Alankrita — August 2025 Diary

In August the Alankrita student team moved design into action. First, students sketched new products. They designed small bags, earrings, pendants, and accessory sets. Each design followed the moodboard and regional palettes from July. The team also listed materials and estimated production time for every sketch.

Next, the artisan prepared sample lists. The students prioritized five bag samples and eight jewellery samples. Then the artisan began work once materials arrived. The team added clear photo plans for each sample. Photo briefs list shot types, props, and moodboard backgrounds. A short photo checklist helps keep images consistent.

At the same time the students built social content. They wrote short post copy and captions. They planned teaser posts, reveals, and short video ideas. Then they created a two-month content calendar. The calendar sets dates, post types, captions, and who prepares each asset. It also marks promotion windows and test slots.

The team ran a set of test posts to measure interest. They tracked likes, comments, saves, and clicks. Early results showed which palettes and product types got the best response. Therefore the team will refine designs and captions based on this data.

Deliverables completed in August: product sketches, material lists, sample priorities, photo briefs, and a two-month content calendar. The students also produced a short social test report with initial engagement numbers.

Next steps are practical and clear. Produce the first samples and photograph them using the moodboard rules. Publish the planned posts and measure response daily. Improve designs and copy using real feedback. Finally, prepare a small production run for best-performing items.

Alankrita — July 2025 Diary

In July the Alankrita project reached a new phase of growth and practical work. Two student members, Tanish and Pragya, left the team and were replaced by two new students from Filix Academy, Purulia — Dipendu and Jayanta. The remaining students, working together with the new members, focused on turning the learning from earlier months into hands-on activity. With collaborative support from Padatik and Cheenta, Alankrita secured a small rented workspace in Halisahar to serve as the project’s artisan hub. This physical space gives the team a regular place to make samples, store props and materials, run small training sessions, and centralize day-to-day operations.

One local artisan was hired in July and immediately began working with the students. The artisan’s role is twofold: to produce sample pieces that reflect the brand’s craft standards, and to mentor students in practical techniques and quality checks. Having an artisan on site shortened the feedback loop between design and production: students could test ideas, watch the craft process in person, and iterate on small batches rather than only planning on paper.

A major focus for the month was the start of aesthetics analytics. The students began a structured study of visual elements that affect product appeal — primarily colour science (hue, saturation, contrast, temperature), pattern and motif recognition, and links between materials and regional art forms. They collected reference images and physical swatches, documented how different crafts use colour and pattern, and created initial palette sets tied to India’s regions. Early palette examples (recorded as starting points) include softer Bengal pastels for embroidered items, bright and saturated Rajasthani tones for folk-inspired pieces, deep temple colours for select South Indian motifs, and muted Himalayan tones for regionally influenced collections. These regional notes are treated as guidance rather than rules: the team is careful to test palettes physically so colours on material match the digital swatches.

Work in July also produced practical outputs that integrate research with operations. The students assembled an aesthetics folder containing reference images, palette swatches, short notes on motif usage, and suggested prop/background pairings for photography. They updated the product brief and photo checklist to include a palette assignment field, and added a simple tag in the filename convention to record the assigned region and palette for each sample image. The artisan and students began using a daily handover log and a short QC checklist to note color-matching issues, finish quality, and any material substitutions — all intended to keep the sample production consistent and traceable.

Alankrita — June Diary

In June the Alankrita student team built a clear visual and process direction for the brand. The Alankrita June 2025 moodboard and branding work started with a moodboard that shows the logo, warm neutral colours with bright accents, and many product photos — embroidered jhumkas, hand-painted earrings, clay bangles, hair clips and small jewellery sets. The moodboard sets the photo style. It also guides packaging and listing updates. As a result, team tasks are easier and product presentation is more consistent.

Moodboard & visual rules

The moodboard collects logo variations, colour swatches, textures and sample photos. It recommends three photo styles: close-ups, flat-lays and simple lifestyle shots. The team chose props such as plain linen, kraft paper and dried flowers. These choices make the bright, handmade details stand out on neutral backgrounds. The moodboard also defines the small accent colours to use in captions and layouts.

Brand guide & logo files

Using the moodboard the students produced a short brand guide. It lists the primary palette and shows logo versions (full wordmark, icon, monochrome). Files were exported as SVG, PNG and PDF for web and print. The guide includes simple usage rules like minimum clear space and where to use the icon-only mark (tags, small labels).

SOPs & photo conventions

The team wrote easy SOPs to make daily work repeatable. SOP sections include: photo checklist (minimum three images per product), filename rules, inventory naming, packing checklist and two customer message templates. The filename convention was made SEO-friendly (for example: embroidered-jhumka-alankrita-june.jpg) so images and alt text help site search later.

Packaging design & mockups

Students designed two packaging options: (1) an eco craft wrap with tissue and a branded sticker for regular orders; and (2) a small craft box with a printed thank-you card for gift sets. Dielines and printable label mockups were completed. The packaging follows the moodboard palette and uses the icon mark on seals and stickers.

Team roles & deliverables

To keep work flowing the team split tasks: one student manages photos and uploads, one updates product info, one arranges packaging and sample orders, and one drafts social posts and tests. Deliverables for June are: the moodboard file and image folder, a short brand style sheet, logo exports, SOP templates, packaging dielines and a README that explains where to find everything.

Next steps (July)

First, print physical packaging samples and test three real shipments. Next, update 10–15 product listings using the moodboard photo style and the new filename/alt-text rules. Then run one small social post test and track clicks or enquiries. Finally, train one helper on SOPs to speed up image production and packing.