Fostering innovative thinking, creativity & art 

The inaugural day of Design Week unfolded with an air of anticipation and enthusiasm at Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram. The Design Week was organised by the School of Design and Visual Arts (SDVA) with an aim to provide a platform to the experts and budding designers to exchange creative ideas. 

Ms. Megha, a distinguished faculty member from the Fashion Design Department, set the stage by extending a warm welcome to the internationally acclaimed speaker, Mr. Budi Loonen, Sr. Art Director from NO TOMATO, Breda, Netherlands. The proceedings commenced with the formal inauguration graced by Prof Sanjay Ahirwal from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dr. Anandha Pradhan the School of Education along with Dr. Tikendra Kumar Sahu from the School of Design & Visual Arts. 

Insights on design thinking

Mr. Budi Loonen, Sr. Art Director from NO TOMATO, delivered an elaborate presentation on Design Thinking, emphasising that it is not merely a process but a mindset. He urged students to embrace empathy, experimentation, and collaboration as the pillars of their creative journey. “The essence of Design Thinking lies in understanding end-users, empathising with their needs, and crafting solutions that resonate with human experiences,” he added.

The focal point of his discourse was unveiling the Design Week theme: crafting innovative solutions for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of enhancing accessibility and simplifying their lives. This ignited a spark among students to approach design challenges with a human-centric perspective, fostering innovation with a purpose.

Following the inaugural session, students were divided into seven groups, each comprising 3-4 members. With a designated team leader at the helm, they were charged with a mission to emphasise collaboration and teamwork. The directive was clear: select a specific handicap to focus on, empathise with the chosen handicap through personal experiences and meticulous research.

The corridors featured a flash of creativity in which students immersed themselves.Throughout the day, these budding designers delved into the intricacies of various disabilities, channelling their empathy into understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals grappling with different conditions.

Design Week – Day 2

Day 2 of the Design Week commenced with an invigorating presentation by Mr. Budi Loonen, a seasoned Sr. Art Director from NO TOMATO. Building upon Day 1, he provided invaluable insights to propel students further into the realm of creative problem-solving. Mr. Loonen encouraged students to embark on a comprehensive journey of understanding by collecting diverse information and conducting meticulous research on the chosen disabilities.

He further highlighted the significance of emotions in the design process, emphasising mood boards as an exceptional tool to intertwine rational and emotional dimensions, providing a visual guide for ideation.

Students’ Activity 

Students showcased their Day 1 assignments, where they had empathised with their respective target groups. Following this, a small excursion to Damdama Lake provided a change of scenery and inspiration to the students’ creative journey.

Design Week – Day 3

The third day of the Design Thinking Workshop opened with an enlightening presentation by Mr. Budi Loonen. He shared profound insights into his worldly travels, delving into the inspiration drawn from diverse cultures and landscapes.

Unique Design Perspectives

The presentation unfolded as a visually captivating showcase, illustrating the various stages of concept development influenced by his extensive travel encounters. The session seamlessly transitioned into the Ideation phase, where Mr. Loonen guided participants through the intricacies of generating ideas, emphasising the importance of quantity, staying focused on the topic, and revisiting brainstorming sessions for fresh perspectives.

Subsequently, students engaged in a dynamic brainstorming exercise, generating diverse ideas centered around selected disabilities. As the day progressed, a small evening excursion to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and India Gate in New Delhi provided a unique opportunity for informal interactions and the exchange of ideas in a different setting.

The immersive Design Week journey had not only ignited creativity but also fostered compassion, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of the power of design to make a positive impact on lives.