Shillong: The Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Meghalaya, has put out a call for designers to join its newly established Innovation & Research Centre in Shillong, an initiative being rolled out under the Centre-backed Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme.
In a notification issued on June 9, the Directorate said it is looking to onboard creative professionals who can develop fresh design concepts across eight broad categories tied to the state’s handloom and handicrafts sector. The scope covers everything from apparel and textiles, decorative handicrafts, and home furnishings to utility items such as bags and baskets, crockery, pottery utensils, furniture, and even improved or new production tools.
Officials said the Centre is not looking for generic portfolios. Applicants must submit project-specific work developed exclusively for this initiative, complete with background research, design concepts, specification sheets, and a short note on how the work fits into Meghalaya’s existing crafts ecosystem. A total of 240 designs, spanning handicrafts, handloom, and production tools, will eventually make the cut.
Those selected will be hired on a project basis and will remain involved through three subsequent phases: prototype development, product finalization, and training master craftsmen. Designers are required to quote a per-design cost upfront, and the amount must cover all three phases. Payment will be released across four milestones: design selection, prototype completion, final product delivery, and conclusion of the craftsmen training.
Interested candidates need to move quickly. The last date for submitting applications is June 25, 2026. Submissions must include a detailed resume, a brief report on past experience, and documentation of local research on Meghalaya’s handloom and handicraft traditions. Everything goes to meghalaya.ramp.scheme@gmail.com with the subject line reading “Designer application for I&RC.”
Shortlisted applicants will face a jury interview scheduled for the first week of July 2026 at the Directorate’s office in Lower Nongrim Hills, Shillong. Further details are available on the department’s website at megindustry.gov.in/notifications.
With Meghalaya’s craft sector long seeking a bridge between traditional skill and contemporary design, the outreach appears timed to bring professional design thinking directly into the production chain, not just on paper, but through to the workshop floor.
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