AMEYA PRAMOD
Mr. Shafique Afzal
ameya_p@nid.edu
Avani, an NGO based in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, has been generating employment for 25 years, particularly through textile initiatives. This evolved into Earthcraft, a co operative owned by artisans. This document collates my experiences and learnings from my Graduation project with Avani Earthcraft (23rd June 2024–28th February 2025). Beginning with a study of Kumaon’s geographic and cultural context, it situates Avani and Earthcraft’s ethos, emphasizing community and artisanal practices. I analyzed the brand’s product range, processes, and identity, alongside competitive and market studies, which informed my design brief. The project led to three collections: the first explored handwoven stoles using yarn tie-dye and extra warp/weft weaving (8 stoles, scalable to sarees); the second revisited tie-dye techniques (6 stoles); and the third refurbished old stock using Shibori techniques (6 stoles). Living on campus enabled immersive learning and deeper engagement with the community and craft practices.