Build the Scene: Set Design and Model-Making Workshop

Build the Scene is a hands-on set design workshop where children explore how environments, props, and structures are created for storytelling and performance.

Led by Pratiksha Chauhan, this workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of model-making and set-building using cardboard, paper, and recycled materials. Children learn how to construct stable forms, shape materials, and assemble components to build functional and expressive set pieces.

The workshop begins with structural exploration — cutting, joining, and reinforcing cardboard using simple tools like masking tape and glue. As participants gain confidence, they move into building props and scenic elements using materials such as newspapers, plastic bottles, and everyday waste.

The final phase focuses on surface and finish. Children experiment with painting, plaster of paris, and texture-making techniques to bring their sets to life. They learn how colour, detail, and material choices influence the mood and visual identity of a scene.

This workshop encourages children to think of design as both construction and storytelling — where materials are not just used, but transformed into meaningful environments.

What children do:

• Build structural bases using cardboard and paper

• Create props and set elements from recycled materials

• Cut, join, and assemble components for stability

• Paint and finish surfaces with textures and colour

• Develop themed set pieces through design

What children learn:

• Basics of model-making and set construction

• Material handling and structural thinking

• Surface finishing and texture creation

• Upcycling and sustainable design practices

• Translating ideas into physical environments

Materials used:

• Cardboard, newspapers, and paper sheets

• Glue, masking tape, scissors, paper cutter

• Plastic bottles and waste materials (cans, boxes, objects)

• Tissue paper, plaster of paris

• Paint brushes, fabric paints, colours

About the expert:

Pratiksha Chauhan is a designer and creative director with over 11 years of experience across fashion, media, and visual storytelling. A graduate of NIFT, she has worked with platforms such as Myntra, Culture Machine, and VICE Media, where she specialized in conceptualizing and producing culture and lifestyle-led creative projects.

Her practice focuses on translating ideas into visual and spatial experiences, working across design, storytelling, and material exploration. At Yaksha, she designed and executed the showcase set, bringing immersive environments to life through collaborative and hands-on processes.