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Design Research and Product Development
Avinya : Catalyzing Cultural Innovation in India's Art Education
User Testimonials
Student, MFA Painting
“Avinya's industry mentorship and exposure open exciting new avenues where my heritage art could integrate with modern markets.”
Student, MFA Sculpture
“As an aspiring artist, Avinya's program is truly empowering.”
Faculty, Public Art University
“The corporate studio partnership will provide our students with unmatched practical exposure and opportunities”
My Role
Solo Researcher and Strategist
Methods
Stakeholder interviews, contextual research, persona development, competitive landscape mapping, service design
Audience
Research conducted across public art institutions in India
THE PROBLEM
India's public art schools were established in 1839 under British rule to serve colonial trade interests. Nearly 200 years later, their curriculum, facilities, and structure remain largely unchanged, producing technically skilled artists with almost no pathway to professional practice or market relevance. Students graduate with deep craft knowledge and no idea how to build a career from it.
RESEARCH LANDSCAPE
Source: Sir J.J. School of Art (1857) archives. Craft workshops and sculpture studio.
1839
First formal art institute established in Calcutta, India- British trade center.
5 schools
By 1875, 4 art schools were established at Indian trade centers, all currently run by respective governments.
WHO'S AFFCTED
TARA, THE SCULPTOR
“I feel proud to attend a school with such a rich cultural heritage, but wish the facilities matched its legacy.”
ARUSH, THE ARTREPRENEUR
“I gained expertise in niche traditional techniques but need guidance localizing them to current sensibilities and bringing products to market.”
MR. SHARMA, THE KALA GURU
“When burdened by the weight of societal obligations, students often find their innovative edge dulled and their creativity stifled.”
WHAT RESEARCH REVEALED
Four systemic gaps emerged across all stakeholders: insufficient skilled faculty, chronic underfunding that prevents reform, a complete absence of career guidance, and facilities and curriculum that haven't evolved in decades. None of these can be solved in isolation, they require a structural intervention, not a band-aid.
Insufficient skilled faculty.
Budgetary limitations impeding reforms.
Absence of career guidance and support.
Enhanced facilities and curriculum.
THE SOLUTION: AVINYA
Avinya is a cultural innovation centre designed to operate as an embedded, intrinsic component of existing art institutions, not a replacement for them. It works in-person, supported by an online platform, and is governed by a small decision-making team that works alongside the school rather than above it.
BRANCHES OF AVINYA
PHASE I - ONLINE PLATFORM
Avinya launches digitally, with tiered offerings designed for two audiences. Individual students and artists get access to mentorship, career guidance, and industry connections at their own pace. Schools get institutional tools, a dedicated webspace to host students, manage projects, and connect with corporate partners. Starting online keeps entry costs low and allows Avinya to prove its model before committing to physical infrastructure.
PHASE II - CAMPUS INTERVENTION
Once the model is validated, Avinya establishes a physical presence on campus. This includes dedicated studio space for incubated projects and exhibition and retail spaces where students can show and sell work to real audiences. This is the critical bridge that's been missing — a place where traditional craft skill meets contemporary market access, right inside the institution where the skill was built.
Avinya Center of Innovation Proposal
Avinya Center of Innovation Proposal: Embedding Exhibition/ Retail Space
Avinya Center of Innovation Proposal: Studio Space
2 year goal for Avinya
3
Incubators
Goal to incubate per school in the first year of launch.
15
Industry-partnered projects
Goal for the first year of launch per school.
6
Mentor team
Build 3 mentor team representing Avinya
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