Where science and art break even

'Design is one of the most powerful forces in our lives'. We may not realise it. It can be inspiring, empowering and enlightening. It should always be in the service of a better life.

Since the start of Bauhaus in Germany, one could see the impact of that thought of design all over the globe. India from the beginning, was a land of the creatives. Filled with rich culture, arts and crafts, languages,

dialects, dance forms and music. We could prsper well in any field, and the introduction of design was a great development for our country's inherent talents. But change takes time. While the world developed and reached the progressive stages of technology, India struggled with the very nature and thought of design. Nevertheless, design education is booming in India, some may even call it mushrooming. New design institutions are set up in collaboration with the foreign one's and courses are re-invented over time. Influence from the west is undenaible, impossible to ignore, considering how far we have come by adapting to it. This assimilation proves to be a threat as we may not be able to recognise what true Indian design identity is. Design fragmented in this country, there's a lot of chaos and ana cute shortage of great designers in the nation. There seems to be no mechanism in place to evaluate the contents of the programme. Our processes and outcomes need to be based out of an 'Indian need'. A need that is core to our Indian scenario and society. That is how design is authentic to each culture/ country. There is a bold question each designer needs to ask themselves, which indian are you? 'The one that apes the west or the one who contrubutes to the country's future.'

Design stems out of a need. Great design feeds on those needs, with the appropriate implementation of the message. Icons are never made in a fortnight. And although we all dream to be known for the work we do, it is important to realise the need that leads us to our work. There are icons who have built a platform, a standard of indian design in the internation world. They were the pioneers in Indian design, teh ones who truly understood the basis and crux of the society. The rare contemporaries who create the most honest and true designs, authentic and irreplacable. India is one of the few countried to have formulated and adopted a national design policy. Design education has seen a spurt of growth in the last five years or so. What we need to focus on is the 'empowerment' or the encouragement of good design in this country, that basis itself from the core of Indian culture, needs and makes it a strength to stand out, to progress and set a platform in the international market.

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