Shibani Dasgupta Jain — Founder

Hi, I’m Shibani. I have always believed that Design need not be complicated in its approach, after a point, it becomes a way of being. At its core, it’s about connecting people, the environment, figuring the right materials and processes and creating new interpretations for evolving times. Design is often a series of micro inventions that come together to represent innovation. Once you assimilate these factors, you can apply the principles to anything- designing a product, an art installation or defining a strategic roadmap for the future. My journey began at the National Institute of Design, where I learned to ‘think’- about building creative systems and authentic stories. After working with Ogilvy & Mather and Tata Interactive Systems, I realised my heart was elsewhere, in the villages where crafts were fading and in the exciting possibility of reimagining their place in modern day living. This belief led me to start Craftsbridge India Pvt. Ltd., long before “e-commerce entrepreneurship” was even a term. Craftsbridge was my first experiment, a platform to connect rural artisans with urban markets and help them earn fair value for their skill. It was where I learned the toughest and truest lessons about business, empathy, and scale. When that chapter closed, I carried its essence forward and founded Baaya Design in 2009, a studio that brings India’s crafts into contemporary spaces. From here, the journey unfolded naturally → I founded Hand for Handmade, in 2020, a foundation born in the pandemic to help sustain artisans and offer knowledge building for the sector. → I am a Co-founder of Catalyst for Social Action, where I serve as Trustee to support child welfare and rehabilitation. → Rock Villa by Baaya and Ona Farm Stay, are my spaces where I have explored artful design that synergises with slow, conscious living and boutique stays. I’m a traveller at heart. I chase murals in Turkey and textiles in Kutch with the same curiosity. Some journeys take me across continents to study art and architecture; others lead me to the remotest Indian villages to unearth hidden crafts. Both kinds of travel remind me that creativity is a universal language, and that India speaks it with a thousand voices. I’m always open to conversations about art, design, travel, and the future of craftsmanship, whether over coffee, a workshop, or a curious exchange of ideas. You can reach me on LinkedIn DMs or at shibani (at) baayadesign (dot) com

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Design Entrepreneur with a focus on Social Impact and Craftsmanship.

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Experience: 34 yrs 8 mos