The curriculum outline for the Diploma in Craft Entrepreneurship programme is presented below. The curriculum outline presented here tries to cover major aspects of craft, design, information communication technology, management and entrepreneurship disciplines. The following pages contain guidelines on the Relevance of the Programme, Course Objectives, Content, Methodology and Evaluation Criteria to be followed for each of the courses from Semester I to Semester VI. The UPID faculty with the help of subject experts/ visiting faculty will work out specific syllabus or course content in terms of inputs, individual/group tasks and assignments.

SEMESTER I

Course 001 : Design Overview

Weeks: 4

Category: Skill

Relevance:

This course is essential for an understanding the basics of design and its language, as a prerequisite to the understanding of composition and form.

Objectives:

• To give students a broad overview of the different aspects of design.
• To understand the framework of design thinking.
• To familiarize students with the principles of design such as rhythm, balance, proportion, harmony, etc.
• To help the students understand the basics of visual language.

Course Content:

• Introduction to the elements of design.
• Introduction to the process of idea generation.
• Introduction to the basics of visual elements.
• Understanding of dots and lines as articulators of basic shapes.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Short assignments.
• Group discussions.

Course 002 : Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice

Weeks: 5
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course shall provide an introduction to entrepreneurship fundamentals and exposure to best practices in the heritage and creative industries sector.

Objectives:

• To understand creative enterprise in larger industry context.
• To understand problems and possibilities in production and marketing of craft products in the context of entrepreneurship.
• To learn to build entrepreneurial initiatives and opportunities.
• To develop business models of different kinds suitable to range of crafts.

Course Content:

• Introduction to fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
• Nuances of Craft entrepreneurship vis-à-vis other businesses.
• History of craft enterprises in India.
• Global and local best practices with regards to heritage and creative enterprises.
• Analysis of success and failure factors in the crafts sector.

Methodology:

• Lectures and discussions.
• Group presentations.
• Case studies and research.
• Assignments.

Course 003 : Traditional Indian Textiles

Weeks: 4
Category: Theory

Relevance:

Introduction to the rich Indian crafts heritage, and the issues and concerns of the crafts sector will enable a student of crafts design to understand design from the perspective of the crafts sector.

Objectives:

• To develop an understanding of the traditional Indian crafts.
• To understand how diverse regional styles in the use of colour, form, materials and techniques contribute to India’s rich cultural heritage.
• To understand the contribution of the crafts sector to the socio-cultural and economic development of India.
• In the context of the above, to develop an understanding of the crafts sector in Uttar Pradesh.

Course Content:

• Socioeconomic and cultural history of Indian crafts traditions.
• In-depth study of the crafts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Study of materials and techniques used commonly by the crafts sector in Uttar Pradesh.
• Understanding design attributes in craft practice and craft product.

Methodology:

• Lectures, presentations and discussions.
• Self-study.
• Field visits to crafts centres.

Course 004 : Craft Production and Merchandising

Weeks: 5
Category: Theory

Relevance:

The aim of this course shall be to give insights into the process and methods used into traditional and contemporary craft production. The course will also examine various aspects of craft merchandising.

Objectives:

• The students should learn to analyse technical, managerial and commercial aspects of the crafts production.
• To be able to identify issues in new design development.
and product diversification.
• To get an exposure to variety in approaches to quality and standards.
• To develop a flair for creative merchandising of craft products.

Course Content:

• Study of craft genres and analyzing different cultural responses to materials and process.
• Craft production – materials, methods and processes.
• Unique factors in regional craft production.
• Distribution channels and promotional practices for domestic and export market.
• Merchandising and its meaningful applications in the crafts sector.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Field visits and research.
• Assignments.
• Group discussions.

Course 005 : Principles of Management

Weeks: 2
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course enables students to understand the fundamental of management and their relevance in successful design entrepreneurship.

Objectives:

• To understand the basic principles of management.
• To understand the fundamentals of market and business processes.
• To appreciate the market realities and their impact on business practices.
• To understand role of design for the crafts sector.

Course Content:

• Fundamentals of management and marketing.
• Different domains of management.
• Management perspectives on MSME sector.
• Management in context of design entrepreneurship.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Individual assignments.
• Self-study

Course 006 : Design Process

Weeks: 2
Category: Studio

Relevance:

This course gives students an understanding of the process of design. This overview is essential for them to appreciate and apply design thinking in their area of work.

Objectives:

• To understand the methodology of the creative problem- solving process.
• To introduce students to the stages and methods in the design process, from perception of a problem to generating a solution to the problem through investigation, analysis and synthesis.

Course Content:

• The morphology of the problem-solving process.
• Creativity, innovation and design methods.
• Problem statement and design brief.
• Analysis and mapping of the design process.
• Methods and strategies at different stages of the problem solving.
• Design stimulator and case studies.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Individual and group assignments.
• Hands-on explorations
• Discussions and feedback

SEMESTER II

Course 007 : Overview to MSME

Weeks: 4
Category: Research

Relevance:

Understanding unique framework and structures of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the vital role they play in the Indian economy is useful to entrepreneurship training.

Objectives:

• The students understand the ways in which Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are classified.
• To get an overview of enterprises in terms of scale of operation, contribution to economy, reach in the markets, innovation capabilities, and potential for future growth.
• To understand and examine different models for their unique characteristics of each.

Course Content:

• Formal and informal formats of business.
• Role of MSME in national and global economy.
• Feasibility of business models.
• MSME models and the craft sector.
• Craft Enterprises and their potential.
• Banking, finance, statutory and other aspects for craft MSME.

Methodology:

• Lectures and discussions.
• Self-study.
• Group presentations.

Course 008 : Business Economics

Weeks: 1
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course shall deal with both traditional and modern aspects of business economics. The inputs shall give a foundational view of business in global and local contexts.

Objectives:

• To understand people-industry-market-enterprise framework with perspective of economic value creation.
• To learn basic principles and broad concepts of economics.
• To understand economic opportunities with crafts and culture in the modern world.

Course Content:

• Fundamentals of economics.
• Crafts in context of globalisation.
• Microeconomic principles.
• Understanding crafts and craft clusters in light of macro and microeconomics.
• Creative enterprise development and management from economic perspective.

Methodology:

• Lectures.
• Field visits.
• Self-study and research.
• Individual and group assignments.

Course 009 : Human Resources Management

Weeks: 2
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course enables students to understand the fundamental principles of human resource management and their relevance for successful design entrepreneurship.

Objectives:

• To understand the fundamentals of human resource management.
• To understand the ideas and practices relevant to creative human resource.

Course Content:

• Principles of human resource management.
• Organisation Behaviour.
• Value chain creation and management.
• Contemporary HR practices for creative organisations.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Case studies.
• Self-study.
• Individual and group assignments.

Course 010 : Finance & Accounting

Weeks: 3
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course equips students with knowledge and skills of financial planning and basic accounting using computer software.

Objectives:

• To be able to understand different financial models and planning techniques.
• To learn basic accounting systems using computer software.
• To be able to do costing and pricing of craft products and services.

Course Content:

• Introduction to financial management
• Basics of accounting and book keeping.
• Financial planning and strategies.
• Costing and pricing of craft products

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Case studies.
• Self-study.
• Individual and group assignments.

Course 011 : Fundamentals of Marketing

Weeks: 2
Category: Theory

Relevance:

The aim of this subject is to introduce the fundamentals of marketing, its role and practices in modern world.

Objectives:

• To understand principles of marketing.
• To understand various support functions of marketing.
• To understand how marketing as tool could be utilised for the positioning of craft products from different perspectives.

Course Content:

• Introduction to marketing management.
• Understanding segmenting the target audience, and positioning of products.
• Understanding consumer behaviour.
• Successful practices in marketing craft products.
• Contemporary practices and new media marketing

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Individual assignments.
• Self-study

Course 012 : Project-1: Craft Entrepreneurship documentation

Weeks: 9
Category: Project

Relevance:

This course is essential for students to get a first-hand feel of the crafts sector, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and develop an understanding of its role in a given context.

Objectives:

• To understand traditional entrepreneurship in the rich crafts heritage of Uttar Pradesh.
• To understand gamut of activities and the role of entrepreneurship in sustaining and promoting crafts industry.
• To understand the cultural knowledge systems and how they could be assimilated into modern approaches.
• To record data about the crafts and crafts communities in Uttar Pradesh and establish an interaction with them.

Course Content:

• In-depth study and documentation of a particular craft and crafts community with special reference to evolution of the craft, traditional methods of design and production, materials used, market linkages, socio-cultural and economic dynamics influencing the crafts business, etc.
• Collection of data in written and visual form.
• Close interaction with crafts communities.
• Presentation of individual insights in the form of a document.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Field visits.
• Research.
• Documentation.

SEMESTER III

Course 013 : Studies in Society and Culture

Weeks: 1
Category: Theory

Relevance:

This course enables students to appreciate the idea of culture and social structure from an evolutionary perspective.

Objectives:

• To understand the environment, and its interaction with the human beings in relation to development of social structures and their cultural framework.
• To understand means of expression and communication, and development of material culture in the Indian context.

Course Content:

• Historical and modern perspectives on Indian society and culture.
• Material Culture: interaction between man and environment.
• Social structures and evolution of cultural identity.

Methodology :

• Lectures and presentations.
• Group Discussions.
• Museum visits.
• Self-study.

Course 014 : Digital Media and ICT

Weeks: 3
Category: Studio

Relevance:

Good understanding of new technology and communication skills are necessary for the professionals.

Objectives:

• To acquaint the students with relevant software skills and Internet communication tools required for modern business.
• Sensitize the students to the role of digital media in positioning and marketing of craft business.

Course Content:

• Use of basic computer skills.
• Software for word processing, accounting and presentation.
• Software for image development and processing.
• Internet communication tools.

Methodology:

• Demonstrations and presentations.
• Practice Assignments.
• Self-study.
• Group projects.

Course 015 : Design and Innovation

Weeks: 3
Category: Studio

Relevance:

This course is essential for students as design and innovation are the driving force of modern enterprises in knowledge economy.

Objectives:

• To introduce the students to product differentiation approaches.
• Students shall be exposed to design practices and innovation methods.
• To understand how design and innovation could help in experimenting with craft business models and processes.

Course Content:

• Design methods and strategies for value addition.
• Innovation tools and techniques.
• Experiments and explorations for differentiation.
• Innovations in business design.

Methodology:

• Lectures and demonstrations.
• Assignments in 2D and 3D model making.
• Group Discussions.

Course 016 : Business Communication

Weeks: 2
Category: Skill

Relevance:

Communication is the essence of modern enterprises. The basic functions of management cannot be performed well without effective communication.

Objectives:

• To train the students with relevant soft skills and appropriate communication methods.
• Sensitize the students to benefits of good information structure and presentation.

Course Content:

• Introduction to business communication.
• Information flow and feedback mechanisms.
• Written, verbal and non verbal communications.
• Communication within enterprises.
• Communication with external agencies.
• Communication for product development and quality standards.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Practice Assignments.
• Self-study.
• Group projects.

Course 017 : Project II: Craft Business for Domestic Market

Weeks: 10
Category: Project

Relevance:

The project tests the student’s ability to apply acquired skills. This project will help bring together the learning from different courses and apply the same in real life situation.

Objectives:

• To apply the acquired knowledge to understand user needs and plan a craft business aimed at select domestic market.
• To develop proficiency in the use of market research data and understand user needs.
• To develop proficiency in the generation of imaginative business ideas and concepts suitable for the crafts sector.

Course Content:

• Collection and analysis of data on consumer preferences, availability of suitable alternatives, materials and processes, cost of production and marketing models.
• Study of available alternatives in the market.
• Definition of the opportunity area.
• Generation of alternative concepts and the validation of the business plans from the aspects of viability and functional utility.
• Evaluation of alternative concepts generated.
• Finalisation of one concept and development of detailed feasibility report.

Methodology:

• Collection and analysis of data.
• Presentations and Group discussions.
• Development of feasibility report.
• Continuous feedback.

SEMESTER IV

Course 018 : System Design

Weeks: 2
Category: Studio

Relevance:

This course is essential to encourage students to take larger view of a situation and see interconnectedness of the issues and things. This will help the quality of their plans and proposals.

Objectives:

• To introduce students to the idea of system thinking.
• To help students to learn techniques of identifying patterns, constellations and systems in real world.
• To study the function of a system with its components, and appreciate their mutual interdependence.
• To learn techniques of applying systems thinking in solving design problems.

Course Content:

• Introduction of systems thinking.
• Organisation and components of a system.
• Designing a new system or its components.
• Optimisation of a system

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Practical assignments.
• Feedback and Discussions.

Course 019 : Packaging & Branding

Weeks: 2
Category: Studio

Relevance:

Knowledge of packaging and branding is essential to market crafts products successfully.

Objectives:

• To introduce students to the concept of packaging and branding as important marketing tools.
• To introduce students to the art of presenting products in an attractive packaging and creating an attractive brand for a product.
• To educate students on the various aspects of presenting a product - the shape, size and appearance of the packaging, colour and design.
• To educate students in the task of choosing the right media to project the right message to potential customers.
• To train students to track the effectiveness of packaging, e.g. checking to see how many people can recall the advert and its message.

Course Content:

• Concepts of packaging and branding.
• Advertising and Marketing strategies.
• Packaging design. Packaging solutions for a crafts product.
• Visual Merchandising.
• Evaluation of brand strategy.

Methodology:

• Lectures / Presentations
• Group discussions
• Individual and group assignments

Course 020 : Trend Studies

Weeks: 2
Category: Research

Relevance:

Ability to research market trends and consumer tastes is essential for design entrepreneurs.

Objectives:

• To introduce students to the concept of trends and forecast as an important part of business planning and strategy.
• To enable students to understand the importance of socioeconomic trends, cultural developments, technological advances, consumer preferences and such other factors that make up the business environment.

Course Content:

• Theories in market and consumer research.
• Understanding decision making processes of consumer.
• Themes and concepts governing demand and aspirations.
• Trends, forecasts and market leadership strategies.

Methodology:

• Lectures and discussions.
• Research Assignments.
• Feedback and discussions.

Course 021 : Family Business Dynamics

Weeks: 1
Category: Theory

Relevance:

Understanding typical dynamics of family business is useful as a large part of craft enterprise has developed under this structure. The set up has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Objectives:

• To understand components of traditional family run business.
• To understand task strategies and role play organisation in this model.

Course Content:

• History of traditional family business in India with particular reference to the crafts.
• Structure and organisation of family enterprise.
• Family dynamics: strengths and opportunities.
• Analysis and solutions with scenario mapping.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Research assignments.

Course 022 : Intellectual Property Rights

Weeks: 2
Category: Theory

Relevance:

With globalisation the concern for managing the intellectual properly rights of cultural industries has become important. It is important that the craft entrepreneurs understand how to use IP in interest of craftspeople and their enterprise.

Objectives:

• To understand components the intellectual property in crafts.
• To learn strategies to protect and manage it for business advantage.

Course Content:

• Elements of intellectual property in context of community and cultural ideas.
• System and procedures for filling IP and design registration.

Methodology:

• Lectures and presentations.
• Research assignments.

Course 023 : Project III: Craft Business for Export Market

Weeks: 10
Category: Project

Relevance:

The project tests the student’s ability to apply acquired skills. This project will help bring together the learning from different courses and apply the same in real life situation.

Objectives:

• To apply the acquired knowledge to understand user needs and plan a craft business aimed at export market.
• To develop proficiency in the use of market research data and understand user needs.
• To develop proficiency in the generation of imaginative business ideas and concepts suitable for the crafts sector.

Course Content:

• Collection and analysis of data on consumer preferences, availability of suitable alternatives, materials and processes, cost of production and marketing models.
• Study of available alternatives in the market.
• Definition of the opportunity area.
• Generation of alternative concepts and the validation of the business plans from the aspects of viability and functional utility.
• Evaluation of alternative concepts generated.
• Finalisation of one concept and development of detailed feasibility report.

Methodology:

• Collection and analysis of data.
• Presentations and Group discussions.
• Development of feasibility report.
• Continuous feedback.