Living the Dream at IIAD

Design is an ambiguous term. Design to me is the art of inquiry and problem solving ability. The design process begins with envisioning an idea to imagining a story, conceptualising, co-creating, inventing and ultimately executing to realise the desired outcome. Designers are trained throughout their design education to identify, critically observe and resolve. Other professions may not be taught this skill formally on a day to day basis.

As an Architect, Interior Designer, Educator and Panelist, I enjoy speaking to large or small audience groups about design, design education, the purpose behind a design and the power of design itself.

I travel to different places to meet people, and design carries the conversation forward.

Having worked for MNCs and Indian firms, my goal as a designer has been to get my audience enthralled by the power of creation and design thinking —leaving them with interesting thoughts to ponder upon—opening gateways to a vision for the future.

The Indian Institute of Art and Design is a sanctuary— a sanctuary for thought, creation, innovation and constant discovery. Sometimes, I am lost in time and space at IIAD, on fortunate days I am experiencing “Ma*—the space in between” (here). Am I living a dream that I have been chasing for years? Truly enjoying what I do, every minute of the day, the focus has always been the students who are at the heart of learning.

Envisioned by Dr.Jitin Chadha and Prof. Usha Nehru Patel, IIAD is a story in itself, a story that weaves itself through everyday interactions, knowledge creation and transfer, a global approach and an expanding vision.

IIAD is my personal meditative space — a spiritual place of breathing in the creative moments and exhaling positive energy. Surrounded by people who are inspiring, who are carriers of a wealth of knowledge, IIAD is a veritable ashram of creative people.

We all have a dream to chase.

Have you been pursuing a dream/working for a mission? Are you aware of your purpose in life?

If not, is it not yet time to think about the mission/the dream? Is it not true that the purpose is what will redefine you, rejuvenate you and transform you in many ways at all stages of your personal and professional development?

Ma* – Ma (間) is a Japanese word which can be translated as “gap”, “pause”, “the space in between”. The Japanese space-time concept of ‘Ma’ creates peace of mind by identifying the power of “negative”.

Kanika seeks global industry disruption by spreading transformative, contemporary applications of Ma.

References:

Paramjit Singh: Paintings and Drawings. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vadehraart.com/paramjit-singh-solo17