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Empowering Artisans in the Digital Age (Senior Capstone)
Creating pathways for Indian artisans to thrive in the e-commerce era.
Independent Indian artisans, cooperatives, ethical consumers, global e-commerce advocates.
Senior Capstone
To address the growing disconnect between Indian artisans and global consumers by exploring how digital tools, partnerships, and storytelling can support artisans’ transition into e-commerce. The project aimed to propose a scalable, culturally sensitive platform model that prioritizes easy learning of digital literacy and artisan visibility.
My research included primary interviews with artisan-focused founders, a consumer survey on ethical consumption, and competitor analysis of brands like Swara and Artemest. I discovered that while consumers value artisanal goods, access and trust are key barriers. I also studied gaps in tech literacy, logistics, and policy, and used these insights to build a systemic solution.
The final concept offers a collaborative platform prototype supporting artisans through NGO partnerships, tech onboarding, localized warehousing, and emotionally-driven storytelling. It highlighted actionable, scalable solutions that merged cultural preservation with modern commerce. The project validated how systems design can bridge tradition with innovation.