Why Design Matters? Hear from Celebrated Design Scholar Prof. Usha Nehru Patel

Design is a multifaceted and collaborative pursuit that shapes the physical, digital, and experiential aspects of our world. At its essence, design is about problem-solving and creating solutions that enhance the human experience. It is not limited to aesthetics but encompasses functionality, usability, and sustainability..

Design plays a crucial role in various sectors, including technology, architecture, urban planning, healthcare, and education. It addresses complex issues such as accessibility, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Design is the cornerstone of innovative solutions, influencing everything from minute details to grand-scale projects. At its core, design reflects deep-rooted human behaviour, driven by empathy in the pursuit of comfort.

This edition's theme, "Design Matters," delves deeper, exploring the profound impact of design that goes beyond aesthetics. It aims to foster inquiry into the broader world of creative culture through wide-ranging conversations with the IIAD community and external voices. In these conversations, we attempt to ask critical questions: who benefits from design? Does it perpetuate existing inequalities? By examining design through these critical lenses, we can ensure it serves a more just and sustainable future.

The newsletter puts a spotlight on design interventions in the form of student works, faculty interventions, and activities—both individual and collective.

At IIAD, design is not just a concept; it's a catalyst for action. From craft-centric sustainable installations like the Shamiana at the Red Fort or puppets at the Indian Habitat Centre to impactful visual branding for global conferences like the Raisina Dialogue, design has been our versatile tool. We use it to create everything from accessible play cards for children with cerebral palsy to inclusive clothing collections for people with disabilities. Design becomes our platform for dialogue, empowering our students to raise critical questions about public space infrastructure, like the lack of facilities at Mandi House, or social issues like the urgent need for transitional housing for care leavers. It also fosters connections, allowing students to collaborate with artisans from remote and under-represented communities, learning from their traditional skills and adapting them for contemporary platforms, while also presenting their own unique collections at global platforms like Pepe Jeans Awards (London).

As always, we invite you to join the conversation. The future of design hinges on tackling critical questions like equity, sustainability and the newsletter is our contribution to this ongoing exploration.