• Type: Lift-off
• Title: Ctrl+Alt+Create (Speculative Design)
• Period / Date: January 6, 2025 - January 10, 2025
• Organization: BITS Design School, BITS Pilani, Mumbai
• Engagement of Akshaya: Co-designed and co-curated the experience, as an Academic Fellow, with 5 other Academic Fellows.
• Title: Ctrl+Alt+Create (Speculative Design)
• Period / Date: January 6, 2025 - January 10, 2025
• Organization: BITS Design School, BITS Pilani, Mumbai
• Engagement of Akshaya: Co-designed and co-curated the experience, as an Academic Fellow, with 5 other Academic Fellows.
ABOUT / OBJECTIVE
A Lift-off week titled "Ctrl+Alt+Create" for a new academic semester at BITS Design School Mumbai. The Lift-off week was themed on futuristic/speculative design, with (1) a few hands-on workshops by external experts, (2) a hackathon titled "Makeathon" followed up by an exhibition, and (2) guest lectures on the theme, which was a week-long engagement.
A Lift-off week titled "Ctrl+Alt+Create" for a new academic semester at BITS Design School Mumbai. The Lift-off week was themed on futuristic/speculative design, with (1) a few hands-on workshops by external experts, (2) a hackathon titled "Makeathon" followed up by an exhibition, and (2) guest lectures on the theme, which was a week-long engagement.
PROCESS
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FLOW OF ACTIVITIES
Day 1 includes workshops on motion design, biomaterials, and other future-focused skills, equipping participants to think beyond the present. On subsequent days, students will form interest-based groups to create quick prototypes of their ideas, ranging from performances to digital experiences and physical models.
Day 1 includes workshops on motion design, biomaterials, and other future-focused skills, equipping participants to think beyond the present. On subsequent days, students will form interest-based groups to create quick prototypes of their ideas, ranging from performances to digital experiences and physical models.
1. Semester and lift-off week introduction
2. Workshops
• Artificial Intelligence • Ninaad Kothawade, Creative Director at NFT Asia, Designer, and Artist - conducted a session on design, technology, and creative exploration. Drawing from his experience in 3D modeling, AI, and digital media, he discussed the relevance of having a multidisciplinary approach. Emphasising on the role of curiosity in a designer’s journey whilst embracing uncertainty, Ninaad encouraged students to bring fresh perspectives to contribute to the evolving design landscape. The overall session gave students a broader understanding of design thinking, beyond traditional boundaries.
• Sustainable Fashion • Adrien Yakimov Roberts, Co-founder and Director, Elucidation - discussed sustainability in fashion, focusing on its role in shaping future design practices. The session also included a collaborative workshop where students explored costume design by reimagining the classic story of "Romeo and Juliet." Adrien encouraged students to incorporate diverse cultural backdrops and visual narratives into their work.
• Instruments Making • Kavish Seth, Independent Singer, Songwriter and Inventor, and Parvindar Singh, Musician, Instrument Maker, and Founder at Swarlay - worked with students to design and build musical instruments. The session focused on how materials shape sound and how craftsmanship influences music-making. Students experimented with different ideas, leading to discussions on creativity and the process of making music. Kavish found their ideas engaging and looks forward to more such sessions.
• Origami • Himanshu Agrawal, Origami Artist, Founder at Orukami - discussed art as a medium for self-expression and the role of design thinking in solving real-world challenges. He showcased the potential of emerging technologies, guiding students to think innovatively and apply their learning in transformative ways. The session encouraged participants to embrace originality and focus on creating impactful designs.
• Digital Art • Dhruva Deshpande, Design and Motion Specialist - conducted a workshop centered on integrating emotions and purpose into motion design rather than relying on trends. Dhruva guided participants on adding motion that enhances meaning, rather than creating visuals for aesthetic appeal alone. His approach aimed to inspire curiosity, offering fresh perspectives and insights into creating impactful and thoughtful design outputs.
• Artificial Intelligence • Ninaad Kothawade, Creative Director at NFT Asia, Designer, and Artist - conducted a session on design, technology, and creative exploration. Drawing from his experience in 3D modeling, AI, and digital media, he discussed the relevance of having a multidisciplinary approach. Emphasising on the role of curiosity in a designer’s journey whilst embracing uncertainty, Ninaad encouraged students to bring fresh perspectives to contribute to the evolving design landscape. The overall session gave students a broader understanding of design thinking, beyond traditional boundaries.
• Sustainable Fashion • Adrien Yakimov Roberts, Co-founder and Director, Elucidation - discussed sustainability in fashion, focusing on its role in shaping future design practices. The session also included a collaborative workshop where students explored costume design by reimagining the classic story of "Romeo and Juliet." Adrien encouraged students to incorporate diverse cultural backdrops and visual narratives into their work.
• Instruments Making • Kavish Seth, Independent Singer, Songwriter and Inventor, and Parvindar Singh, Musician, Instrument Maker, and Founder at Swarlay - worked with students to design and build musical instruments. The session focused on how materials shape sound and how craftsmanship influences music-making. Students experimented with different ideas, leading to discussions on creativity and the process of making music. Kavish found their ideas engaging and looks forward to more such sessions.
• Origami • Himanshu Agrawal, Origami Artist, Founder at Orukami - discussed art as a medium for self-expression and the role of design thinking in solving real-world challenges. He showcased the potential of emerging technologies, guiding students to think innovatively and apply their learning in transformative ways. The session encouraged participants to embrace originality and focus on creating impactful designs.
• Digital Art • Dhruva Deshpande, Design and Motion Specialist - conducted a workshop centered on integrating emotions and purpose into motion design rather than relying on trends. Dhruva guided participants on adding motion that enhances meaning, rather than creating visuals for aesthetic appeal alone. His approach aimed to inspire curiosity, offering fresh perspectives and insights into creating impactful and thoughtful design outputs.
3. Hackathon (name "Makeathon")
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4. Exhibition
Student groups presented their work from the Workshops and "Makeathon" in the form of an Exhibition, where guests from industry and academia were invited to discuss and give feedback to students.
Student groups presented their work from the Workshops and "Makeathon" in the form of an Exhibition, where guests from industry and academia were invited to discuss and give feedback to students.
5. Guest Lecture
Vijay Kumar, Professor Emeritus and the Charles L. Owen Endowed Chair in Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, facilitated an academic session between Vijay Kumar and students of BITS Design School. He shared his perspectives on addressing complex challenges through design. He emphasised on methodical, human-centric approaches to innovation in areas such as city planning, public health, and policy-making. Further, Prapti Jha and Harsh Wardhan, associates of Vijay Kumar, facilitated another academic session titled "AI & Design: A Tectonic Shift".
Vijay Kumar, Professor Emeritus and the Charles L. Owen Endowed Chair in Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, facilitated an academic session between Vijay Kumar and students of BITS Design School. He shared his perspectives on addressing complex challenges through design. He emphasised on methodical, human-centric approaches to innovation in areas such as city planning, public health, and policy-making. Further, Prapti Jha and Harsh Wardhan, associates of Vijay Kumar, facilitated another academic session titled "AI & Design: A Tectonic Shift".
6. Award ceremony and closure
The Lift-off week concluded with students voting for the best works, followed by an award ceremony.
The Lift-off week concluded with students voting for the best works, followed by an award ceremony.
Further, the Faculty team gave an overview of the academic courses, activities and timeline of the semester.
CONCLUSION / OUTCOME
Design students learned several key aspects of speculative design through workshops, hackathons, lectures and exhibitions.
Design students learned several key aspects of speculative design through workshops, hackathons, lectures and exhibitions.
1. Critical Thinking: Speculative design encouraged students to question current systems and imagine alternative futures.
2. Creative Problem-Solving: Hackathons pushed students to develop innovative solutions to hypothetical scenarios under time constraints.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with peers who engaged with different workshops enhanced the creative outcomes and collaboration ability of students.
4. Prototyping Futures: Exhibiting their work helped students present complex ideas and receive feedback.
5. Narrative Building: Students learned to create compelling stories around possible futures, linking design with social and technological change.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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