Saurabh Tewari

Published: Design for development 2.0?

2/9/2021

Design for development 2.0? Revisiting the Ahmedabad Declaration and discourse of design in India
presented at 2019 WDO Research and Education Forum, Hyderabad

As the seminal India Report laid the foundation for the National Institute of Design (2013), a decade later, inspired by HfG Ulm and shaped by its local conditions (Rane, 2017), the Industrial Design Centre at IIT Bombay emerged as another hub for Industrial Design Education in India. Together they formed the two ideological cradles, where the first formal discourse of Industrial Design in India occurred. Reflecting on the projects, pedagogical models and philosophy from India, including Balaram (2005), Vyas (2010), Ranjan (2015), particularly IDC and NID, the paper here teases out the potential paths to pursue in the current scenario of design education in India and the larger developing world.

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Published: Towards an ontological expansion of design

31/8/2021

Towards an ontological expansion of design: Thematic threads to advance the next design education paradigm
presented at 2019 WDO Research and Education Forum, Hyderabad

The new millennium widened the forms and perception of design as ‘Objects, Communications, Spaces, Events, Services, Systems, Environments, Organisations, Futures’ and associated it with ‘the idea of transformation’ (Ranjan, 2015). This expansion of forms and the idea of transformation is pertinent to the urgency displayed in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015). Be it Responsible Production and Consumption (SDG 12), Sustainable Cities and Communities, or Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3), the design has a role, agency and ability to critically and constructively address each of the seventeen SDGs poignantly. The author argues that the 'design' needs to be expanded to work in the larger world, with plural world-views, in facilitating the process. The paper elaborates thematic threads, which Design Education (DE) structures and networks can pursue to advance the next paradigm in its pedagogy. This paradigm (or paradigms) will surely be more relatable to the context and localities, and empathetic to the users and the mother earth. Elaborating the threads as critical practice will also allow DE to offer integrated solutions (UNDP, 2019) towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Research Published: Visual Alankars

30/4/2021

Visual Alankars: Toward a Decolonized Visual Design Framework
Authors: Raina Singh and Saurabh Tewari

The research aims to experimentally evolve visual design fundamentals by borrowing literary principles from Hindi Vyakaran (Hindi grammar system). Alankars, which are literary devices in Hindi Vyakaran, are used to enrich literary compositions through the playfulness of structure and enhanced meaning. This study methodologically explores Alankars in the context of visual design. The pragmatics of the research employs Madhubani folk-art tradition from the region of Mithila in India. Compositions using visual elements and styles of traditional Madhubani folk-art attempt to understand the structures and meanings of Shabd Alankar and Artha Alankar in the research. The study highlights the potential of indigenous knowledge systems to offer a methodological lens for visual design research.

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Research Published: Dots and Lines

29/4/2021

Dots and Lines: Indian Folk and Tribal Art Inspired Activities for Kids
Authors: Rinki Sambhani and Saurabh Tewari

Moving beyond the models of passive learning through secondary sources, the design aims at employing an interpreted form of indigenous design tradition to engage children in various creative art and craft activities. In this case, the Gond paintings of Madhya Pradesh and its visual forms are explored to create an activity kit. The methodology in designing the learning tool involved a series of steps to conceptualise, develop and synthesise a designed product. The dots and lines activity book and the Gond art learning kit inspire kids to pursue creative art and craft activities at an early age.

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Research Published: PowerPost

29/4/2021

PowerPost: A Framework for Designing Visual Political Communication
Authors: Anik Ghosh and Saurabh Tewari

Visual media is an essential medium of political communication which is used by various stakeholders in democracies. However, most people engaging in political discourse are not professionally trained in design and are unable to communicate their messages effectively through visual media. The process of designing visual political communication (VPC) can be made more effective by incorporating domain-specific design principles in the design process. These design principles are identified by an examination of existing research on perception and cognition of VPC and analysis of its useful examples. An application, PowerPost, is proposed based on the basis of this analysis.

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IDC Alumni Award Talk

20/1/2021

Honoured to be speaking at IDC Alumni Awards Talk Series on 23rd January, 2021 | 16:00 hrs.

Image Credit: IDC, IIT Bombay

ICoRD Presentations

11/1/2021

Co-presented at #ICoRD21 Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay with Raina Singh, Anik Ghosh, Rik Bhattacharjee and Rinki Sambhani. It was an honour to present the project explorations-turned-papers to the Design Research fraternity. It also allowed us to reflect more on the methodological, pedagogical and critical components of the Design Research at Department of Design SPA Bhopal Thanks to all the chairs (Profs Peer Sathikh, Ravi Mokashi Punekar, Mazhar Kamran, Shilpa Ranade) and audience for the valuable feedback.

118 Theories of Design(ing)

19/11/2020

Thanks to the editors Paul Rodgers and Craign Bremner for this witty addition to the discourse of Design. I am one of the contributors in the book 118 Theories of Design(ing) with:
#68 A Jugaad Theory of Design[ing]
#69 A Gandhian Theory of Design[ing]
#70 A Rasa Theory of Design[ing]

Proud to be listed along the heroes like Arturo Escobar and Rachel Cooper

National Education Policy 2020, a Paradigm Shift in Higher Education?

21/10/2020

In this short article, I am sharing some of the points I discussed in a panel on the National Education Policy 2020 at my alma mater, Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon last week. I argue that how the National Education Policy 2020 is the much-needed paradigm shift in the Education & Academic sector. Though top-down, as a policy, it is going to revolutionise not just education and the whole idea of education in our society.

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Ziro Valley and Gandhi

2/10/2020

मौजूदा विकास-विमर्श के बरक्स भी अपने खास संदर्भ और देश-काल के अनुरूप ऐसे कुछ प्रमाण हैं जो सतत विकास की ज्ञान प्रणालियों को बचाए रखने में सक्षम रहे हैं। यह शोध आलेख एक ऐसे ही प्रकरण पर केन्द्रित है और जिसकी नीचे केस स्टडी के बतौर चर्चा की गई है। यह प्रसंग विकास के अगले प्रतिमान में गांधीवादी सिद्धांतों को दर्शाने और मुख्यधारा में आगे बढ़ाने की क्षमता रखता है।

आगे पढ़ें

Urban Landscape of Bithoor: Between its Pratha and Praja

7/9/2020

Separated by a thousand kilometres of land, connected by the moving water of river Ganges, Bithoor and Kolkata, both, reflect the historicity of Indian water-aligned towns. Curiously, Bithoor was the last seat for the Marathas and Kolkata canal system begins with the 'Maratha Ditch' to keep the Marathas out of the British town. Both the towns witnessed water integral to the development of their civilization. On one thread of history, Kolkata has thrived through its geopolitical location and vibrant ecosystem, on the other, Bithoor subdued as its last patron, Marathas, lost to British. In the 1860s, British chose nearby Cawnpore (Kanpur) over Bithoor as one of the major railway junctions and trade centers, which did not help the town's future. While the rest of the book navigates through the channels of Kolkata as its physical context, this ethnographic photo essay makes an attempt to narrate the embedded warp and wrath of pratha (traditions) and praja (people) of Bithoor. A small settlement near the industrial metropolis of Kanpur and one of the oldest living towns in the world, Bithoor showcases another type of cultural landscape to add to the contextual and typological richness of the possible landscape urbanism discourses captured in this book. However, despite its rich heritage and glorious past, the town, today, laments the ignorance and abuse of its dwellers and users, much like the canals of Kolkata facing now. The author originally composed the narration in Hindi, the native speech of Bithoor. While following the native version closely, he has presented a bilingual narrative here for a wider readership.

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What is jugaad?

1/9/2020

The developing world witnesses material and capital scarcity in its everyday life. This condition has led to many people finding contextual solutions to problems that arise with a product or service. The solutions are indigenous, flexible, and organic and originate through innovative fixes created by the users themselves. Jugaad is one such problem-solving approach yielding quick fixes in constrained socio-economic conditions. It is a creative approach which utilizes few resources and delivers contextual results for the users. It often caters not just to need but also to aspirations through its function or expression.

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Product Semantics

25/8/2020

Do designed products communicate? How? What? Is there any scientific method to study the semantics of design?

Yes, there is 'Product Semantics'. Sharing a piece developed based only learning experience (through Prof Uday Athavankar, IDC IIT B) and teaching experience (at BArch, SPA Bhopal) on the subject.

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Kalaa

31/7/2020

Kalaa is a word from the Indian art tradition which is often used as a parallel or as a translation of the word “art.” However, the synonym is just superficial. Indology scholars argue that the translation of the Sanskrit word “kalaa” as “art” does not justify the contextual richness and historical layering of the word. The Indian roots of “to design” and “to delve into the practice of innovation” go back to the ancient texts.

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Design Samvãd 26 | Aman Sadana

29/6/2020

Design Samvãd 26 | Aman Sadana
Journey of a Project in a Design Studio
Recorded on Monday, May 11, 2020
Hosted by Saurabh Tewari
Department of Design
School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
www.design.spab.ac.in

Speaker's Bio
Aman Sadana is an Industrial Designer, who specializes in consumer electronics and home appliances. Over the past decade, he has been a part of the Design Studios of LG Electronics, Kohler, Lumium and Tata Elxsi. He is currently working on Atomberg's foray into kitchen appliances. After graduating in Architecture from SSAA, he went on to pursue his Master of Design from IIT Delhi. His work encompasses everyday objects like Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Ceiling fans, Water Purifiers and Mobile Phones. As a part of the Design Research & Strategy team, he travels extensively to discover insights, greenhouse ideas and develop new product concepts.

Good Bye Prof Vikas Satwalekar

27/6/2020

Just heard about the tragic departure of Prof Vikas Satwalekar, the Design Guru from NID. We VC guys in IDC were fortunate to have studied a module under him. Regret of never connecting him back during all these years in between. Sharing the three of the posters I made during his workshop on Poster Design in 2009.

Design Samvãd 28 by Kimya Gandhi

24/6/2020

Design Samvãd 28 | Kimya Gandhi
My experiments with Type
Recorded on Friday, May 15, 2020
Hosted by Saurabh Tewari
Department of Design
School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
design.spab.ac.in

Speaker's Bio
Kimya Gandhi is a type designer from Mumbai with a passionate interest in Indic scripts. Kimya is a partner at the type foundry, Mota Italic where she specialises in creating new and innovative retail and custom Devanagari typefaces. When not designing, she teaches type design and typography at various design institutes in and around Mumbai. She studied Communication Design at NIFT Bombay and IDC IIT Bombay.

Mango Mania by Laurie Baker

22/5/2020

Revisiting the artwork by Laurie Baker which he made out of waste. All the collages followed a simple visual rule, go mangoes. See more at http://dsource.in/gallery/mango-mania

News Update from CAA - 2020 CAA-Getty International Program Participants

17/3/2020

2020 CAA-Getty International Program Participants, photo by Stacey Rupolo.

Front row, left-right: Julia Waite (New Zealand), Saurabh Tewari (India), Daria Jaremtchuk (Brazil), Ali Mahfouz (Egypt), Akande Abiodun (Nigeria), Aleksandra Paradowska (Poland), Iro Katsaridou (Greece), Priya Maholay-Jaradi (Singapore), Giuliana Vidarte (Peru); Back row, left-right: Valeria PazMoscoso (Bolivia), Nora Veszpremi (Hungary/UK), Eiman Elgibreen (Saudi Arabia), Pedith Chan (Hong Kong), Mariana Levytska (Ukraine), Daniela Lucena (Argentina), Katarzyna Cytlak (Poland), Daria Panaiotti (Russia), Jean-Arsène Yao (Côte d’Ivoire), Irene Bronner (South Africa); Not pictured: Ganiyu Jimoh (Nigeria)

Original news update here

Lecture at NYU

18/2/2020

Today, I presented a lecture, Designama: Shifting Positions of Design in India, at the New York University, 4-5 pm, 18 Feb at IDM, Room #324, 370 Jay St., Brooklyn, Department of Technology, Culture and Society, NYU. Thanks to Ahmed Ansari for hosting me at New York.

Presented at SAIC, Chicago: Critical Pedagogy in Design in India

11/2/2020

Today, I reflected on 'Critical Pedagogy in Design in India' in the Panel on Design Pedagogy at College Art Association and Get International Program organised at School of Art Institute of Chicago. Our panel included Pedith Chan (Hong Kong) as the Moderator and presentations by Dr Priya Maholay-Jaradi (Singapore) and Eiman Elgibraan (Saudi Arabia). Thanks to Ali Mahfouz and Pearlie Rose Baluyut for the images.

Distinguished Alumnus Award from IDC IIT Bombay

8/1/2020

There is no greater joy than being recognised by your alma mater — sincere gratitude IDC IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design IIT Bombay). Thanks to all my teachers, friends, colleagues, students and family.

2020 CAA-GETTY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

15/11/2019

"At a one-day preconference colloquium, to be held this year at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the fifteen new participants will discuss key issues in the international study of art history together with five CAA-Getty alumni and several CAA members from the United States, who also will serve as hosts throughout the conference."

As a CAA-Getty International Program Fellow, I will be attending CAA Annual Conference and Fellowship Program in Chicago, February 2020.

Autobiography of Bithoor, available again

12/11/2019

Autobiography of Bithoor from Saurabh Tewari on Vimeo.

BReUCom Project Meeting at Danube University Krems

26/10/2019

As part of the School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal's BReUCom (Building Resilience in Urban Communities) project team, we presented the updates on the following four case studies being carried out at the institution:

Craft, Culture and Community - Learning Resilience from the Ziro Valley, Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Transformative Resilience: The case of Two Communities in Transition, Gazdhar Bandh and Kalbadevi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Enhancing Institutional and Community Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in the Jodhpur City - Heat Stress, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Enhancing Institutional and Community Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in the Jodhpur City - Water Stress, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Building Resilient Urban Communities (BReUCom) is a project funded under European Union Erasmus+ Program in the field of Capacity Building in Higher Education. SPA Bhopal has collaborated with Danube University Krems Austria, University of Twente, KRVIA Mumbai, SPA Vijayawada, NIT Hamirpur (HP) and the Indian NGOs SPARC and CURE to develop case studies, courses and professional development programmes in the emerging field of Urban Resilience.

Note: This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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