Industry Design Talks – Design for better future

IIAD aims to bring professional design practice into the learning environment of a student from an early stage. Learn on-site internships, collaborative & live projects, and various industry interactions form an integral part of our learning pedagogy. Practitioners from the industry not only conduct master-classes and hands-on workshops but also come on board to mentor students during academic as well as industry projects. These interactions empower our students to expand their networks and connections in the design industry. Here’s what Industry experts have to say at IIAD Design Talks on the topic ‘Design for Future’

Samiksha Bajaj

Co-founder of Samshek - A tech fashion startup, participated in the IIAD Design Talks webinar on Reshaping Sustainable Fashion Future. She gave an overview of the current unsustainable practices in the fashion industry, followed by what her startup is doing to drive the sustainability agenda. Samiksha illustrated how technology can bring about sustainability by mass customization, just-in-time production, digital inventories and 3D body scanners, leading to a drastic reduction in wastage. She also spoke about how the 2020 pandemic fueled the need to stop relying on conventional methods of production and distribution and to start using more technology and less human resources. Her fashion startup strives to provide the “best services in terms of quality, price, personalization, fitting and on-time deliveries.” Her approach is the middle ground between mass-production (fast-fashion) and made-to-order (bespoke.) She also spoke about emerging trends like virtual fashion shows and robotic machinery, among others. Samiksha

Bidisha Sinha

Associate Director of Zaha Hadid Architects - With an experience of over 15 years working for Zaha Hadid Architects, London, came forward to participate in the IIAD Design Talks webinar where she talked about Modern Interior Architecture and Sustainable Architecture in this fast moving world. Bidisha said, ‘A well designed space can be an asset to which the local population feels ownership towards’. The modern interior architecture has to be regenerative, accessible and democratic. She also talked about a few modern projects by Zaha Architects such as Evelyn Grace Academy, The Winton Gallery - Science Museum and Private Mews House - Kingston Bridge which is really impressive and conventional at the same time. Talking about designing for a better future, she remarked that architects would be required to adapt new skills and be rigorous in their thinking in this rapidly Changing the world.

Ruchi Batra

Chief Design Officer, IBM iX - As a participant at IIAD Design Talk, Ruchi Batra feels that designers of the future need to develop a social conscience along with their creative skills to focus on topics like ecological sustainability, inclusivity, universal design,social design, etc. This is the only way design educators can equip design students with skills and toolkits to become the change catalyst for the 21st century. She also encouraged students of IIAD to prepare for complex challenges as they need new capabilities that are driving change, managing complexity and inspiring possibilities. Shesaid that we have to ignite interdisciplinary learning, that is, partner with other institutes to share an understanding of complex concepts like behavioural sciences, business and technology. She also added that we have to simulate real work environments to help students experience real issues. This will broaden the problem horizons and let the students face unknown challenges so that they develop skills to collaborate, ideate and contribute to the solution. In her quotes, “Learning experiences can no longer be one size fits all”. She also wants students to experiment with emerging technologies - AI, blockchain and quantum computing as the new age design tools. Lastly, she concluded that we have to personalise the student learning experiences and facilitate their career paths.

Sonia Manchanda

Founding partner for Spread Design and Innovation Pvt Ltd. - During the IIAD Design Talks she spoke about the new methodology of design, the need for design, the hierarchy of design, etc. She emphasised that to design for a better future it would be important to take into account the seven super-senses which will reshape the world of design in the next decades as Human sense, Natural sense, Economic sense, Cognitive sense, Technology sense, Aesthetic sense and Evolutionary sense. She also added that it is the new age designer’s responsibility to create such dynamics in society which can make a difference to the whole world. Of all the assignments she has been a part of, she felt that “Design for Behaviour Change” has changed the perception of people around the country. She also appreciated the idea of creating a space to bridge the design gap between industry and academia. She felt it would help designers to be challenged and dare to create a better future by constantly designing, acting and reacting.

Nohar Nath

Founder Kiabza, a recommerce platform that enables users to buy and sell pre-owned branded products, participated at IIAD Design Talks webinar on Circularity of the Consumer Textiles and Sustainability. He shared with the students the ways, other than recommerce, that the startup practises circularity as a brand. He started with sharing his personal journey - how the idea of Kiabza came into being and its marketability. He spoke about how profitability and sustainability happen together at Kiabza. Nohar talked to students on his startup’s various processes - upcycling, redesigning techniques used, consigning, supply chain (how and what are the channels through which garments are procured), target consumers and the future recommerce categories. He also spoke about the selection criteria for accepting the used garments and the effect of the pandemic on Kiabza’s sales.  Above all, he enlightened the students on the measures to reduce carbon footprint and the concept of circularity (make-use-reuse-upcycle-recycle-make) to design a more sustainable future.

SUJATA BISWAS AND TANIYA BISWAS

Founders Suta, a design house that creates sarees  with a blend of tradition and contemporaneity. The two Mumbai based young entrepreneurs, who started their journey in 2016 with two weavers are now working with a strength of 2500+ weavers across India. Sarees hanging in varandas has always given them that homely vibe and inspired them to bring traditional, minimal weaves to the modern mainstream fashion scenario . Speaking at the IIAD Design Talks they shared how Suta as a brand aimed to let young working women revisit sarees as an everyday wear and not just an occasion wear. They strongly believe in a mantra which says “Tell, Do not sell”. They emphasised  that the world out there should know your story so storytelling is equally important.They talked about modern techniques used for broadcasting stories and to spread the word through community Testimonials, Emailers, Podcasts, SEO blogs, Social media descriptions and many more. They elaborated how the beauty of the cultural diversity in India helped them conceive their vision. They also talked about how COVID-19 gave a boost to slow timeless fashion, which emphasises a shift of interest and preference towards mindful design, transparency, and conscious consumerism.

ROHIT KRISHAN GULATI 

Founder and Director, Incubis Consulting Pvt Ltd & Principal Architect at Incubis Architects, one of India’s leading architecture and design firms.Talking at IIAD Design Talks, he spoke about - “Imagining Barista” and the evolution of its space. While explaining the project he talked about the concept of site-specific design adaptation and its importance while creating manuals and dynamic standards for architectural designs. He shared insights on strategic design planning which happens through thinking, co-creation and delivery. He explained how good designs consider the importance of sustainability, emphasising on the importance of research before starting the design. He also spoke about the transition of hand drawing to computer aided design. He has been at the forefront of design and strategy in the ’frugal-innovation’ for Ginger ‘Smart’ hotels. 

ABHISHEK BIJ

Principal Partner and Lead Designer at Design Plus Architect, his views on computational design, ethics of practice, architectural design processes are widely presented and published. Participating at the IIAD Design Talks webinar, he shared his thoughts about technical integration used in architectural design, appreciating all the brilliant software available for designing that helps in simulating design in the interior and architectural world. He also quoted, “learning design definitely gives us wings to push our fetishes”. He laid stress on sustainability being our collective moral responsibility. He also talked about parametric methods of design in architecture which helps students to set the right target. He concluded the speech by suggesting students not to limit themselves to certain ideas when it comes to design as imagination is the most powerful tool for all the future designs.