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, an Armenian sock brand 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.”
Within the iconography of the winning design, one symbol tells the story of a local myth. The tale is the story of a princess who fell in love with a villager, who in turn 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 factor in the success of this course was its strong emphasis on digital design. Thanks to the generous support of the Vahe Fattal Foundation, students were equipped with new iPads, giving them hands-on access to industry-standard tools. These tablets will continue to serve as valuable resources for future classes and workshops at the SMART Center. Dedicated to fostering the next generation of creatives, the Vahe Fattal Foundation has also previously supported immersive masterclasses at COAF’s SMART Center, bringing in expert craftspersons from around the world to share their skills.
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.
Support the creative children of Lori! Pre-order your Kulbas socks today. (Shipping begins July 28, 2025).
