Craft Product Design - Brijesh Jaiswal

Duration: 12 Weeks (3 Months)
Format: Hybrid (50% Online Theory / 50% In-Studio Practical)
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Final Output: A “Signature Craft Collection” (3 related lifestyle products) and a digital brand story.

Focus: Understanding the “What” and the “Why” of Craft

Week 1: Global & Local Craft History
- Online: Evolution of craft; Industrial Revolution vs. Arts & Crafts movement; Identification of local craft clusters.
- Activity: Researching a traditional craft technique and presenting its modern relevance.
Week 2: Design Thinking for Makers
- Online: Empathy mapping; Identifying user needs for home/lifestyle products; Problem-solving through craft.
- Activity: Developing a “Problem Statement” (e.g., “Designing a sustainable desk organizer for small spaces”).
Week 3: Material Science & Sourcing
- Online: Properties of wood, clay, metal, fiber, and glass; Sustainable harvesting; Understanding “Circular Design.”
- Activity: Creating a digital “Material Library” with sourcing contacts and eco-impact scores.
Week 4: Ideation & Sketching
- Online: 2D sketching; Form vs. Function; Ergonomics in craft (how a handle feels, how a bowl balances).
- Activity: Generating 20 “Thumbnail Sketches” for a lifestyle product.

Focus: Getting hands dirty and mastering the tools

Week 5: Tool Foundations & Safety (In-Studio)
- Studio: Proper use of hand tools (chisels, looms, potting wheels, or soldering irons); Power tool safety; Workshop etiquette.
- Activity: Completing a “Skill-Build” exercise (e.g., creating a perfect dovetail joint or a uniform clay cylinder).
Week 6: Exploratory Prototyping (In-Studio)
- Studio: Low-fidelity prototyping; Working with “proxy” materials like cardboard or wire to test scale.
- Activity: Building a full-scale 3D “mock-up” of the lead design.
Week 7: Intersection of Tech & Craft (Online/Studio)
- Hybrid: Intro to Laser Cutting or 3D Printing as a “Jig” or “Mold” for hand-crafting; Digital templates for traditional patterns.
- Activity: Designing a laser-cut stencil or mold to assist in a hand-crafted finish.
Week 8: Refinement & Finishing Techniques (In-Studio)
- Studio: Surface treatments; Natural dyes, glazing, polishing, or wood-finishing; Strength testing the product.
- Activity: Applying three different finishing techniques to a sample piece.

Focus: Finishing the work and preparing for the market

Week 9: Collection Production (In-Studio)
- Studio: Production of the final 3-piece collection; Focusing on consistency and craftsmanship quality.
- Activity: Executing the final pieces under mentor supervision.
Week 10: Product Photography for Makers (Online/Studio)
- Hybrid: Lighting for textures (wood grain, ceramic glazes); Composition; Mobile photography for Instagram.
- Activity: Conducting a professional “Hero Shot” photoshoot of the finished collection.
Week 11: Pricing, Ethics, and Business (Online)
- Online: Calculating “Maker’s Hours”; Fair-trade principles; Wholesale vs. Retail pricing; Packaging and shipping fragile goods.
- Activity: Drafting a “Retail Price Sheet” for the collection.
Week 12: Digital Storytelling & Exhibition (Online)
- Online: Building a Shopify/Etsy presence; Writing the “Maker’s Story”; Instagram marketing for artisans.
- Activity: Final Showcase: A virtual gallery tour and presentation of the “Collection Story.”

Studio: Access to a specialized workshop (Wood, Ceramic, Textile, or Metal lab).
Digital: Adobe Express or Canva for branding; A high-quality smartphone camera.
Materials: Standard “Starter Kit” including calipers, marking gauges, and safety gear.

Material Fluency: Mastery over at least one primary craft medium.
Design Maturity: Moving from “making objects” to “designing solutions.”
Entrepreneurial Readiness: Knowing how to price, brand, and sell high-end craft products in a digital world.

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