Innovative AP Designer Secures 7 Patents: A Revolution in Handicrafts and Product Design | Vijayawada News
Visakhapatnam: Dr Muppidi Rambabu, a faculty member with the leather goods and accessories design department at the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) in Hyderabad, has secured seven design registrations from the Indian patent office (IPO) in the last 12 months. Rambabu, who comes from an artisan family at Jangareddygudem in West Godavari district, is both an artisan and an academician dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship while incorporating modern technology.
An example of his innovative designs is the leather-wood bird toy, inspired by his research on wooden handicrafts. Another is a jewellery case box, which was developed after an extensive field study of jewellery shops focusing on goldsmith artisans. The trekking backpack, which also got design registration, is designed by blending advanced technology with expert craftsmanship.
Rambabu holds a PhD in handicrafts history, specialising in the study and preservation of Indian handicrafts. His expertise spans across handmade paintings, fashion illustrations, accessory design, toy making, graphic design, leather tannery and footwear design, wall painting, and antique stone carving. He has received seven design registrations to date from the 13 submissions made to the IPO. He has also authored and edited seven books on handicrafts and fashion illustrations, in addition to publishing over 80 research papers and chapters.
Rambabu said his aim is to guide students pursuing careers in fields like fashion, product design, visual design, fine arts, and other design-related disciplines. “I focus on equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for today’s world, emphasizing hands-on projects, institutional collaborations, and skill-oriented initiatives. While local craftsmanship remains important, the need for innovation is growing, especially with the increasing number of students applying to institutions like NIFT, NID, IIT, and FDDI,” he told TOI.
He also offers free design services to underprivileged artisans to ensure their crafts continue to thrive. “I am deeply involved in promoting Indian crafts, such as Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, and Nirmal toys, helping artisans from these communities gain recognition and improve their livelihoods. My workshops and seminars have exposed traditional craft techniques to a global audience, ensuring that these skills are preserved for future generations. I am ready to offer these design registrations to artisans at no cost,” added Rambabu.
Beyond classroom and research, he has drawn over 10,000 fashion illustrations and mastered various mediums. His artwork often features handcrafted colours derived from vegetables like beetroot and carrot leaves, which lend a distinctive organic feel to his paintings and sketches. His ultimate vision is to enrich the society through his creative output, besides providing free resources, mentorship, and a wealth of knowledge to aspiring designers, artists, and artisans.
An example of his innovative designs is the leather-wood bird toy, inspired by his research on wooden handicrafts. Another is a jewellery case box, which was developed after an extensive field study of jewellery shops focusing on goldsmith artisans. The trekking backpack, which also got design registration, is designed by blending advanced technology with expert craftsmanship.
Rambabu holds a PhD in handicrafts history, specialising in the study and preservation of Indian handicrafts. His expertise spans across handmade paintings, fashion illustrations, accessory design, toy making, graphic design, leather tannery and footwear design, wall painting, and antique stone carving. He has received seven design registrations to date from the 13 submissions made to the IPO. He has also authored and edited seven books on handicrafts and fashion illustrations, in addition to publishing over 80 research papers and chapters.
Rambabu said his aim is to guide students pursuing careers in fields like fashion, product design, visual design, fine arts, and other design-related disciplines. “I focus on equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for today’s world, emphasizing hands-on projects, institutional collaborations, and skill-oriented initiatives. While local craftsmanship remains important, the need for innovation is growing, especially with the increasing number of students applying to institutions like NIFT, NID, IIT, and FDDI,” he told TOI.
He also offers free design services to underprivileged artisans to ensure their crafts continue to thrive. “I am deeply involved in promoting Indian crafts, such as Kondapalli, Etikoppaka, and Nirmal toys, helping artisans from these communities gain recognition and improve their livelihoods. My workshops and seminars have exposed traditional craft techniques to a global audience, ensuring that these skills are preserved for future generations. I am ready to offer these design registrations to artisans at no cost,” added Rambabu.
Beyond classroom and research, he has drawn over 10,000 fashion illustrations and mastered various mediums. His artwork often features handcrafted colours derived from vegetables like beetroot and carrot leaves, which lend a distinctive organic feel to his paintings and sketches. His ultimate vision is to enrich the society through his creative output, besides providing free resources, mentorship, and a wealth of knowledge to aspiring designers, artists, and artisans.
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