Harita Kapur is an academic and design professional with over 30 years of experience in integrating research, critical thinking, and innovation to advance systems thinking and values around sustainable and ecologically responsible design futures.
Her work focuses on advocating for a holistic, values-driven design practice that emphasizes the transformative potential of design in fostering positive, sustainable change. By building human-centered and ecological design approaches, she has significantly contributed to curriculum development, aiming to create new perspectives that balance environmental, social, economic, and cultural considerations.
Harita Kapur is an academic and design professional with over 30 years of experience in integrating research, critical thinking, and innovation to advance systems thinking and values around sustainable and ecologically responsible design futures.
Her work focuses on advocating for a holistic, values-driven design practice that emphasizes the transformative potential of design in fostering positive, sustainable change. By building human-centered and ecological design approaches, she has significantly contributed to curriculum development, aiming to create new perspectives that balance environmental, social, economic, and cultural considerations.
Throughout her career, Harita has been extremely passionate about promoting design’s ability to drive meaningful change. She has worked extensively with rural artisans, non-profits, and community groups in bringing forth innovative collaborations and research partnerships, particularly at the intersection of design and craft.
Her specialties include curating, design-craft relationships, curriculum development, research, sustainability, and lateral thinking. Harita’s extensive experience continues to shape future-forward design practices that blend ecological design thinking with creativity and responsibility.
Research Publications:
2016. Handmade Tales: Sustainable Fashion through Craft Connections. Massey University, College of Creative Arts, Wellington, New Zealand. Available at: https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/11067
2014. “Design Intervention and Craft Revival.” International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 4, Issue 10, October 2014. http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-1014/ijsrp-p34119.pdf
The purpose of this paper is to measure if Design Intervention helps in the revival of dying crafts and illustrate how interesting ideas and new intervention models can be developed for several purposes, whether for revitalizing a languishing craft or for developing new products to create sustainable livelihoods.
Conferences:
2023 Keynote Speaker
Identity’23, International Conference
School of Creativity, Rishihood University, New Delhi
Ecological Design Mapping: Building Spiritual and Cultural Connections with Nature.
2022 Speaker
Handicrafts & Handwoven Textiles – Opportunities in Post-COVID Era
Amity School of Fashion Technology, New Delhi
Design + Craft: A Future-Focused Approach for Sustainability in Crafts.
Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Sustainability through Collaborative Design & Craft Partnerships.
Research:
2021. Establishment of Natural Dye Garden. Whitecliffe College.
Establishment of a Natural Dye Garden on campus for students to access, including documentation of the process through student engagement. Evaluation and review of the project for inclusion in the new Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design degree. A co-authored research article will be submitted to a fashion journal for publication.
2021. Sustainable Textile and Craft Processes. Whitecliffe College.
Building on my knowledge around new and innovative sustainable textile development and extending my knowledge of craft processes through explorations with natural indigo dyeing. From fabric waste generated in the fashion studio, created a textile artwork using the traditional Korean patchwork technique, Pojagi, using zero/minimal waste techniques. This research output was exhibited at the Regeneration exhibition in 2024.
Exhibitions and events
Shifting Design Perspectives towards a Sustainable and Regenerative Future – Conceptualisation and Curation of Regeneration Exhibition at Allpress Studio showcasing collective research outputs and work of faculty, students and graduates
Shifting Perspectives towards a Sustainable Fashion Industry in Aotearoa – Organised an Industry Panel Discussion with key industry stakeholders’ educators and guests from the sustainable fashion industry.
Coordinated the Annual Whitecliffe Fashion Shows to showcase the work of students. Helped in the marketing and promotion of student work through social media platforms
Curated and organized an exhibition for Fashion Revolution Week, NZ, showcasing sustainable fashion collections of students and graduates of Whitecliffe College
Research, planning and execution of Prime Minster Scholarship to Asia where students travel to craft centers across India to collaborate with craftspeople and learn their craft skills.
