Design • Academic Facilitation • Research • Strategy • Textile
Akshaya Manoj M P is a young social designer and academic facilitator, with a Master of Design (M.Des.) specialisation in Design Strategy from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Gandhinagar, and a Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) in Textile Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Kannur, her native district.
Akshaya was born in Kannur, Kerala and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Her schooling has been in Chennai.
Akshaya has been recognized as one of the top 20 designers under the age of 35 ("20under35"), by studioiF & Audacity, for the 15th Annual Design X Design Exhibition 2025, showing her work (in the industrial lifestyle product category) at the Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Française de Delhi in February 2025.
She is passionate about creating meaningful solutions, through research, strategy and innovation, that blend design with social-centred design and impact at the grassroots level.
She has been engaged as a consultant and designer for social community projects in Jharkhand. One of her engagements has been with Care Form Labs Pvt Ltd, a menstrual health venture, developing strategy to reposition the venture, including its offering and social outreach. Further, she has been working on a project with Pramod Priya Ranjan, on contemporization of Indigenous wall art of Jharkhand for the practicing community, through products, services and outreach service plan.
Akshaya have academic facilitation experience at premier institutes like the BITS Design School of BITS Pilani in Mumbai, and the School of Design Innovation of Mahindra University in Hyderabad.
Throughout her journey, Akshaya has contributed to impactful industrial projects and ventures. This includes the ARTISANS’ Art Gallery and Shop, where she contributed to the role of design strategy to reposition the brand’s strategy post-pandemic. She also worked with Fabric Monde as a textile designer, focusing on print development, quality assurance, and trend analysis.
ACADEMIA
Master of Design (M.Des.)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Gandhinagar.
Specialised in Design Strategy, with courses including Brand Positioning, Design Methods, and Research.
2021 - 2023
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Gandhinagar.
Specialised in Design Strategy, with courses including Brand Positioning, Design Methods, and Research.
2021 - 2023
Recognition
Awarded Best Post-Graduation Project Award, Master of Design, 2023, NIFT Gandhinagar, for the dissertation project.
Awarded Best Post-Graduation Project Award, Master of Design, 2023, NIFT Gandhinagar, for the dissertation project.
Dissertation Project
Funded by: DCH Ministry of Textiles, GoI.
Location: Kannur, Kerala, India.
Period: January 2023 - May 2023
Engagement: Proposal writing, research and analysis, problem identification, and solution (strategy).
Project: “Design strategy to connect Kannur handloom cooperative to existing online platforms” - SWOT, PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of cooperatives through research. Partnered cooperative from Kannur with two organisations that sell and promote handlooms of India.
Funded by: DCH Ministry of Textiles, GoI.
Location: Kannur, Kerala, India.
Period: January 2023 - May 2023
Engagement: Proposal writing, research and analysis, problem identification, and solution (strategy).
Project: “Design strategy to connect Kannur handloom cooperative to existing online platforms” - SWOT, PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of cooperatives through research. Partnered cooperative from Kannur with two organisations that sell and promote handlooms of India.
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Kannur.
Degree in Textile Design, with courses including Print and Weave Development, Craft Research, and Textile Science.
2016 - 2020
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Kannur.
Degree in Textile Design, with courses including Print and Weave Development, Craft Research, and Textile Science.
2016 - 2020
Recognition
Top-30 in Excellence in Tasar Silk Weaving competition (student category) sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Development (Govt. Of India) and implemented by PRADAN.
Top-30 in Excellence in Tasar Silk Weaving competition (student category) sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Development (Govt. Of India) and implemented by PRADAN.
Graduation Project
Organization: Shyamili Exports.
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Period: January 2020 - May 2020
Engagement: Design (Textile).
Project: “Home decor collection for infants and toddlers” - The collection included bed, bib, bolster, bumper, swaddle, pillow, and soft toy.
Organization: Shyamili Exports.
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Period: January 2020 - May 2020
Engagement: Design (Textile).
Project: “Home decor collection for infants and toddlers” - The collection included bed, bib, bolster, bumper, swaddle, pillow, and soft toy.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
20under35 - Design X Design Exhibition 2025
For the work at Care Form Labs Pvt Ltd - Recognized as one of the top 20 designers under the age of 35 ("20under35"), by studioiF & Audacity, for the 15th Annual Design X Design Exhibition 2025, showing her work (in industrial lifestyle product category) at the Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Française de Delhi in February 2025.
For the work at Care Form Labs Pvt Ltd - Recognized as one of the top 20 designers under the age of 35 ("20under35"), by studioiF & Audacity, for the 15th Annual Design X Design Exhibition 2025, showing her work (in industrial lifestyle product category) at the Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Française de Delhi in February 2025.
PAPER PRESENTATIONS
International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices: Designing Sustainable Futures
• Presented an accepted abstract of a co-authored paper titled "Jharkhand’s Indigenous Art: Preservation, Promotion, and Contemporary Adaptations" at the International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices: Designing Sustainable Futures, organized by Anant National University on 22nd February 2025.
• Co-authors: Pramod Priya Ranjan and Prof. Saurav Khuttiya Deori.
February 2025
• Presented an accepted abstract of a co-authored paper titled "Jharkhand’s Indigenous Art: Preservation, Promotion, and Contemporary Adaptations" at the International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices: Designing Sustainable Futures, organized by Anant National University on 22nd February 2025.
• Co-authors: Pramod Priya Ranjan and Prof. Saurav Khuttiya Deori.
February 2025
National Conference on Preserving the Handicrafts Heritage of India, theme of the conference was ‘Reimagining Handicrafts in the Contemporary Era and Vision Viksit Bharat@2047: Past, Present, and Prospects’
• Gave an Oral Presentation of an accepted co-authored paper titled "Jharkhand’s Indigenous Art: Evolution and Strategic Pathways Forward" at the National Conference on Preserving the Handicrafts Heritage of India. The theme of the conference was ‘Reimagining Handicrafts in the Contemporary Era and Vision Viksit Bharat@2047: Past, Present, and Prospects.’ It was co-organized by the Symbiosis Center for Behavioral Studies, the Symbiosis Institute of Design, and the Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design, with support from the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), and Symbiosis International University.
• Co-authors: Pramod Priya Ranjan and Prof. Saurav Khuttiya Deori.
January 2025
• Gave an Oral Presentation of an accepted co-authored paper titled "Jharkhand’s Indigenous Art: Evolution and Strategic Pathways Forward" at the National Conference on Preserving the Handicrafts Heritage of India. The theme of the conference was ‘Reimagining Handicrafts in the Contemporary Era and Vision Viksit Bharat@2047: Past, Present, and Prospects.’ It was co-organized by the Symbiosis Center for Behavioral Studies, the Symbiosis Institute of Design, and the Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design, with support from the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), and Symbiosis International University.
• Co-authors: Pramod Priya Ranjan and Prof. Saurav Khuttiya Deori.
January 2025
FACILITATION OF ACADEMIC COURSES AT MAHINDRA UNIVERSITY
Design Exploration (Apparel Design) course
• Faculty: Prof. Sanya Donald
• Teaching Assistant: Akshaya Manoj M P
• Batch: 11 students
• Period: 2 Weeks (February 2025 - March 2025)
• Faculty: Prof. Sanya Donald
• Teaching Assistant: Akshaya Manoj M P
• Batch: 11 students
• Period: 2 Weeks (February 2025 - March 2025)
FACILITATION OF ACADEMIC MODULES AT BITS DESIGN SCHOOL MUMBAI
DES F102.2 Material Studies Labs module
• Faculty: Prof. Samir Parker and Prof. Gaurav Shergill
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Aditya De
• Batch: 1 Section (35 students)
• Period: 4+ Weeks (January 2025 - February 2024)
• Faculty: Prof. Samir Parker and Prof. Gaurav Shergill
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Aditya De
• Batch: 1 Section (35 students)
• Period: 4+ Weeks (January 2025 - February 2024)
DES F113 Professional & Personal Development module
• Faculty: Prof. Nandita Abraham
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Batch: 4 Sections (140 students)
• Period: Semester-long (July 2024 - December 2024)
• Faculty: Prof. Nandita Abraham
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Batch: 4 Sections (140 students)
• Period: Semester-long (July 2024 - December 2024)
DES F112 Design Methods 101 module
• Faculty: Prof. Khushboo Jogani and Prof. Lakshmi S.
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Batch: 2 Sections (70 students)
• Period: 4 Weeks (September 2024 - October 2024)
• Faculty: Prof. Khushboo Jogani and Prof. Lakshmi S.
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Batch: 2 Sections (70 students)
• Period: 4 Weeks (September 2024 - October 2024)
DES F102.1 Material Studies Lab module
• Faculty: Prof. Samir Parker
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P
• Batch: 1 Section (35 students)
• Period: 7 Weeks (July 2024 - September 2024)
• Faculty: Prof. Samir Parker
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P
• Batch: 1 Section (35 students)
• Period: 7 Weeks (July 2024 - September 2024)
FACILITATION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AT BITS DESIGN SCHOOL MUMBAI
Gathering: “Vijay Kumar x ADI (Association of Designers of India)
Co-designed and co-curated an event gathering titled "Vijay Kumar x ADI (Association of Designers of India)," organized by BITS Design School Mumbai, and supported by ADI (Association of Designers of India) Mumbai, on 9th January 2025. Vijay Kumar, Professor Emeritus and the Charles L. Owen Endowed Chair in Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, 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. He also highlighted emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and 3D and their transformative potential in governance and sustainability. The gathering was attended by over 50 industry professionals in addition to the faculty and students of BITSDES. Prior to the event, facilitated an academic session between Vijay Kumar and students of BITS Design School, and another academic session titled "AI & Design: A Tectonic Shift" by Prapti Jha and Harsh Wardhan, associates of Vijay Kumar.
Co-designed and co-curated an event gathering titled "Vijay Kumar x ADI (Association of Designers of India)," organized by BITS Design School Mumbai, and supported by ADI (Association of Designers of India) Mumbai, on 9th January 2025. Vijay Kumar, Professor Emeritus and the Charles L. Owen Endowed Chair in Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, 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. He also highlighted emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and 3D and their transformative potential in governance and sustainability. The gathering was attended by over 50 industry professionals in addition to the faculty and students of BITSDES. Prior to the event, facilitated an academic session between Vijay Kumar and students of BITS Design School, and another academic session titled "AI & Design: A Tectonic Shift" by Prapti Jha and Harsh Wardhan, associates of Vijay Kumar.
Lift-off week: “Ctrl+Alt+Create (Speculative Design)” for B.Des. Semester 2
Co-designed and co-curated a Lift-off week titled "Ctrl+Alt+Create" for a new academic semester (B.Des. Semester 2) at BITS Design School Mumbai. The Lift-off week was themed on futuristic design, with (1) a few hands-on workshops by external experts, (2) a hackathon-like design activity titled "Makeathon", and (3) guest lectures on the theme, which was a week-long engagement, from 6th January 2025 till 10th January 2025.
Co-designed and co-curated a Lift-off week titled "Ctrl+Alt+Create" for a new academic semester (B.Des. Semester 2) at BITS Design School Mumbai. The Lift-off week was themed on futuristic design, with (1) a few hands-on workshops by external experts, (2) a hackathon-like design activity titled "Makeathon", and (3) guest lectures on the theme, which was a week-long engagement, from 6th January 2025 till 10th January 2025.
Mentoring: “Innovation and Making Club”
Mentored the "Innovation and Making Club" of BITS Design School Mumbai, for 7 months, from August 2024 till February 2025.
Mentored the "Innovation and Making Club" of BITS Design School Mumbai, for 7 months, from August 2024 till February 2025.
Workshop: “Tie and Dye”
Conducted a workshop on "Tie and Dye" organised by the Innovation and Making Club of BITS Design School Mumbai, in November 2024.
Conducted a workshop on "Tie and Dye" organised by the Innovation and Making Club of BITS Design School Mumbai, in November 2024.
Conference: “Care, Value, Place: Building Design-led Project Frameworks with Community,” in collaboration with John Thackara, in partnership with RMIT University, Melbourne.
Co-designed and co-curated (as a member of the Experience and Delegate team) an international conference titled "Care, Value, Place: Building Design-led Project Frameworks with Community", hosted by BITS Design School Mumbai in partnership with RMIT University, Melbourne, in September 2025. The conference is curated by Prof. John Thackara, Writer, Curator, Professor at Tongji University, and advisor to BITS Design School. In "Care, Value, Place", over two days, a group of experienced project leaders, together with expert contributors, collaborated to identify the practical steps that can be taken, right now, to effect lasting, positive systemic change. At the closing segment, Don Norman, advisor of BITS Design School, shared his views on the collaborative projects developed by the provocateurs and the inputs from the contributors, providing a deeper perspective on the work they had undertaken.
Co-designed and co-curated (as a member of the Experience and Delegate team) an international conference titled "Care, Value, Place: Building Design-led Project Frameworks with Community", hosted by BITS Design School Mumbai in partnership with RMIT University, Melbourne, in September 2025. The conference is curated by Prof. John Thackara, Writer, Curator, Professor at Tongji University, and advisor to BITS Design School. In "Care, Value, Place", over two days, a group of experienced project leaders, together with expert contributors, collaborated to identify the practical steps that can be taken, right now, to effect lasting, positive systemic change. At the closing segment, Don Norman, advisor of BITS Design School, shared his views on the collaborative projects developed by the provocateurs and the inputs from the contributors, providing a deeper perspective on the work they had undertaken.
