Empowering Next-Gen Design Entrepreneurs

Table of contents

• Fostering Innovation, Creativity and Leadership in Design
• Fashion with Purpose: Anas Sheikh's 23°N 69°E
• Slow Fashion and Social Impact: Parul Gupta's Yūga
• Interior Design Innovation: Simran Bhatia's The Good Room
• Digital Design Frontiers: Paridhi Dhariwal's Onclickcloset

Fostering Innovation, Creativity and Leadership in Design

In an academic setting where conventional design education often stifles creativity, IIAD has cultivated an entrepreneurial ecosystem that transforms students from passive learners to active innovators. Breaking away from rote teaching methods, the institution's project-based curriculum immerses students in real-world challenges, effectively becoming an incubator for design-driven entrepreneurship.

Through an inquiry-based, learner-centric approach, students are empowered to discover their unique voices and encouraged to experiment, innovate and collaborate. The institute's emphasis on project-based learning and a 'learning through doing' philosophy ensures graduates are equipped with industry-ready skills and a professional mindset. In just ten years, IIAD alumni have proven that design education can be a powerful engine of innovation, social impact, and entrepreneurship.

Fashion with Purpose: Anas Sheikh's 23°N 69°E

“I launched Project 23°N.69°E during the Covid 19 pandemic. It is a brand that creates garments that suit the urban soul, yet capture India’s artisan groups’ talent perfectly. Project 23°N 69°E hits the nail on the head - rooted in tradition, but also progressive in fashion.” says IIAD alumni Anas Sheikh, (Fashion Design, Batch 2016-20), co-founder of apparel brand PROJECT 23°N.69°E. Sheikh's journey with his brand embodies the new-age institution's transformative approach. During his internship with Ajrakh block print artisans in Kachchh, Gujarat, he discovered more than a technique—he found a mission. His brand collaborates directly with local artisans, creating hand-printed garments that capture India's rich textile heritage.

Every year, Sheikh spends a significant portion of his time in Ajrakhpur, experimenting alongside artisans in their natural environment. His collection includes handprinted and hand-painted garments utilising techniques like marbling, tie-dye, and eco-printing. Featured in Vogue India's January-February 2024 issue, he represents a generation of designers rewriting the narrative of 'handmade' by embracing both sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship.

Slow Fashion and Social Impact: Parul Gupta's Yūga

Parul Gupta's Yūga represents a conscious approach to fashion that goes beyond aesthetic considerations. Founded in 2022, the label collaborates with weavers from Chendamanglam, a small hamlet in Ernakulam, Kerala. After gaining extensive experience as a design consultant with 11.11 and Kala Khoj, Gupta created a brand that merges traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

Her gender-neutral collections are more than just clothing—they're a social enterprise. By working closely with local handloom societies, Yūga documents age-old processes, bridges the gap between artisans and consumers, and presents a traceable story of slow-made clothing. The brand adheres to transparency, ethical production, and a commitment to supporting rurally located crafts and artisans. In an interview with local daily The Hindu, she quotes, “Following my experience with designer Himanshu Shani of 11.11, I decided to work on my own and kickstarted Yūga after discussions with fellow design graduate Gadha Gopal from Kerala who had also researched the H-47 cluster in Chendamangalam."

Founded in 2022, her label collaborates with weavers from Chendamanglam, Kerala, creating gender-neutral clothing that supports rural craftsmanship. Her brand documents age-old processes and bridges the gap between artisans and consumers.

Interior Design Innovation: Simran Bhatia's The Good Room

An alumni from IAD (Batch 2015-2019), SImran Bhatia is the founder of The Good Home. Simran Bhatia's journey with The Good Room illustrates IIAD's approach to professional preparation. Based in Dehradun, her firm provides professional interior design solutions that go far beyond mere decoration. Specialising in both residential and commercial projects, The Good Room offers transformative makeovers that blend style and functionality.

Bhatia's perspective highlights the depth of her education: “Initially, when I joined, I had no idea what interior design was. I thought it was just about decorating spaces, but it's much more than that.” Her internships and live projects have equipped her with a skill set that stands out, demonstrating the practical, hands-on approach of IIAD's curriculum.

Luxury Furniture and Design: Mehul Sethi's Remax Furnitures

Mehul Sethi's distinguished career in luxury furniture design showcases another entrepreneurial path. His brand, Remax Furnitures, is known for exquisite craftsmanship, innovative material use, and timeless elegance. Driven by a passion for creating furniture that fosters connection and beauty in living spaces, Sethi draws inspiration from modern lifestyle trends while maintaining the authenticity of every design element.

Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Sethi remains deeply connected to IIAD, contributing back to the institution by hiring students and participating in initiatives like the Industry Conclave and Pi Legacy.

Mohini Bothra: Crafting Meaning Through Hillside Potter

Building on her formal training in visual communication design and her fascination with design exploration, human behaviour and storytelling, (Mohini Bothra Communication Design, 2016-2020) has charted a successful career as a product and ceramic designer. She has worked with many brands such as AndAnd Brand Partners, Corugami and The Good Batch Foods, acquiring both experience and expertise across brand and identity design, packaging design and advertising. She has carved a niche for herself as the founder of Hillside Potter, a ceramics studio based in Assam. Her journey began with a passion for design and a vision to create something deeply personal and impactful. Today, Hillside Potter stands as an extension of her philosophy—where artistry meets introspection.

Through her brand, Mohini has translated her creative vision into handcrafted ceramics that celebrate self-expression and mindfulness. Hillside Potter’s workshops reflect her dedication to sharing the transformative power of pottery, fostering a space for growth and connection. Mohini’s journey exemplifies how a strong design foundation can empower individuals to shape not only objects but also meaningful experiences. Mohini is also an educator and mentor at AND academy.

Digital Design Frontiers: Paridhi Dhariwal's Onclickcloset

Founder of Onclickcloset, Paridhi Dhariwal represents the cutting edge of design innovation. A self-taught digital fashion designer, she has transitioned from traditional fashion to the innovative world of virtual design. Her studio, Onclickcloset, creates digital garments optimized for augmented reality, game-ready assets, and metaverse wearables.

Proficient in tools like CLO3d, Marvelous Designer, Style3d, Blender, and the Adobe Suite, Dhariwal bridges physical prototypes with digital solutions. Her work addresses industry challenges through digital innovation, combining fashion with storytelling and bringing creative concepts to life through immersive narratives.

A Broader Impact: Reimagining Design Education

These stories are not just individual success narratives. They represent IIAD's fundamental approach—an educational model that encourages real-world problem-solving, supports entrepreneurial thinking, and drives innovation across design disciplines. In a short decade, the institution has demonstrated that design education can be a catalyst for meaningful change, connecting classroom learning with industry demands and empowering students to become not just professionals, but pioneers.