Vernacular Craft Revival through Design Thinking: Palm Leaf Convocation Folder

Abstract

This report records the resuscitation of palm leaf weaving traditions through the joint design of a convocation certificate folder. The project was conducted with local craftsmen in Andhra Pradesh to consider the ways vernacular craft might be repurposed for use in contemporary ceremonial contexts. Palm leaves, traditionally employed as bearers of sacred and scientific knowledge, were both material and conceptual anchors. Ethnographic fieldwork, material experimentation, and iterative prototyping were used to co-create the artifact with artisans who practice near-extinct weaving techniques. The prototype produced not only shows ecological benefits over materials traditionally used but also supports cultural continuity by integrating traditional craft into academic protocols. This publication spotlights the promise of design-led interventions in maintaining traditional knowledge systems, providing avenues for cultural preservation, sustainable material innovation, and improved livelihood opportunities for communities of artisans.