What began as a design masterclass quickly became a lesson in storytelling, teamwork, and cultural pride for students at the COAF SMART Center.
In partnership with Kulbas Socks, a charitable sock manufacturer that donates its 100% of it profit to meaningful causes, the Digital Drawing course at the COAF SMART Center invited 20 students on a four-month journey from concept to production. With mentorship from Kulbas founder Narek and COAF SMART instructor Vahrad, students explored the principles of industrial design while sharpening their skills in digital art, storytelling, and collaboration. The goal—collaborate to design a new sock, from first sketch to final production.
The project culminated in a friendly design competition, where students were challenged to create designs inspired by symbols and stories rooted in Lori’s rich cultural heritage. Participants drew from local traditions, village myths, and even family stories passed down through generations. As the students learned to navigate design software and refine their visual storytelling, they reinterpreted local iconography through their unique creative approaches.
“I had high expectations, and they were all met and exceeded from the get-go,” said Narek after leading a hands-on, three-hour masterclass. “The kids were eager, curious, and wildly talented. Their energy and creativity gave me real hope for the future of design in Armenia.”
The winning design tells the story of a local myth, the story of a princess who fell in love with a villager, who then suffered a grizzly punishment for attracting the princess’s eye—losing his own. The design subtly weaves this tale into bold patterns and motifs reminiscent of traditional Armenian rug art. While one team was selected as the winner, elements from all concepts were incorporated into the final design, honoring the collective creativity of the group.
A key component in making this course a success was the emphasis on digital design. New iPads provided for the course gave students access to industry tools and will remain as long-term resources for future classes and workshops at the SMART Center.
The final design will go into production through Kulbas. All proceeds from its sale will directly benefit COAF’s ongoing programs—a powerful demonstration of the impact of hands-on, mission-driven education.
