As traditional knowledge begins to disappear research becomes the backbone for the development of craft. Traditional technologies, techniques and nuances create the visual language of a culture giving identity to each region. Encouraging the study and documentation of these diverse craft traditions creates a body of knowledge that helps to rejuvenate dying craft forms, giving us a repertoire of forms that give us an edge in globalizing markets.

All professional, academic and development projects start with research. A great deal of know how exists in the knowledge centre at IICD which we will publish in the years to come.  Students go on craft field experience and NGO training. This results in a research document which is archived at IICD. Students at IICD publish a magazine called Chisel which showcases their work from classroom projects, field experiences and industry. Beside this, students also express their opinions and ideas. 

The Stone Craft Foundation is a society established at IICD with grants from the Government of Rajasthan. Rajasthan being a state endowed with stone mines of quality materials, a variety of high quality skills in building skills in building crafts and stone artifacts, a major initiative has been taken to document seven stone clusters of the state. The research and documentation will lead to the following publications this year.