The primary audience for Diploma in Craft Design shall be majorly from the general populace and the children from the craft communities. Young students now-a-days seek alternative careers for creativity stimulating opportunities. Many of them are willing to explore professional domains beyond the traditional areas of art/ commerce/science or engineering. In addition, there are young people with crafts family background who contemplate joining their family business vis-à-vis exploring other career opportunities. It is essential to understand the way they see problems and possibilities with the craft business and the kind of educational interventions that they require. Proposed diploma shall engage their aspirations and demonstrate a viable way to continue with the traditions. The programme will also help in developing competencies for self-employment. It will give sufficient time, resources and mentoring to the students so as to help them evolve as designers needed for the crafts by the modern economy.

Minimum qualification shall be pass in 12th grade with an aptitude for art, craft and design. Other individuals who could benefit from this programme are practising craftspeople with a pre-specified level of skills and age. If they have completed at least 10th standard they may be allowed to join the programme with the aim to further hone their expertise and enhance business prospects for future.

The 3-year Diploma Programme in Crafts Design will be open to students who have passed Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (HSCE) or equivalent in any discipline and not more than 20 years of age as on 1st August. In order to encourage candidates from practicing craft families there could also be a operating nomination mechanism. Recommendations form renowned experts, reputed institutions and non-government agencies could be accepted for further screening. Later on, as UPID establishes its own network with various crafts clusters, it could independently evolve a mechanism to nominate/invite craftspeople and professionals. At least 20% seats could be reserved for young practicing craftspeople.

Detailed eligibility criteria for admissions shall be laid out by the UPID and shall be reviewed from time to time.

• A balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.
• Classroom lectures / demonstrations.
• Independent learning at the labs / studios / library.
• Presentations.
• Group discussions.
• Peer group learning and collaborative assignments.
• Basic knowledge of design through Foundation programme.
• Visiting faculty from the industry / crafts clusters.
• Continuous one-to-one feedback.

The programme shall try to combine academic rigour with relevant industry practices throughout modules every semester. The content of the programme shall be developed through research in short and long term needs, challenges and opportunities in the industry, markets and society. It shall provide deeper understanding of crafts and build linkages with design, technology, communication and entrepreneurship. The inputs shall encourage the development of analytical and creative abilities of the students.

The courses shall be conducted in block timings as indicated in the programme flow chart. Both in-house as well as visiting faculty will teach different courses. Faculty shall mentor the students regularly. Use of presentations, demonstrations, field visits and participatory learning shall be promoted. Continuous and one-to-one feedback shall help students in improvising their skills and understanding.

Peer group learning shall be encouraged through group assignments and collaborative projects. Simultaneously, nurturing of new and individual ideas shall take place with help of the Outreach Programme and the Incubator. The approach shall help in developing creative and entrepreneurial confidence amongst the students.

The three-year diploma programme in craft design will be spread over six semesters. Each course will be graded through assessment of given assignments . This evaluation should be done by the course teacher. At the end of a semester, each student would be required to make a presentation of his/her work done during the semester before a jury panel. The panel comprising of 3 members will grade the overall performance of the student during the semester.

The jury will ideally comprise of two faculty members of the UPID, one expert from the industry and one expert from any other design institution. The jury will evaluate the students on the following parameters:

• Overall learning achieved during the three years.
• Quality of work done, skills demonstrated and the variety of materials used during the course.
• The methodology followed and quality and originality of explorations.
• Quality of visual presentation.
• Usability of solutions generated for the crafts sector.
• Attitude and aptitude for learning.

Students who successfully complete the three-year programme will be awarded Diploma in Crafts Design by the UPID

Design as a discipline is distinctly different from Science and the Humanities. It calls for a high level of creative skills, perception and an aptitude for problem-solving through a hands-on approach.

The admissions procedure will be designed to appropriately test the applicants for their basic cognitive skills as well as creativity, visualization, perception, elementary knowledge of design fundamentals such as sketching, colour, etc. It will also test the student’s awareness about the crafts sector, the design issues associated with the crafts sector and above all, their aptitude for a career in design.