In 1992 SEWA launched ‘Design SEWA’ to enhance and update the craft skills of women thereby increasing their income-generating capabilities and linking them with modern trends and markets.
Design Library:
Initially known as Design library, Design SEWA was conceptualized to give back the artisans their own traditional designs and skills. Today, it aims to refine the skills of contemporary artisans as well as sustain and propagate thriving art and traditions.
Design SEWA offers training and skills upgradation in handicraft designing. It trains women in different techniques like block printing, tie and die, patchwork, aariwork, embroidery, zardosi, crochet, puppetry, etc.
Design SEWA assists in the process of screen printing. The entire work of printing invitation cards, visiting cards, posters, pamphlets and banners for exhibitions and functions that were outsourced are produced in-house.
Diversifying designs to penetrate markets:
It assists in design and product development and offers transfer of existing designs on paper, developing new designs and supplying complete developed samples of designs. Through product diversification, it helps exploration of design alternatives that will attract diversified uses and markets for various products.
Documentation and Archives:
The documentation section of Design SEWA works towards preserving earlier work for future reference The documentation is maintained through photographs, design copies and sample collection of old traditional designs. This serves as a reference for processing future orders and facilitating linkages with foreign and local buyers.