Accessory Design & Craft
Culturally informed, materially intelligent accessories across textiles, leather, jewellery, metals and emerging wearables
Accessory Design & Craft
Culturally informed, materially intelligent accessories across textiles, leather, jewellery, metals and emerging wearables
Accessory Design & Craft
Culturally informed, materially intelligent accessories across textiles, leather, jewellery, metals and emerging wearables
Duration
4-Year Degree - B.Des.
Eligibility Criteria
50% in Class XII
((Any Stream) or equivalent IB / A-Levels
Next Intake
July 2027
Session begins from 17th July 2027
The B.Des. in Accessory Design & Craft Mastery prepares designers to create culturally informed, materially intelligent and commercially relevant accessories across textiles, leather, jewellery, metals, mixed materials and emerging wearable categories, integrating design authorship, craft knowledge, digital tools, responsible production and professional practice. The curriculum is studio-led, apprenticeship-integrated and research-driven: students learn materials through direct making and sustained engagement with experienced makers, while digital tools are positioned as extensions of craft judgement rather than substitutes for material understanding. From Semester 3, students progress from textile, leather and metal foundations to mixed-material integration, smart wearables, specialisation and an independently authored capstone.
Craft Apprenticeship Spine
Digital Design Labs in Service Of Craft
Independent Capstone Collection
Material Studio Sequence
Smart Wearables & Mixed Material Integration
Accessory Designer
Independent Designer Design Entrepreneur
Jewellery Designer
Leather Goods Designer
Textile Accessories Designer
Rita Ashra
Kanika Sharma
Divya Bindra
Ashutosh Deshmukh
Malvika Mahidhar
Sanjana
Mehta
Gavin
Remedios
Malvika Mahidhar
Rohan
Marathe
Janaki
Sonalkar
Jui
Karhadkar
Prathamesh Ambokar
Ashish
Kapoor
Manjit Singh Rajput
Sania
Sheikh
Ashish
Kapoor
Peeyush
Gupta
Ashish
Kumar
Jinal
Sangoi
Kanchi
Malhotra
Purushottam
Sawaran
Kushagra Gautam
Vipul
Mane
Sanjana Nanodkar
Shirali
Tyabji
Dr.
JyotiSaini
Mena Malgaonkar
Antara
Paul
Kanupriya Sharma
Rucha Suryavanshi
Mohit
Bhardwaj
Aashi lath
Assistant Manager - UI/UX Designer
Aastha malhotra
Senior User Experience Designer
Abha mehra
Executive Designer
Akanksha srivastav
UI Designer
Ananya gupta
Executive designer
Aveera juss
Lead Designer - HMI Design
Ayushi jhaveri
Graphic Designer & Social Media Executive
Chiraj rajdeo
Digital Studio Manager
Dhruvi shah
Designer
Ishani kulkarni
Think Design Collaborative
Jena shah
Art Director
Shreya shivakumar
Senior Graphic Designer
Vadanya Shrotriya
Associate Account Manager
Vani chandra
Digital Designer

Our Globally Benchmarked Curriculum

Semester 1

Learning to see, make, and question.
Design Research 1
Use design thinking and visual methods to explore, research, observe patterns, reflect on insights, and craft compelling stories that communicate ideas, inspire action, and create meaningful impact.
Design Studio 1
Design Studio 1 introduces creative exploration through design thinking, observation, research, and storytelling. Students develop problem-solving, visual communication, and reflective practice skills to address real-world challenges.
Drawing Fundamentals 1
Drawing Fundamentals 1 builds core visual skills through observation, sketching, composition, and form. Students explore line, shape, proportion, and perspective to strengthen creative expression and design communication.
Imaging 1
Imaging 1 introduces digital and analog imaging techniques, exploring composition, light, and narrative. Students learn visual storytelling, image editing, and creative expression for design and communication.
Space and Materiality
Space and Materiality explores relationships between form, material, and environment. Students experiment with textures, structures, and spatial design to understand sensory impact, function, and creative possibilities.
History in Context to Objects
History in Context to Objects examines cultural, social, and historical influences on objects. Students analyze artifacts to understand design evolution, material significance, and contextual storytelling.
Skill-Up Elective
Skill-Up Elective offers specialized learning opportunities beyond the core curriculum, enabling students to explore emerging tools, creative practices, and interdisciplinary skills that enhance professional growth.
ATLAS Elective

Semester 2

History, systems, and the sense of time.
Design Research 2
Design Research 2 advances research skills, emphasizing observation, data analysis, and user insights. Students apply design thinking to identify problems, generate solutions, and inform creative strategies.
Design Studio 2
Design Studio 2 builds on creative practice, guiding students to apply research, experimentation, and design thinking in real-world projects, developing problem-solving, collaboration, and visual storytelling skills.
Drawing Fundamentals 2
Drawing Fundamentals 2 deepens observational and technical drawing skills, exploring perspective, proportion, texture, and composition. Students refine visual communication and expressive techniques for creative design solutions.
Imaging 2
Imaging 2 advances digital and analog imaging techniques, focusing on composition, storytelling, and post-processing. Students create visually compelling narratives and enhance design communication through images.
Sustainable System
Sustainable System explores eco-friendly design principles, material choices, and systemic thinking. Students analyze environmental impact, develop sustainable solutions, and integrate responsible practices into design processes.
Time
Time examines its role as a design element, influencing memory, narrative, information flow, and user experience. Students explore temporal dynamics to create meaningful, engaging designs.
Skill-Up Elective
Skill-Up Elective offers specialized learning opportunities beyond the core curriculum, enabling students to explore emerging tools, creative practices, and interdisciplinary skills that enhance professional growth.
ATLAS Elective
Why our Year 1 outpaces every
other design school?
ISDI School of Design
Multidisciplinary Exposure
Offers a Major–Minor Pathway where students combine core specialization with a secondary focus called a minor.
Integrated Design Thinking
Combines design thinking, observation, and research fostering strategic and creative problem-solving.
Holistic, Future-Ready Learning
Includes forward-looking courses like Sustainable System and Time, focusing on environmental impact.
Other Design Schools
Holistic, Future-Ready Learning
Other design schools follow single-track, restricting students to one specialisation throughout the program.
Theory–Practice Gap
Often separates theory and practice, introducing research much later as an
after-thought.
Aesthetic-Centric Focus
Primarily emphasizes form and aesthetics, with limited focus on sustainability or systems thinking.

Semester 3

Textiles - what material teaches makers how to think.
Textiles Material Studio I
Direct work with fibers, looms, dyers and traditional textile practitioners - understanding how fiber content determines behaviour, durability and aesthetics.
Textile Accessories Studio I: Surface, Drape & Identity
Design grounded in how textile accessories complete the body, signal identity, and create perceived luxury through visible craftsmanship.
Digital Design Lab I: Textile CAD in Service of Craft
Pattern-making software, weave simulation and colour visualisation - digital tools positioned as amplifying, not replacing, hand-knowledge.
Dress & Adornment Seminar I: Textiles in Cultural Practice
Textile accessories grounded in history, anthropology and cultural studies - Indian textile traditions, Japanese aesthetics, and diasporic identity.
Apprenticeship & Professional Practice I
Structured mentorship with textile makers, weavers, dyers or contemporary textile artists.
Elective
5 Elective Options

Semester 4

Leather - structure, durability & craft mastery.
Leather Material Studio II
Tanning methods, leather grades and fundamental techniques learned through site visits to tanneries and hands-on practice.
Leather Goods Studio II: Structure, Utility & Wear
Bags, belts, cases and structured accessories designed around stitching precision, refined joints and material mastery.
Digital Design Lab II: Leather Pattern & Production CAD
Cutting patterns, leather-usage calculation, hardware coordination and production-ready specifications.
Adornment & Objects Seminar II: How Leather Goods Carry Meaning
Leather goods as cultural artifacts - trade, empire, craftsmanship, and shifting contemporary values of sustainability and heritage.
Apprenticeship & Professional Practice II
Extended apprenticeship with leather makers, designers, tanneries or leather brands, observing professional production at scale.
Elective
4 Elective Options
Why our Year 2 outpaces every
other design
school?
ISDI School of Design
Narrative-Driven Learning
This year’s curriculum nurtures creative storytelling and visual communication that connects culture, emotion, and message.
Thinking through Making
Subjects strengthen ideation, visualization, and identity design from concept to execution.
Design with Insight
Subjects help students link user understanding with hands-on interface creation and testing.
Other Design Schools
Limited Creative Integration
Often focuses on static design principles, with minimal emphasis on storytelling or cultural narrative development.
Technique over Thought
Prioritizes software proficiency over conceptual thinking and creative strategy.
Sequential, Not Synergistic
Research and digital skills are usually taught in isolation, delaying practical application

Semester 5

Metals & jewelry - precision, permanence & adornment.
Metals Material Studio III: Casting, Forging & Mastery
Casting, forging, sheet metal work and joining, learned directly from experienced metalworkers and goldsmiths.
Jewelry & Adornment Studio III: Identity, Status & Form
Jewelry as cultural practice - marking status, belonging and identity, developed through metal knowledge and visible craftsmanship.
Digital Design Lab III: Jewelry CAD & Visualization
Specialised jewelry CAD (Rhino, Matrix) for precise digital modelling, proportion testing and technical specification.
Adornment & Identity Seminar III: Jewelry as Cultural Practice
Cultural anthropology and identity studies - cultural appropriation, feminist perspectives, and jewelry as resistance.
Apprenticeship & Professional Practice III
Extended apprenticeship with jewelry makers, goldsmiths or metal artists on real projects.
Elective
4 Elective Options

Semester 6

Integration, innovation & contemporary practice.
Mixed Materials & Surface Design Studio IV: Integration & Craft
Sophisticated pieces integrating textile, leather and metal - surface design, embellishment and intelligent material dialogue.
Smart Wearables Design Studio IV: Technology as Material
E-textiles, modular electronics and interaction design - integrating electronic and soft components into coherent, beautiful form.
Additive Manufacturing & Prototyping Lab IV: Strategic Digital Fabrication
3D printing, resin casting and laser cutting used strategically - rapid iteration, mold creation, and forms unsuitable for hand-fabrication.
Luxury & Craftsmanship Seminar V: Contemporary Accessory Practice
Independent brands, heritage houses, and what defines luxury now - ethics, sustainability, and inclusive craft-visible design.
Apprenticeship & Professional Practice IV
Extended professional experience in an accessory brand, design studio, maker collective, or emerging wearables company.
Elective
4 Elective Options
Why our Year 3 outpaces every
other design
school?
ISDI School of Design
Cross-Platform Storytelling
Courses encourage narrative expression across print, digital, and interactive media.
Technology as Design Partner
Courses fuse coding, AR/VR, and data into the creative process.
Experiential Thinking
Courses emphasize creating sensory, spatial, and brand-based experiences that engage audiences emotionally.
Other Design Schools
Medium-Specific Focus
Learning is often confined to one format — print, digital, or motion — limiting experimentation across platforms.
Technology as a Tool
Digital tools are taught for execution, not as part of design thinking or concept development.
Static Presentation Focus
Projects are rarely documented or presented publicly, reducing real-world presentation experience.

Semester 7

Specialisation & independent authorship.
Advanced Studio: Specialisation Deep Dive
Original, sophisticated work in a chosen specialisation - Textile Innovation, Leather Goods, Jewelry & Metalwork, or Mixed Materials - as mentored independent work.
Design Leadership Seminar: Authorship & Voice
Developing distinctive design authorship - articulating a design position and navigating personal vision against professional realities.
Capstone Research & Concept Development
In-depth research into the capstone question, producing a detailed proposal with findings, concept, timeline and budget.
Professional Apprenticeship V
Collaboration with a maker on capstone execution, continued specialisation mentorship, or professional preparation.
Specialisation-Focused Elective
One elective deepening the chosen specialisation, taken alongside the core Semester 7 courses.
Approved Elective Options
Advanced Textile Techniques & Innovation, Sustainable Material Development, Smart Wearables Advanced Topics, Contemporary Metal Practices, or Jewelry & Cultural Practice.

Semester 8

Capstone & independent authorship defense.
Capstone Design Studio
Independent authorship, design, production and documentation of an original accessory work or collection, directed by the student with faculty critique.
Capstone Seminar: Design Thesis & Defense
A comprehensive written thesis articulating design position, material choices, craft knowledge embedded, and significance - prepared for professional defense.
Ethics, Responsibility & Design Practice
Material ethics and sourcing, labour practices, environmental impact, cultural appropriation, and designer responsibility.
Professional Elective
4 Elective Options
Capstone Defence
All capstones are presented to and evaluated by an external expert panel.

Core Track

The curriculum includes a dedicated core track in Smart Hardware & IoT Product Engineering, as well as two shared optional pools in AI-Native and AI-Integrated Product Engineering. These paths enable students to develop technical expertise in hardware design, embedded systems, software development, and applied AI.
Smart Hardware & IoT Product Engineering
The primary, dedicated track focused on physical product engineering, covering electronics, PCB design, embedded intelligence, wireless protocols, and design-for-manufacture.
AI-Native Digital Product Engineering
An optional shared track focusing on software creation using AI coding assistants, cloud backend infrastructure, AI design systems, and product strategy.
AI-Integrated Product Engineering
An optional shared track emphasizing the embedding of AI capabilities into products, covering data quality pipelines, computer vision, AI ethics, and MLOps deployment.

Graduate Pathways

Graduate pathways indicate the specialized profiles that students attain by combining core subjects with certain electives—for example, Hardware-First Engineers, AI-Software Hybrids, or Venture Founders. They train students for a variety of industry professions, including hardware R&D and smart product leadership positions, as well as research and entrepreneurial enterprises.
Hardware-First Smart Product Engineer
The default core pathway producing IoT/embedded product engineers who specialize in bringing connected hardware from circuit design to full field deployment alongside studio design skills.
Technical-Hybrid Engineer (Software & AI Integrated)
A customized pathway for students using shared electives to pair hardware engineering with skills in building companion apps, directing AI software tools, or integrating computer vision.
Honours-with-Research Pathway
A research-focused academic pathway satisfying UGC research credit requirements, preparing students for research labs or advanced postgraduate studies.
Entrepreneurial / Venture-Development Pathway
A startup-focused pathway leveraging capstone projects and venture development coursework to prepare graduates as technical co-founders or startup product leads.
Entrepreneurial / Venture-Development Pathway
A startup-focused pathway leveraging capstone projects and venture development coursework to prepare graduates as technical co-founders or startup product leads.
Why our Year 4 outpaces every
other design
school?
ISDI School of Design
Integrated Professional Skills
Courses teach financial literacy, ethics, management, and entrepreneurship within the curriculum.
Research-Driven Capstone
Courses conduct in-depth research and iterative design to produce user-centered solutions.
Polished Public Presentation
Documentation, Presentation, and Exhibition teach students to professionally showcase work, and communicate their process
Other Design Schools
Skills in Isolation
Professional or business skills are usually taught separately, not embedded in design learning.
Output-Centric Projects
Capstones often focus on final deliverables without structured research or iterative mentorship.
Limited Exposure
Projects are rarely documented or presented publicly, reducing real-world presentation experience.
01
Submit the Application Form
Apply for July 2027 Intake
02
Design Aptitude Test
03
Portfolio
Review
04
Personal Interview
05
Final Selection & Offer Letter
Eligibility
Indian Boards (ISC / CBSE / State Boards)
  • Minimum 50% overall in Class XII
A-Levels (UK)
  • GCSE/IGCSE Examinations of the approved British Examination Bodies,
    with minimum 5 (Five) subjects in A, B, C, D and E grades, including English at
    Ordinary 'O' Level and 2 subjects at Advanced ("A") Level has been equated with
    +2 qualification
International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB Diploma Program
  • 3 HL, 3 SL subjects with a minimum of 24 credit points.
IB Diploma Course (i.e. Certificate) Programme‍
  • 3 HL, 3 SL subjects with a minimum of 24 credit points.
IB career Related Study Programmes
  • Students graduating with 02 DP subjects with
    atleast 01 subject at HL Level and minimum 03 points in each DP subject.
  • Career Related Study (CRS) with at least 03 subjects.
  • IBCP Equivalence for General Strand (Design, Science,
    B. Sc Finance): International Baccalaureate Career
    Related Study (IBCP) qualification with core components
    requirement awarded by International Baccalaureate (IB).
Why Accessory Design & Craft at ISDI x Parsons
Craft-Visible Luxury, Built Through Apprenticeship
Accessories sit at the intersection of identity, culture and commerce, yet most programmes treat them as a footnote to fashion. This programme closes that gap through a broad material arc - textiles, leather and metals - paired with hands-on apprenticeships alongside experienced makers.
The Only Program of Its Kind
ISDI's advantage is integrating multi-category breadth in Years 2-3 with specialisation and independent authorship in Year 4 - credible only because apprenticeships are assessed, supervised and mutually valuable to makers.
Your Mentors Are Also Makers
Learn from practicing designers, strategists, and studio founders - the people who design the world you interact with.
Everything is a Studio Experience
Our classrooms are live labs. You'll ideate, iterate, fail, restart, and refine in spaces designed for doing, not just thinking.
The Future is Cross-Disciplinary
Work alongside designers, technologists, researchers, and entrepreneurs from across ISDI - because good ideas don't exist in silos.

Where concepts meet execution,
in and beyond the classroom.

At ISDI, every project becomes part of a career-ready portfolio. From hands-on labs and design sprints to brand collaborations, internships, hackathons, and industry showcases, you graduate with real-world experience and work that speaks for itself.
Repro House - For CD 3rd Year
Organized for 3rd-year CD students, the Reproscan Printing Press visit offered hands-on exposure to publication design, printing, and finishing processes bridging theory and practice while deepening understanding of the printing industry.
Visit to Swades Village
As part of the Design Research and Ethnographic Study course, Communication Design students from ATLAS SkillTech University collaborated with the Swades Foundation for a two-day immersion in Raigad villages, gaining firsthand insights into rural life, culture, and development initiatives.
Jaipur Immersion
The objective was to take them through the cultural, art and monumental heriatge of Jaipur. We also attended Workshops -Block printing , hand painting, Meenakari, Puppet making (storytelling) Meenakari jewellery. Blue pottery, Lac bangle making, Phad paintings
Workshop on block making
During their Jaipur trip, CD students explored the art of block printing, witnessing artisans carve intricate wooden blocks and trying the craft themselves, mixing colors, aligning patterns, and experiencing the joy of bringing designs to life.
Portfolio Review with Tanu Sinha (Design head Pepsico India)
3rd and 4th year CD students showed their portfolio work to PepsiCo and South Asia, head designer Tanu Sinha. She loved the work and gave them good feedback to improve on them. She was all praise for their maturity, skills and confidence in presenting.
Blue pottery workshop at Jaipur
During their Jaipur visit, CD students met skilled Blue Pottery artisans, learning about the craft’s Persian origins, Jaipur’s role as its hub, and the intricate process from molding to glazing while also understanding the challenges artisans face in preserving this traditional art.
Portfolio presentation to international faculty Amanda from Parsons.
3rd year showcased their brand and semiotics work to Prof Amanda, Parsons The New School and received feedback. She loved their work and gave some very positive feedback.
CD Students at WDCD
What Design Can Do (WDCD) is an international organisation that seeks to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, fair and just society using the power of design. Based in Amsterdam, with hubs in São Paulo, Mexico City, Delhi, Nairobi and Tokyo, WDCD started in 2011 and is initiated, curated and organised by creatives.
Climb K2 - 2 days
Organized by the Art & Design Department of Sophia Polytechnic, Climb K2 is a visual communication seminar that unites art students across Mumbai, featuring industry leaders who inspire through their creative journeys and showcase design’s transformative power.
Yutika Pandurkar - Branding
Rebranding Doy Kids Soap as a trusted, cruelty free, innovative brand for child skincare, combining its legacy offun and safety with modern advancements in natural and organic formulations.
Tanishka Shah - Print & Publication
This project explores pop-up techniques in publication design, using folds, tabs, and 3D mechanisms to enhance reader engagement and create dynamic storytelling experiences.
Varshitha Injeti - Sustainable Packaging
Made from agar-based bioplastic, this flexible, translucent material combines agar, glycerine, and water with natural dyes like turmeric, chili, and beetroot, plus flower petals for decoration air-dried to create a sturdy, biodegradable sheet.
Mayuri Shewale - Biodegradable watch case
Created from groundnut shells. Often considered agricultural waste, groundnut shells have garnered attention for their potential applications across various industries due to their unique chemical composition and properties.
Maize leaf envelope
This innovative packaging for jewellery is made from naturally dried maize leaves. The leaves are removed and dried, then a coating is applied to keep the from leaves from drying out. They are woven together like a mat, and cut tinto shape. They retain stiffness and can be lined with cotton or paper, making a good alternative to bubble wrap envelopes.
Visual narratives
The narrative, “Nostalgia Through the Senses,” follows Aisha as she returns home unannounced after months away. Each sensory cue sight, sound, touch, and smell evokes vivid memories, immersing her in moments from the past.
Siddhi Thakur - Consumer Psychology Tricks
The students were taught various psychology tricks that brands use to increase their revenue, gain more customers and make them loyal. The students then chose a brand of their choice and thoroughly studied the communication to identify the psychological tricks.
Sidharth Girish - Consumer Psychology Tricks
This jewellery packaging is crafted from naturally dried maize leaves, coated for durability, woven into mats, and cut to shape, offering a stiff, sustainable alternative to bubble wrap envelopes.
Janaki Pandit - Sustainable Packagaing - Cereals
This jewellery packaging is crafted from naturally dried maize leaves, coated for durability, woven into mats, and cut to shape, offering a stiff, sustainable alternative to bubble wrap envelopes.

Student Projects in Motion

Where creativity meets momentum

Student Voices: Real Voices from the Program

Hear from our students
I am loving the studio day and am enjoying watching what people are doing across teams
Janhavi Chaudhary
Class of 2023
We have learned so much about the industry. I am so happy to be practicing it now.
Arundhathy Varma
Class of 2025
I love our college, I am so proud of my college and excited for what’s next. I feel prepared thanks to everything my college has done for me.
Anushka Agrawal
Class of 2025
I’ve learned a lot at ISDI. I have had a great support system and thanks to that I have joined a company as a Lead Designer
Ishaan Moirangthem
Class of 2025

Ready to Build a Design Degree
that’s Built for the Real World?

More questions?
Let our AI Assistant answer your queries

Questions? We can read your mind

Yes, ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation offers Communication Design as a specialisation under its 4-year B.Des program. The institute provides:

  • Career guidance and industry exposure
  • Support in portfolio development
  • Assistance in exploring internship and placement opportunities

The communication design curriculum taught at ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation differs from other courses teaching communication design because our curriculum has been designed in collaboration with Parsons School of Design. It helps students with:

  • Visual communication and storytelling
  • Design fundamentals and digital media practices
  • Studio-based and project-led learning
  • Real-world problem-solving through design projects

To apply for Communication Design at ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation, candidates must have:

  • A minimum of 50% in 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board
  • A Design Portfolio or take the Design Aptitude Test
  • Personal Interview

Yes, students at ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation may have opportunities to engage with industry professionals through:

  • Guest lectures and workshops
  • Project-based learning
  • Exposure to real-world design briefs

These interactions help students understand industry expectations and practices.

There are many career prospects one can consider after graduating from Communication Design. The diverse field opens doors to many opportunities, such as:

  • Graphic Designer
  • Content Designer
  • UI Designer
  • Social Media Strategist
  • Visual Designer
  • Digital Interaction Designer
  • Packaging Designer
  • System Engineer
  • Branding specialist
  • Brand & Way Find Designer

Yes, ISDI provides global exposure for its Communication Design Students. We have a curriculum which has been designed in collaboration with Parsons School of Design. The curriculum covers:

  • Global topics, which help students gain knowledge from a wide spectrum
  • It helps students work on challenges which are prevalent in the field
  • It allows students to understand in depth and apply the knowledge with live projects
  • The curriculum integrates disruptive design sense with experiential learning

Yes, the Communication Design program at ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation benefits from collaboration with Parsons School of Design. This ensures:

  • Exposure to global design methodologies
  • Contemporary and relevant curriculum frameworks
  • A balance between conceptual and practical learning