New batch of B Des. Students went on an ethnographic and industrial visit on 23^rd August to Coir units in Alappuzha to understand the process and techniques used in the industry and the lifestyle of the workers. Students saw coir being soaked in water, beaten to extract fibres, dried and twisted into ropes manually and also with machines. The coir ropes made are bundled and sent to units where they are converted into mats, carpets and geo textiles They also saw units were coir mattresses and coir composite boards are made. The day ended with a visit to the coir museum where the history of coir industry, technology, processes were on display. Students put up an interesting exhibition after studying and analysing the information collected as a part of their Introduction to Design course.