Design Intervention in traditional Indian handicraft and handloom sector that aims to achieve economic development through inclusiveness of the craft community is faced by challenges that include social and economic considerations that far outweigh creative design inventiveness for their success.
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Branding for Shken.in
Creating identities for craftsmen of Meghalaya
WHAT IS SHKEN?
- Envisioning a holistic craft production system
- Identifying and creating effective linkages in the product lifecycle
WHAT IT IS NOT?
- Not limited to craft skill development
- It is not only about training programs
About shken

A unique project was initiated by the Government of Meghalaya, Directorate of Industries and Commerce (DIC), by engaging the services of the Design faculty at the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati to outline a model of craft design & skill up-gradation for the cane and bamboo craftsmen of their state. These craftsmen are known for their unique basket making skills.
IDC School of design, IIT Bombay was approached for branding.
‘Shken.in’ is a project that was undertaken over the period of 18 months by the IIT Design team comprising of Prof. Avinash Shende, IDC School of Design and Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar of Department of Design, IIT Guwahati and Prof. Mandar Rane of IDC, IIT Bombay.
The project Shken comprises of the team’s contributions in two specific domains viz. Intervention in the novel design and development of a new range of utilitarian bamboo products that were developed by Prof. Shende and Prof. Mokashi after a study of the high market demand for handcraft bamboo products amongst urban consumers. The products were developed to address the challenges of quality and finish, the novelty of use, ease and enhancement of hand production. The designers have introduced moulds, simple, easy to fabricate hand tools, jigs and fixtures to enhance productivity. Logistics of packaging and ease of transport from remote locations has also been addressed.
Prof. Rane has designed and developed a unique brand identity titled ‘Shken’ for these products that include the design of the logo and strategy for the promotion, packaging and social media presence for the brand Shken.
IDC School of design, IIT Bombay was approached for branding.
‘Shken.in’ is a project that was undertaken over the period of 18 months by the IIT Design team comprising of Prof. Avinash Shende, IDC School of Design and Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar of Department of Design, IIT Guwahati and Prof. Mandar Rane of IDC, IIT Bombay.
The project Shken comprises of the team’s contributions in two specific domains viz. Intervention in the novel design and development of a new range of utilitarian bamboo products that were developed by Prof. Shende and Prof. Mokashi after a study of the high market demand for handcraft bamboo products amongst urban consumers. The products were developed to address the challenges of quality and finish, the novelty of use, ease and enhancement of hand production. The designers have introduced moulds, simple, easy to fabricate hand tools, jigs and fixtures to enhance productivity. Logistics of packaging and ease of transport from remote locations has also been addressed.
Prof. Rane has designed and developed a unique brand identity titled ‘Shken’ for these products that include the design of the logo and strategy for the promotion, packaging and social media presence for the brand Shken.
Skhen Roti basket Weaving
Project Team:
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

Dr. Avinash Shende
Faculty Product Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay
Faculty Product Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay

Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar
Faculty Product Design
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati
Faculty Product Design
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati
PACKAGING DESIGN FOR SHKEN

Dr. Purba Joshi
Faculty Product Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay
Faculty Product Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay
IDENTITY DESIGN

Prof. Mandar Rane
Communication Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay
Communication Design
Faculty, IDC, IIT Bombay

Priti Rajwade
Communication Designer
Alumnus, IDC, IIT Bombay
Communication Designer
Alumnus, IDC, IIT Bombay
DESIGN OF DEVANAGARI WORDMARK

Dr. Manohar Desai
Head of the Department
Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune
Head of the Department
Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune