Kaitlyn Fernandes

Nana's Traditions

My project explored how identity and memory can be expressed through food, culture, and design. The brief asked me to create a visual and physical design outcome that communicates a personal or cultural narrative. I focused on my nana’s traditional family recipe and how food connects generations and can make traditions. The target audience included young adults, families interested in preserving cultural identity through contemporary design, and individuals in the FMCG market. The product I developed was a series of masala pastes passed down from my nana, reimagined through storytelling and design.

The main idea driving my design was the preservation of heritage through storytelling, showing that traditions can adapt while staying rooted in authenticity. To express this, I used processes such as custom engraved packaging made from wood and jute (a sustainable material used in India), an embroidered logo to reflect craft and nostalgia. I also incorporated engraving and stitching, techniques that hold generational value within my family.

My design is significant because it bridges cultural memory with modern design values. It offers a new way of connecting personal heritage to visual communication, encouraging younger generations to value, reconnect with, and continue their cultural traditions.