The designer's den

LALITHA SRIDHAR

For a place which is synonymous with aesthetic expression, the National Institute of Design's campus is like a life-size logo for the ideals it embodies. As with all professional education, the NID too prides itself on teaching both theory and practice of a creative career in design. It is all about, "both learning to know and learning to do". To find out how an artistic aptitude can be moulded with scientific strength to give you a job which you will enjoy waking up to, read on.

In 1993, the Central Government invited the husband-wife design team of Charles and Ray Eames to devise a programme which would provide assistance to small industry and prevent deterioration in the quality of consumer goods. Funded by the Ford Foundation, the couple toured India extensively visiting traditional and modern craft centres and meeting numerous professionals. They came up with the "India Report" which served as the starting point for the NID which was set up in 1961. The objective was to provide a multi-disciplinary approach for research, service and training in Industrial Design and Visual Communication. Today, NID's track- record ranks it among premier autonomous national institutions.

If you meet the basic age and academic requirements (admission is open to students who have passed or appeared for the Higher Secondary (10+2) qualifying exam) you will be called for an admission test which is conducted in five centres (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Mumbai and New Delhi). The written exams involve three or four design aptitude tests and those qualifying will be called for a one-day workshop followed by interviews. (Communication skills in English as well as technical and related subjects will be an added advantage. A post graduate diploma programme and a fellowship are available for higher studies).

The GDP specialises in industrial design (product, furniture, ceramic design), communication (graphic, animation film, film and video communication), textile (independently or as an integrated programme in textile and apparel), exhibition (museum, visual merchandising and set design).

The facilities are impeccable as is the verdant campus, a landmark of sorts in Ahmedabad. Noteworthy are their several studios (ceramics, metal, leather, printing, film, video, animation, sound editing, photography and apparel as well as a material and science lab) where students work with machinery, tools and equipment to prepare prototypes and models of professional quality. Campus life (the course is residential though the availability of limited hostel accommodation puts those higher up on the merit list with better chances of securing the same) promises to provide intellectual stimulation.

If you wish to design your future with more details, contact The Administrator, Academic Administration, National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad 380007,or e-mail academic@nid.edu or info@nid.edu

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