Budding designers experience a journey via India’s cultural heritage and modern print innovation

The students of GDP 1st Semester – Foundation, along with students from GDP and PGDP of the Graphic Design Department, undertook two enriching academic visits that provided them with a comprehensive understanding of India’s artistic legacy and the evolving landscape of print media. These experiential learning opportunities enhanced their visual literacy, creative thinking, and practical exposure to the world of art, design, and production.

The first visit took the students to the National Museum, New Delhi, one of India’s premier cultural institutions. Home to over 5,000 years of artistic and historical treasures, the museum offered the young designers an immersive walkthrough of India’s diverse cultural evolution. From sculptures and textiles to manuscripts and miniature paintings, the museum’s extensive exhibits allowed students to witness firsthand the craftsmanship and creativity of ancient civilizations.

Among the major highlights were the iconic artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization, including terracotta figures, seals, pottery, and the legendary Dancing Girl Bronze Statue, which left students in awe of early metallurgical skill and artistic expression. The galleries dedicated to the Maurya and Gupta periods showcased the refinement of classical Indian sculpture, while the Buddhist and Jain relics helped students understand the spiritual and philosophical depth embedded in India’s artistic traditions.

The museum’s collection of Chola bronzes, especially the celebrated Nataraja, offered an appreciation of dynamic form and symbolic meaning in metal casting. The ornate Mughal miniature paintings, textiles, and jewelry further reflected the richness of India’s decorative arts and regional aesthetics. To deepen their observational skills, the students sketched selected artifacts, focusing on form, composition, proportion, and historical relevance. This hands-on activity helped them connect classroom learning with real-world artistic examples, enriching their understanding of India’s cultural and visual heritage.

In the second part of their academic exposure, students from the Graphic Design Department visited the Print Media Expo at Bharat Mandapam, where they explored the rapidly advancing world of printing and packaging. The expo showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of print production. From digital printing and large-format machines to eco-friendly materials and advanced packaging solutions, the exhibition offered a practical look at the industry’s evolving trends.

Students also witnessed live demonstrations of fabric printing, screen printing, and sublimation printing, gaining insights into how different techniques influence texture, color quality, durability, and aesthetic results. These demonstrations highlighted the versatility and creative possibilities within print media, particularly in fashion, branding, and visual communication.

Interacting with industry professionals, exhibitors, and technical experts, students learned about printing processes, color management, material selection, workflow efficiency, and the role of design in real-world production environments. The visit enabled them to understand how a designer’s ideas translate from digital screens to tangible print outputs, reinforcing the importance of precision, creativity, and technical knowledge.

Together, the two visits offered a holistic learning experience—one rooted in India’s rich artistic past and the other in contemporary technological innovation. The exposure not only broadened students’ creative perspectives but also strengthened their understanding of the vast opportunities awaiting them in art, design, printing, and allied creative sectors.