500+ Industry Connections

Table of contents

• Industry Mentors: Architects of a Transformative Model
• Live Projects: A New Paradigm of Practical Learning
• A Collaborative Ecosystem of Design Education

Building a Decade-Long Industry Partnership Journey

When a small group of design professionals—a collective of academicians, industry professionals— launched IIAD in 2015, they identified a fundamental disconnect in design education. Traditional academic models were failing to prepare students for the complexities of contemporary professional practice. Their vision was not to create another design school, but to fundamentally rethink how design skills can be developed and taught—a radical reimagining.

In this way, Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) emerged as a deliberate intervention conceived by industry practitioners. Their goal was to address systemic gaps by creating an educational model which would directly connect classroom learning with real-time industry demands. This was a strategic redefinition of the conventional setup of design education. These pioneering academicians—practitioners themselves—recognised that the future of design demanded a holistic, immersive approach that went beyond theoretical learning.

Industry Mentors: Architects of a Transformative Model

The new-age institution's academic board represents a strategic assembly of design industry leaders. Names like Nikhil Arora (Vice President and Managing Director, Intuit India), Leena Singh (Founder, Ashima-Leena), Shiva Viswanathan (Founder, CMO & Design Head, Catenate and Apparatus Media Lab), Annie Napolean (Creative Director, McGann Digital), Rachna Agarwal (Founder & Design Ideator, Studio IAAD), Asha Sairam (Principal, Studio Lotus) and Prof. Ashok B Lall (Founder, Ashok B Lall Architects) are not mere figureheads. They are active participants who continuously shape the curriculum, ensuring each discipline training precisely matches current market dynamics.

These perspectives are echoed by practitioners who have directly experienced IIAD's innovative approach. Abhishek Bij, Partner and Lead Designer at Design Plus Architects shares his experience with IIAD graduates, “Before 2022, architectural firms rarely included interior graduates; we primarily worked with architects. IIAD has shifted the perspective that architects excel at interior design but not the other way around. Something is clearly being done right in IIAD’s education. These graduates, equipped with the necessary skill set, are profession-ready after four years, which is remarkable.

Live Projects: A New Paradigm of Practical Learning

The curriculum at IIAD is defined by its commitment to real-world challenges, with live projects serving as the cornerstone of its pedagogical strategy. Students don't just learn theoretical concepts; they execute client presentations, manage budgets and translate creative concepts into tangible designs.

Projects like the Kheta Project—where students studied reversible embroidery techniques with the Shershabadi women—demonstrate this commitment to meaningful, contextual learning. Similarly, they collaborated with The Locavore team and Goa Livelihoods Forum (GLF) for the Serendipity Arts Festival (December 2023) to orchestrate a transformative design experience at ‘The Village’ in Art Park. Digitisation of the museum experience at the National Museum, in collaboration with Tricolour India Schauspiel Pvt. Ltd, installations at Select Citywalk

Nikhil Joshi, Partner at Digital Jalebi, who engaged with students at IIAD's 2023 Annual Grad Show, UNFOLD, highlighted the institute's effort to foster industry dialogue: "Your facilities are excellent. As a design student myself, I find them impressive—ready exhibition spaces for quick displays and feedback are crucial. These spaces invite input beyond professors and peers, which is invaluable."

Another testament to IIAD’s model is alumni Aakriti Jain (2016-2020). Aakriti became a Design Director at the Grid Design Studio. Gaurav Gupta (Founder & CEO, Grid Design Studio)

A Collaborative Ecosystem of Design Education

In most academic institutions, industry engagement is often synonymous with placements. Students have already made significant marks, working with brands like House of Masaba, H&M, Uniqlo, Reliance Brands Limited, Lamborghini, Publicis Canada and Cognizant, IBM, Studio Lotus, Nicobar, Shades of India, SquareBoat, Aaquib Wani, OYO, Yatra, JLL and Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Ltd.

The industry connections at institute are not meant only to function as traditional placement models.  They form a dynamic, multifaceted ecosystem of collaboration and professional development. Besides functioning as networking opportunities, events like the Annual Graduate Show UNFOLD, Industry Conclave and Luxury Symposium function as platforms for informed dialogue and creative exchange. These flagship events bolster IIAD’s mission of making students industry-ready, recognising that design education cannot thrive in silos but must be deeply connected to the industry and its practices.

Industry as Academic Mentors

Masterclasses at IIAD represent a critical component of the institution's industry engagement strategy. The fashion design curriculum, for instance, brings industry leaders directly into the educational process. Students receive direct, unfiltered mentorship from design luminaries like Suket Dhir (Indian fashion designer), Tarun Tahiliani (Indian fashion designer) and Caroline Alexander (Senior Lecturer, Kingston School of Arts), gaining insights that extend far beyond traditional classroom learning.

These masterclasses are complemented by guest lectures from distinguished professionals such as M.K. Raina, Dadi Pudamjee, Laila Tyabji and Dr. Sunil Vashisth, https://www.iiad.edu.in/programmes/interior-architecture-and-design/who contribute to a multidimensional learning environment that breaks traditional academic boundaries.

The approach transforms masterclasses from occasional events into a core pedagogical strategy, providing students with real-world perspectives, professional networks, and nuanced understanding of design as both a creative and strategic discipline.

The Future of Design Education

In just a decade, IIAD has demonstrated that design education can be a collaborative, dynamic process. By treating students as creative professionals-in-training rather than passive learners, the institution is not just teaching design—it's reimagining how design is learned and practiced.

In short, the designers nurtured at IIAD are adaptable creative professionals who understand design as a strategic discipline, not just a visual craft. A decade ago, this approach was radical. Today, it's perhaps the blueprint for design education's future.