Empowering budding designers via market research activities   

The Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), New Delhi takes a hands-on approach to fostering industry-ready designers, actively engaging in market research to empower its fashion, interior, and graphic design students. Through this continuous exploration, AID, one of the best design colleges in Delhi, illuminates students with the latest trends, tools, and consumer insights that fuel creativity and relevance in the ever-evolving design landscape. 

The Institute’s commitment to staying connected with the design industry’s dynamic shifts enables it to provide an enriched, forward-thinking curriculum. Students don’t just learn design; they learn how to anticipate change, think innovatively, and respond confidently and creatively. In this environment, students evolve into adaptive, resilient designers who understand the ‘what’ and ‘Why’ of design. 

Thus to enhance the perspective about the design world and to make budding designers understand the importance of an open-minded thinking in the field of design, students of Fashion Design GDP 3rd semester were taken for Market Research. Material Research and sourcing is an essential part of the Fashion business. Students must know about the fundamentals of raw material, that is the range of fabric, their feel, texture, width and price range.

For the exposure of the range of fabrics, students were taken to Govindpuri market where they explored various shops and surveyed for the range of fabrics while analysing the fabrics and trying to identify the fabrics by the texture and look. “The subject aims at developing a student’s attitude for research which is required to understand the ever evolving fashion market, brands & their unique product lines,” mentioned Ms. Satinder Kaur, Associate Professor at AID.

Similarly, to gain practical exposure of market trends and material, Interior Design students – GDP 3rd sem and PGDP-1st sem went for a research activity to Kotla Timber Market, New Delhi. The market visit was organised by the institute to resonate to its belief in providing wide exposure to the design students. The hands-on experience reinforces student’s classroom understanding and learning. The visit was initialised by a small brief about the material and how to interact with the vendors. 

Emphasising on the outcome of the activity, Ms. Garima J.Saini, Assistant Professor said, “Students not only delved deep into the 5 latest trends but also developed understanding of wood and its substitutes available in the market. They witnessed the working of the lathe machine and identified a few natural timbers.” She further added, “As discussed during classroom sessions they identified many manmade wood i.e. boards and ply in the stores. Additionally they visited stores and gathered information regarding laminates and veneers. Market research equipped students with an edge of being aware of alternate material and were adept at rationalising design decisions and details in future, as per the material availability.”