Amity School of Design (ASD) organized a two day National Conference ‘DESCON-2019’ on the theme 'Design For All: Inclusive Design' at Amity University Noida Campus and an Exhibition was also held as part of the Conference to showcase the work of the Students of ‘Interior Design’ and ‘Product Design’.
The objective of the Conference was to review and analyse the contemporary contexts and explore and disseminate new dimensions of design for human diversity.
The Exhibition aimed to provide greater visibility to the work and activities conducted by ASD and also to showcase the technical capability and ability of our students to the Industry, primarily to increase placement and employment opportunities.
Inaugurating the conference, Padma Shri Awardee Smt. Sunita Kohli, Architectural Restorer emphasized that no study of architecture and planning is complete if it doesn’t provide inclusivity. It is important to imbibe the value of empathy, amongst students, towards those who are disabled. She remarked that there are less planners than needed, hence the need of the hour is to have efficient planners with a vision to make every place, product and service accessible for all and for planning inclusive smart cities. Padma Shri Smt Kohli advised that school of architecture and school of planning must work together and form an inclusive curriculum.
Ms. Ira Singhal, IAS urged the society to give disabled people opportunities to earn and be independent rather than helping them at every step, which makes them dependent for life. She pointed out that with increase in awareness about difficulties faced by disabled people, many organizations have planned and designed disabled friendly places, product and services which is an empowering step.
The exhibition was inaugurated on 14th March 2019.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Ms. Lipika Sud, President, Guild of Designers said that design is an abstract, intuitive and transcendental concept and we can see traces of designs and patterns in the nature itself. Addressing the students she said that creation and improvisation is a must, when it comes to forming new designs and therefore all of you must constantly keep looking for better patterns and designs. She encouraged the students to dream big, because only when one dreams big, there comes a possibility of achieving it. She insisted the students to become independent and their own brand in order to become successful entrepreneurs in the field of design.
Prof (Dr) Balvinder Shukla, Vice-Chancellor, Amity University averred that freedom, support and vision are integral elements of creativity. Without nurturing our creative faculties, we cannot even think of new ideas, let alone design. She apprised that in the current scenario, technology is playing a very important role in the field of graphic designing and architecture, and students in the field of design can use this opportunity to showcase their skill and talent to the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Architect Tarun Walecha lauded the exhibited work of the students and said that professionals can learn a lot from the young minds. He said that designs means a solution to problems and called upon the students to inculcate research into designs for creating designs as per societal needs
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ekta Singh, Acting Director, ASD said that design is such a field that has infinite scope because it involves creativity that has no end. She apprised that more than 50 entries had been showcased that the exhibition, which came from various intuitions across the country. She called upon the students to create their own niche and utilize the opportunity in the best way possible.
During the two day conference, a design completion was also organized which witnessed the participation of more than 25 students from various colleges across India including Pearl Academy, IVS School of Design, TES Polytechnic, Bangalore, Vastu Kala Academy College of Architecture amongst others.
The winner of the competition was Anandita Rao from Amity School of Design and Deepti Gupta, Ayush Paliwal and Tanvi Jain from Jagannath Institute of Communication and Design were declared as the first runner up.
During the conference technical sessions were conducted on pertinent topics including Inclusive Design - Policies, Strategies & Design of Spaces and Inclusive Technology & Products.