Chitrakatha '23

Welcome Kit designed for delegates
for International Student Design Festival

About the Project

Chitrakatha is an international student design festival that celebrates the spirit of storytelling and design. The 9th edition of this prestigious event took place in November 2023, led by Dr. Sekhar Mukherjee. The festival, this year, went all sustainable and, hence, is in coherence with the theme it had attached to it: the "Feminine Universe." The festival, thus, went about representing nourishingness, creativity, and balance.

My Role

Welcome Kit designed for the delegates at the festival. This kit embodied the spirit of sustainability in every way and how this accommodates the theme of the festival, being the Feminine Universe. Every item in the kit was handpicked to reflect themes of ecological consciousness, creativity, and inclusiveness, making it a fitting gift to be extended to the guests attending the festival.

Welcome Kit

PROJECT TYPE

Sustainable Design and Packaging Design

PROJECT DURATION

The welcome kit was thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind, despite budget constraints. Most of the products were crafted from upcycled and low-cost materials, yet the end result was impressive. All the paper used was handmade by us through our own paper-making process, and we block-printed the tote bags ourselves.

The kit included a collection of postcards from all previous Chitrakatha editions, along with block-printed handkerchiefs made by local artisans from Andhra Pradesh. To add a regional touch, we also included packets of the famous Andhra Podi Karam. Every item in the welcome kit was carefully considered and well-researched under the guidance of Sekhar Mukherjee.

8 Weeks

Primary Research

The creation of the welcome kit for the Chitrakatha event in Andhra was a thoughtful process, rooted in an understanding of both the event’s history and the unique needs of its international and national delegates. The research phase began by reviewing previous editions of Chitrakatha, particularly focusing on the merchandise and welcome kits provided in earlier events. This helped identify successful elements that resonated with attendees and offered a foundation for building this year’s kit. Products were selected and designed with a strong emphasis on the delegates’ specific requirements. Since many delegates would be traveling from all over India and abroad with limited luggage allowances, the team prioritized lightweight and practical items. Additionally, the climate and heat of Andhra Pradesh were key considerations, leading to the inclusion of products that could offer comfort and utility in such conditions. The result was a carefully curated welcome kit that not only reflected the spirit of Chitrakatha but also ensured that the international delegates felt welcomed and accommodated during their stay.

Poster Designed by Karin Hauser

For more info visit - chitrakatha.space

1

Research

2

Ideation

3

Mockup/Prototype

4

Final Production

5

Assembly

The primary objective of the user research was to examine India's tailoring industry by observing key stakeholders to determine whether the industry is thriving or declining, understand perceptions of the industry, and explore why users prefer tailored clothing over ready-made options. The research aimed to empathize with both users' and tailors' experiences and frustrations.

Various research methodologies were used to gather and analyze data. The process began with affinity mapping to organize observed patterns and behaviors, followed by creating a user flow chart to identify knowledge gaps. These insights informed the development of a questionnaire.

User Persona

Karen, 35

Job

Designer

Place

Paris

Karen is a designer who loves sustainability and handcraft. She's going for the design festival in India. She has traveled all around the world. She loves lightweight and sustainable travel options. She finds hand-made products meaningful and wants such sustainable practices in her design and everyday life. Her design philosophy is based upon minimalism and fair production.

Frustrations

- Frustrated when she encounters products that don’t align with her values of sustainability, especially in events or kits where she expects environmentally friendly alternatives.
-Struggles to Carry heavy objects or bulky items while traveling, as she prefers to travel light and pack only essential, lightweight items.