All of the articles in this proceedings volume have been presented at the ATLAS International Design Conference 2025 on 20th November 2025 in Mumbai. These articles have been peer reviewed by the members of the Scientific Committee and approved by the Editor-in-Chief, who affirms that this document is...

This research paper aims to bridge the gaps in rural teacher training programme in India, with a focus on enhancing entrepreneurship and skill development. Current frameworks, including DIKSHA and NISHTHA, often fail to meet the diverse needs of rural educators due to centralized content and limited...

The difference in quality of education between urban and rural areas of India often stems from the insufficient integration of the socio-cultural and economic contexts of the latter, leading to inadequate skill development and an unfulfilled promise of opportunities for our rural communities. This research...

Uttarakhand in northern India hosts many crafts; ringaal weaving is key for home decor and daily use goods. Ringaal bamboo weaving sustains many Rudia households in Uttarakhand. Artisans collect a dwarf bamboo across upper, middle, and lower Himalayan belts and the Tarai. Altitude and terrain shape access...

In the intricate tapestry of traditional crafts in rural India, women artisans have long played a pivotal role as torchbearers of cultural heritage and entrepreneurship (Desai, 2020). This case study focuses on Kutch, Gujarat, where craft traditions are deeply embedded in everyday life, and where women...

This study examines the development of a distinctive wood carving craft tradition in Saharanpur through an incubation project aimed at supporting artisans in developing entrepreneurial initiatives. It examines how artisans have adapted and modified their age-old traditional techniques based on evolving...

This research explores the Design Research Methodology (DRM) principles for the study on rural education system to validate how digital technology’s usefulness can improve rural students’ behavioural intention to adopt digital tools, aiming to enrich their educational experience. While digital advancements...

Around the world, family caregivers often step in to fill gaps left by overstretched health systems. Patients and their families leave facilities with the implicit responsibility of ensuring recovery, but lack essential guidance. Noora Health’s Care Companion Program (CCP) trains healthcare staff to...

Financial literacy acts as an important skill that significantly influences economic well-being and stability. Currently, it is a major challenge faced by all countries globally. Financial literacy is the mix of one’s acquaintance, skill, and attitude towards financial matters. It helps to make informed...

Raffughar, a design initiative by NID graduate Wajahat Rather, takes insights from the nature, culture, and heritage of Kashmir to inform contemporary textile design. Known for reinventing traditional Kashmiri silhouettes and motifs, Rather views design as a context-based and teamwork-oriented endeavour...

The emergence of homemade food brands in rural India presents substantial opportunities for inclusive economic growth and women’s empowerment, particularly through family-run and women-led microenterprises. However, these ventures often struggle with limited market visibility, inconsistent brand presentation,...

This paper presents a practice-based design education project that protects, innovates, and popularizes lanjiaxie, a traditional Chinese craft using indigo dye and carved wooden blocks to create decorative fabrics known for their intricate blue and white patterns. Conducted at an international university...

The fundamental premise of this approach is based on the concept that relational principles, both in relation to the natural and social worlds, drive design. In this article, we propose to explore these two aspects. The initial section, ‘creating with… non-humans’, considers the more-than-human perspective...

Traditional illustration, rooted in hand-drawn techniques, continues to play a significant role in contemporary art and design education. This study explores whether the use of conventional media such as pencil, paper, ink, and watercolour nurtures a deeper understanding of visual construction and narrative...

Although fluency in English has become exceedingly important for success in academics and employment, many students, especially from rural and semi-urban regions of India, face potential challenges in English language acquisition. This can be seen from a very tender age because of students’ social and...

Vernacular typography has emerged as a pivotal tool in fostering cultural resilience and empowering rural communities in India (Waghulde, 2020; Chakravorty, 2018). This study examines how region-specific scripts and typographic styles facilitate effective communication, reinforce cultural identity, and...

This study investigates the implications of labor shortages in India’s agricultural sector, with special emphasis on how the out-migration of youth to urban areas affects farm labor supply, wages, crop returns, and profitability. It questions the decline in agricultural labor as it affects farm economics,...

Many traditional Indian art forms and crafts are on the verge of extinction due to a lack of interest among the younger generation of artisans, limited public awareness, and the absence of a strong, profit-driven business model. Artisans often struggle to sustain their crafts because of low sales and...

This study explores a rural scalable business framework, inspired by the work of Padma Shri Beej Mata Rahibai Popere, known for preserving 100+ indigenous seed varieties through a community seedbank, and training rural farmers in traditional farming techniques. Indigenous knowledge like seed saving and...

This paper examines the role of design in nurturing and enhancing rural entrepreneurship with special reference to Sutarwadi village in Maharashtra which is a remarkable model of self-sustained development with the help of Swadesh Foundation. From our observations during the field visit, it became evident...