Ahmedabad: The sixth edition of Ahmedabad Design Week has launched with a focus on innovation and sustainability, featuring keynotes from industry leaders and workshops addressing current design themes, while celebrating achievements in the design field through the Venus Design Excellence Awards.
Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0 has kicked off with an ambitious focus on innovation and sustainability as it explores the theme “Shared Signatures.” The event, hosted in Ahmedabad, commenced on February 16, aiming to bring together a diverse collaborative environment that fosters creativity among designers, innovators, and thought leaders.
The inaugural day of the week-long event featured a keynote address from a distinguished roster of industry leaders. Among them were Ritesh Hada, President of Karnavati University; philanthropist Umang Hutheesing; and Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty. Pookutty remarked, “Design is not just about aesthetics; it is about storytelling through sound, visuals, and emotions.” His insights echoed throughout the event, stressing the importance of meaningful questions in design education as a means of fostering innovation.
Also present were Thomas Garvey, President of the World Design Organization, and Pradyumna Vyas, the President-elect of the organisation, both of whom underscored the significance of a global perspective in design. Vyas referred to Ahmedabad as the ‘Mecca’ of design, highlighting that it hosts India’s first design institute, the National Institute of Design (NID), which was established in 1951. He stated, “Designers today must break free from conventional approaches and embrace a global perspective to remain relevant in this dynamic landscape.”
In addition to keynotes, the event featured the prestigious Venus Design Excellence Awards, recognising notable contributions to the design field by individuals such as Dr. Vibhor, Urmila Kanoria, Dadi Pudumjee, and several others who have played key roles in enhancing India’s stature in the global design arena.
The programme included a lineup of workshops aimed at addressing relevant themes in design today. Renu Pokharna conducted a session on upcycling, highlighting wealth disparities in clothing consumption and the initiatives taken by India Recycles. Furthermore, Gajesh Mitkari from Studio Modak focused on personal branding, engaging participants in developing their unique brand identities.
Jay Thakkar explored game design as a medium for cultural storytelling, guiding attendees in transforming Indian epics into game formats. Meanwhile, Manish Bhatt of Scarecrow Communications provided an immersive experience into advertising, accentuating the power of storytelling and cultural relevance in branding.
The application of artificial intelligence and augmented reality in design was discussed by Nikunj Goyal, who emphasised the balance between foundational design skills and technological integration. The workshop led by Munwar Khan delved into the creative economy, highlighting the role of social media platforms in empowering creators and fostering innovation.
Sustainable fashion emerged as a focal topic with Kriti Tula from Doodlage speaking on ethical practices and the importance of circularity in the industry. She stated, “Circularity in fashion isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. Ethical design is the only way forward for a sustainable future.”
To broaden academic perspectives, students participated in industry visits, including to the studio of fashion designer Digvijay Singh and to India Type Foundry, offering insights into garment design and type development, respectively.
Through a series of discussions, workshops, and awards, the second day of Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0 showcased a multifaceted approach to contemporary design, emphasising the confluence of creativity, technology, and sustainability in shaping future narratives.
Source: Noah Wire Services
