India's design revolution starts on campus

-SANJEEV VIDYARTHI

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Like all historic civilisations, India has always housed design-oriented societies. Home to some of the oldest human populations on earth, the use of design as a practical problem-solving tool is deeply ingrained in Indian cultural and social practices.

From the rich architectural traditions to cleverly designed objects of everyday use, Indian traditions and customary practices reflect a deep respect for local context, human resourcefulness, and long-term sustainability of our communities, factors that comprise the basic tenets of current ideas about the use of design. This centuries-old, deep reservoir of design wisdom uniquely positions India to shape and lead a global design revolution, benefiting everyone on the planet.

India’s design ingenuity is already visible in our contemporary growth story. From thoughtfully developed interior spaces like the new airports and public digital systems like Aadhar to more formally ‘designed’ products like the UPI, design improvements have made everyday life a lot easier for everyone. While the visible evidence of better-designed living all around us is encouraging, much of it often begins in smaller clusters. To realise India’s presence and impact in the global design ecosystem, design needs to be mainstreamed for a broader, more meaningful impact on the larger society. And universities have a big role to play in nurturing the next generation of smart designers who can imagine a cleverer and sustainable future and shape the present through innovative solutions that serve the diverse people of our only planet together.