Ninai – DIY Jewelry Kit

NINAI – Wear your memories

Project: Packaging Design Product: DIY Jewelery Kit Year: 2026

Problem Statement: Sentimental clothing often remains unused in cupboards, leaving people with few ways to preserve its memories.

Ninai transforms sentimental fabrics into personalised jewellery through a beginner-friendly DIY kit. That is where Ninai, meaning “remember” in Tamil, comes in. The idea was to transform sentimental clothing into wearable jewellery, allowing people to carry their memories forward in a new form.

Why jewellery? Because it turns something deeply personal into something we can wear every day, giving old fabrics a renewed purpose while preserving the stories attached to them.

Designed primarily for young adults aged 18–25, and secondarily for adults aged 25–35, Ninai appeals to those who value sustainability, personalisation, handmade crafts and meaningful keepsakes.

THE PACKAGING

The packaging takes the form of a treasure box, reflecting the emotional value of the fabrics stored within. Just as a treasure box holds things that are precious to us, Ninai holds the materials needed to transform forgotten garments into meaningful keepsakes. The structure was explored through sketches, rough prototypes and dielines, with the final concept envisioned in wood, reinforced folds and metal hinges for durability.

Beyond being a storage box, the packaging is designed to function like a portable toolbox when opened. Its organised compartments keep the tools and materials accessible while allowing users to carry the kit around and work on their jewellery wherever they choose. The instruction manual is integrated into the inner flaps of the handle, allowing the wooden box to function like a cover binding for the guide. This makes the packaging an active part of the making experience rather than simply a container for the product.

VISUAL IDENTITY

The visual identity draws from nostalgia, craft, earthy and warm. The logo uses Alumni Sans, a typeface that has been modified to create a distinctive brand identity. This visual language extends into the brand pattern and illustrations. The instruction guide further supports the experience by guiding users through different jewellery-making techniques, making the kit approachable even for those with no prior crafting experience.

RESULT

The result is a product that celebrates both the memory and the material, turning forgotten fabrics into wearable stories. Because sometimes, the best way to preserve a memory is not to keep it tucked away, but to give it a new life.