Introduction
We all know that design has existed in our multifaceted country for decades now. Design drips in our vernacular art-forms, in our tangible and intangible forms of heritage and in our cutting edge contemporary arts. The formal education related to design and understanding the term and what it encapsulates only began in the year 1961, with the advent of the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. The design education that was taught in the institute was heavily inspired by Western concepts of Bauhaus and other consequential art movements that were established post World War 2.
What is a Design?
However, before we see how Design is taught in our country. We need to understand ‘What Design Is’ Design is a rather vague term which can be incorporated within fashion, products, arts, architecture, etc. Design is believed to be a creative solution to a lot of our problems, it’s the process of coming up with a solution related to branding and marketing any commodity. While design education teaches its students how to think critically about design and brainstorm unique solutions to our modern age problems. Indian design curriculum looks back at our vast and traditional pantheon of arts, literature and knowledge to learn about how thinkers and practitioners came up with solutions in their time and region. Design isn’t now simply about aesthetics but charts into the profitability and business of products and commodities. Indian design education teaches its students on how to become efficient designers through the ability to think critically and creatively.
Design Market in India
Design in India was initially used for social services and in the social sector, post liberalisation, the market expanded and many manufacturing companies and business came up. This provided new services to graphic designers, illustrators, etc who can come up with creative ways to market their products. Many logos were designed, comics were made, advertisements were printed and it opened up the country to a global market.
Need of Design Education in India
In today’s dynamic market, sectors like automobiles, housing, furniture, fashion, apparel, consumer electronics, films, and media present an abundance of options distinguished by design to meet varied consumer expectations. The rising demand for designers necessitates design education to be flexible, pertinent, and adaptive to technology. Under this framework, design education becomes agile, practical, hands-on, and an optimal blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Design education has an extensive curriculum now and there are branches that students can choose from – there is Product and Industrial Design, Communication Design, Fashion and Textiles, Space Design, Interaction Design and Moving Images. Each module delves into the pragmatic aspect and practical aspect more than theory.
Indian Universities and Design Education
India had a sudden surge of many universities and colleges offering design education in their courses. Many leading universities such as Shiv Nadar University (SNU), Jindal Global University (JGU) and FLAME University — have launched undergraduate programmes in design. Over the past few years, other private universities have also taken the plunge into design. In 2020, Manipal Academy of Higher Education acquired Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology in Bengaluru. Anant National University (ANU) and J. K. Lakshmipat University (JKLU) have also launched undergraduate degrees in design.
Within Design education, a jury is appointed (consisting of professionals within the field) who assess the final projects given by the students, it involves evaluating the project through multiple critical lenses and indulging in great debate with the student regarding the project and specialisation. Students are required to showcase originality in their creations, frequently fostering intentional innovation.
What Can Design Teach?
Design thinking and critical thinking within the design realm can help any individual foster great creativity and also assess and understand market trends and gave one an insight into the human psyche. It teaches one to assess the role and need of good communication and how to make one’s product stand out. There are some other essential qualities of design education, as listed below:
- Design fosters empathy. Designing is all about solving problems and putting oneself in another person’s shoes and understand why they like what they like and what might propel them towards a particular product.
- Design builds Teams and Teamwork: Designers often work alone but may also to work and brainstorm with others and have a team of good professionals who can assess their designs well and provide constructive feedback when need be.
- Designers Have a Different Perspective: Design education helps foster a new way of seeing amongst its students. It urges students to look beyond the obvious and make creative changes, choices, etc. Designers pick up on things that a normal lay person may not, they veil or exaggerate some elements as and when required.
Design Education Goes Digital
Designing earlier entailed painfully sketching and hand-drawing layouts and creatives and putting them up on a moodboard or designboard. All of this has been changed now, now 3D Models and CAD softwares have replaced handmade drawings.There are virtual moodboards and 3D modelling softwares at play. This has revolutionised the way we see and teach design education. There are many online platforms, softwares, courses available that one can learn from. These courses and platforms provide a fresh perspective including cultural nuances in their teaching mechanisms.
Virtual and Augmented Reality and online educators have changed the landscape of design education in recent times. It is now more accessible, affordable as well as more inclusive. Students need to be willing to learn the new cutting edge ways of design thinking.
We are at that age wherein things are rapidly changing and evolving, our understanding of aesthetics, arts, technology, design and how these are taught is an aspect in it all. Design education was a niche subject just a few years ago, taught in a few universities with even few students. It has evolved in the 21st century, the advent of the internet and rapid growth in technology has changed the way we think. It has changed the way we see things and solve our 21st century problems. Design education is one such solution to those problems, it is teaching us to evaluate and assess everything creatively and give wings to our imagination!
Feature Image: NID Gandhinagar Campus| Courtesy: NID
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