Apeejay Institute of Design conducts jewellery-making workshop for Foundation students

Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), New Delhi, organised a hands-on jewellery-making workshop titled ‘Exploration of Material’ for students of GDP Foundation Semester I. The workshop aimed to familiarise budding designers with the creative possibilities of diverse materials and help them understand the relationship between material exploration, craftsmanship and design expression.

The session was conducted by Ms Kahkashan, an internationally recognised artist and jewellery maker with extensive experience in traditional crafts and jewellery design. She has been associated with Dastkari Haat Samiti, led by Ms Jaya Jaitly, and has participated in several exhibitions at Dilli Haat and other prominent platforms. Her work also extends to collaborating with NGOs committed to empowering rural women through skill development in traditional embroidery and jewellery making. Through these initiatives, she has contributed to preserving indigenous crafts and traditional craftsmanship.

During the workshop, students were introduced to a variety of materials, including metal, wooden and bone beads, wood and other decorative elements. The session provided them an opportunity to explore how different materials could be combined to create distinctive jewellery pieces. Through live demonstrations and step-by-step practical guidance, Ms Kahkashan familiarised participants with the fundamental techniques involved in jewellery making.

She demonstrated essential processes such as material selection, assembling, joining, locking and interlocking components, along with techniques for creating pendants and other jewellery elements. Students were encouraged to experiment with different combinations of materials, textures, forms and patterns to develop their own designs. This interactive approach allowed them to understand the possibilities and limitations of individual materials while exploring their creative potential.

The workshop placed particular emphasis on learning through experimentation and hands-on engagement. Rather than restricting themselves to conventional design exercises, students were encouraged to approach everyday materials with curiosity and discover innovative ways of transforming them into aesthetically appealing and functional objects. The practical exercises also helped them understand how thoughtful material selection and composition can influence the overall appearance and character of a jewellery piece.

The session offered several important learning outcomes. Students developed a better understanding of the properties and visual characteristics of different materials and their applications in design. It enhanced their awareness of texture, form, colour, composition and material combinations while strengthening their practical skills, craftsmanship and creative problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, the hands-on experience enabled students to connect fundamental design principles with three-dimensional form development and functional design applications. By working directly with different materials, they gained insights into the significance of structure, balance and material compatibility in creating well-conceived design pieces.

The workshop served as an enriching experiential learning opportunity, taking students beyond conventional classroom-based exercises and introducing them to the practical dimensions of design development. It encouraged independent thinking, experimentation and creative exploration, while highlighting how basic materials can be transformed into meaningful design expressions.

Through initiatives such as these, Apeejay Institute of Design continues to provide students with opportunities to engage with practising artists and traditional craftspeople, strengthening their understanding of design as a discipline rooted in creativity, material sensitivity and craftsmanship.