We're Hiring | Design Assistant - Craft Research & Development

Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Experience: 1–3 years

Raali is a contemporary Indian craft and design brand rooted in the ecology and craft practices of the Thar Desert. We work closely with artisan communities to explore vernacular crafts, develop products and bring regional textile knowledge into a contemporary context.

We’re looking for a Design Assistant – Craft Research & Development who is as interested in understanding a craft as they are in designing with it. The role combines field research and craft documentation with hands-on collaboration with artisan communities, material exploration, and the development of thoughtful collections with vernacular crafts at their centre.

This is a hands-on, field-oriented role for someone who enjoys travelling to artisan and craft clusters, learning directly from communities, and taking ideas from research and material exploration through to finished products.

Key ResponsibilitiesCraft Research & Documentation

- Research and document vernacular crafts, textiles, materials, techniques and making practices.
- Document craft processes, tools, materials and artisan knowledge through written records, photography and video.
- Visit existing and potential craft clusters to understand local skills, practices, community knowledge and opportunities for development.
- Build and maintain a structured craft archive for research and future collections.

Fieldwork & Artisan Collaboration

- Travel to artisan communities and craft clusters, including rural locations, to conduct field research and work directly with artisans.
- Build respectful working relationships through sensitive, thoughtful and effective communication.
- Collaborate with artisans to explore and develop vernacular crafts while respecting their knowledge, skills and cultural context.




- Identify opportunities to develop new craft clusters and establish relationships with artisan groups.
- Understand artisan capabilities, production processes and constraints to inform craft and product development.

Design & Collection Development

- Contribute to collections across textiles, apparel, furnishings and lifestyle products.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop a thoughtful, cohesive collection with a vernacular craft at its centre, allowing its techniques, materiality and cultural context to inform the design direction.
- Develop design concepts, motifs, patterns, colour stories and product ideas grounded in craft research.
- Explore materials, techniques and samples in collaboration with artisans and the design team.
- Apply a sound understanding of handloom weave construction, textile structures and materials.
- Prepare moodboards, sketches, digital renderings, sample specifications and tech packs, and participate in sampling and product refinement.

Creative Documentation & Material Archiving

- Build and maintain a material archive of the craft community, documenting textiles, yarns, fibres, dyes, samples, techniques and surface details.
- Photograph and film field visits, craft processes, material explorations, sampling and finished products.
- Organise research and visual documentation into structured archives and presentations for the design team.

Who We’re Looking For
- A degree or diploma in Textile Design, Craft Design, Fashion Design or a related discipline.




- Prior experience in craft documentation is essential.
- A sound understanding of handloom weave construction is essential.
- The ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with artisan communities and build meaningful working relationships.
- A genuine interest in Indian vernacular crafts, textiles, materials and making practices.
- A designer who can translate craft research into considered design concepts and cohesive collections.
- Someone who enjoys fieldwork, is comfortable travelling to artisan clusters, and thrives in hands-on, on-ground environments.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with working knowledge of Canva and Excel/Google Sheets.
- Valuable photography and video documentation skills, including using a phone to capture processes and products.
- Curiosity, initiative, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to craft-led design.

Why Raali?At Raali, design begins with understanding the craft, the material, the place and the people behind it. You’ll work closely with our Creative Head and design team, engage directly with artisan communities, and contribute to developing craft clusters and collections—from initial field research to finished products. This is an opportunity for a designer who wants to work beyond the studio, deepen their understanding of Indian crafts and contribute to their thoughtful evolution through design.

How to ApplySend your CV, portfolio and examples of previous craft documentation to [email protected].

Please use the subject line: Design Assistant – Craft Research & Development | [Your Name]

For enquiries, contact Chandrika at (phone hidden).

If you’re passionate about craft, enjoy working with people and materials on the ground, and want to create design that begins with a deeper understanding of craft, we’d love to hear from you.

📌 Design Assistant – Craft Research & Development (Jodhpur)
🏢 Raali
📍 Jodhpur