The art of learning design via contemporary market research visits

Research plays a crucial role in design education. Through research-based education, the goal is to help students to develop a better understanding on the role of market research when designing new products. Further, market research provides great insights on new trends in the market.

Thus, at Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), market visits are an integral part of the curriculum. Students of the college are encouraged to take up practical market surveys. Hence, the fashion design students recently visited the Govindpuri market in South Delhi.

To assist these budding designers, Mr. Rohit, owner of Indo Laces, along with his family, gave a tour of the store, covering different materials and price eagles of laces, buttons, patches, threads and trims. Along with the technical knowledge of trims and notions, students were left to explore the whole market for garment trims like boning, casing, custom patches, fashion zippers, shells, embroidered patches, printed laces, and so on, thereby providing these fashion design students an in-depth knowledge of the each and every design element. Further, students also observed and interacted with the front end staff to clarify their queries.

Similarly, Graphic Design students from PGDP, IDC & GDP courses, as part of their market research, visited Connaught Place and South Ex markets. The budding designers learned about different media of advertising and various existing brands. They explored both International and National brands to advance their  knowledge in the graphic and advertising field.

Interior design students, on the other hand, visited Kotla market to explore hardware and fittings. The students were guided to different hardware and sanitary shops namely Tayal Hardware Ambey Hardware, Bharat Hardware and Sanitation, to name a few, in order to physically feel and understand about the different kinds of fittings. The visit proved successful as students gathered information about sanitary fittings and hardwares such as hinges, channels, door locks, and more.