, Artisan Awareness Workshop & Craft Bazaar
Craft-related activities provide opportunities for direct knowledge exchange between students, faculty, artisans and craftspeople. Craft demonstrations enable artisans to share traditional skills, materials and techniques, while Artisan Awareness Workshops facilitate discussions around craft practices, trends and market demands. Craft Bazaars create a platform connecting weavers and artisans with markets and promoting Indian weaves, textiles and crafts. These activities are consolidated as a yearly campus-level engagement to strengthen their collective impact and encourage peer learning among stakeholders.
Craft Demonstration
Artisans and craftspeople share traditional skills, materials and techniques with students.
Artisan Awareness Workshop
Students, faculty and craftspeople engage in knowledge sharing around craft practices, trends and market demands.
Craft Bazaar
A platform connecting weavers and artisans with markets and promoting Indian weaves, textiles and crafts.
NIFT & Craft Communities
The Craft Cluster Initiative creates opportunities for students, faculty and craft communities to learn from one another, strengthening networks for collaborative learning and contributing to the continued engagement of NIFT with India's diverse craft traditions.
