Introduction

The National Design Centre (NDC) is a statutory body which was established under the National Crafts Council and Allied Institutions Act No: 35 of 1982 and commenced its operations in 1983, and currently functions under the purview of the Ministry of industries with the primary objective of improvement of craftsmen through the uplifting of the local handicrafts sector.

Services

  • Upgrade traditional handicrafts and develop new design concepts as well as prototypes for the handicraft industry.
  • Organizing New Design and Technology Development Training programme.
  • To develop appropriate mechanisms and approaches that will eventually build a network of various marketing agencies for the regional craft industry.
  • Conducting research in the chemical and mechanical field to arrive at suitable solutions for the handicraft industry.
  • Organizing diploma level design education programmes.
  • Provide design consultancy services to government and private sector institutions.
  • Provide common facilities to craftsmen and entrepreneurs.

Mission

Introducing market based creative designs in line with global and local market trends through promotion, development, capacity building, popularization and adaption to the mainstreaming.

Vision

Making the handicraft sector, a more dynamic and economically viable area.

Thrust Area

Nurturing, preserving and developing handicrafts

Objectives

  • Developing handicrafts currently manufactured by craftsmen and introducing innovations and new design concepts in line with current and future market trends in the local and export markets.
  • Conducting research programmes with scientific and technical institutions to introduce appropriate technology and improve quality standards and introduce proper technical and raw material preparation methods to increase qualitative production capacity.
  • Providing advance technical and product development training assistance to craftsmen with the aim of increasing income for the better development of the handicrafts sector.
  • Facilitating the database, use of new technology, common facilities to craftsmen/small-scale entrepreneurs and the public.
  • Introducing substitute raw materials and more efficient, innovative production methods for handicraft designs.
  • Improving market for newly designed handicraft products both local and international.
    Providing design consultancy services as requested by the public, private and non-governmental sectors.
  • Improving the ability to design creativity through conducting vocational education programmes and training.