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SKETCHCODE The sketches have been divided into sections to
accommodate contributers as aptly as possible. A
collection of sketches will indicate a reference number to the artist which can be referred at the end of the magazine. Happy reading!
TEAM CHIEF EDITOR Srijith Mohan
ASSISTANT EDITOR Sourabh Yadav
CONTENT COORDINATOR Amartya Bannerjee CONTENT COORDINATOR Anup Singh
CONTENT COORDINATOR Anoop Nellikalayil SOCIAL MEDIA Sesha Sayee CONSULTANTS Aaditya Hariharan CONSULTANTS Freny Antony CONSULTANTS Vibu Surendran
CONTENTS 04 06 08 26 36 50 55 64 68
FOREWORD TAD NID NEWS SKETCHES I FEATURE SKETCHES II TRANSPORTING THOUGHTS SKETCHES III CULTURE EXCHANGE STUDENT CRITIQUE
FOREWORD We, the students of the Transportation and Automobile Design, have long
envisioned a platform to represent who we are, as individuals and as a team. The manifestations could take the form of anything, from a website to a newsletter.
The first few steps taken in the direction resulted in the conception the Lineweight magazine. A sketch magazine in its essence, it could transform into something close to what we envisioned. And in our due efforts, we have decided to push harder and stronger with this issue. We not only hope to add values to our
perspectives of design, but also to create an ecosystem of fellow designers and enthusiasts, co-contributing to fuel their passion. Do enjoy the issue!
TEAM LINEWEIGHT
Sketching is like dancing. It’s process as much as product. You can turn your head off and just sort of dissolve into the now. Doing a giant, super thought-out painting is the opposite of that.
Molly Crabapple
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ACTIVITY ROUNDUP Fresh news from in and around the department of Transportation and Automobile Design at the National Institute of Design
NID clean sweeps SIAM 2017 NID students swept the award function at
illuminated by speakers from TATA Motors-UK
Goa on 17th Feb.2017, bagging the top three
studio, SAMSUNG, TATA Elxsi. Countless
took the top honors while Freny Antony and
Leyland, TATA Motors, Honda, TVS etc.
and Automobile Design, came in second and
provides an opportunity for industry-academia
‘Design for tech-enabled tomorrow’ and was
students to showcase their creative talents.
the 11th SIAM Design & Styling Conclave,
studio, PSA Peugeot-France, Royal Enfield-UK
spots. Swapneel Desai, Furniture Design,
other senior designers from Mahindra, Ashok
Anand ES, both students of Transportation
attended this conference. The conference also
third. The theme of this year’s conference was
collaborations, giving platform to young design
Sourabh Yadav reaches TOP 16 in World Sneaker Championship 2017
The PENSOLE WORLD SNEAKER
CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 commenced this
year in February. The brief was to design
an upmarket sneaker for a 2o year old male living in a city of our choice. The sneaker
should justify his quest for individuality and
uniqueness. Sourabh Yadav from TAD16 had
presented his idea taking cues from DNA. He was able to reach TOP16 with the support of the NID Community and friends in the form of votes but lost out in the Top8.
Anand ES moves to the finals in MOVE AWARDS 2017 Anand ES from TAD batch 2013 entered
sense for multi-dimensional expressions
concept for personal mobility for the brand
our senses, expressing different demands
the finals for MOVE AWARDS 2017. His
HONDA + TATA Design Workshop As part of Design Workshops for students of TAD, Honda 2 wheelers and TATA Motors
Adidas won critical acclaim at the event.
The competition is aimed at ideas for new
designing future towards 2050, touching in mobility: in vision, projection,
products, material, identity, innovation,
mobility-related concepts in the broadest
imagination, inspiration and experience.
visited the NID PG Campus. Shashwath
his insights about the automobile industry
through an intense design workshop “TATA Showcar for Auto Expo 2018”. During
C O M I N G
S O O N
TAD|NID17
THE
Bholar, Lead Designer at Tata Motors gave
GLOBAL SKETCHBATTLE
the Honda visit, Nilesh Kirtane, Head of Department- 2 Wheelers-Styling (India)
explored the brief for the Indian market and
find a niche market where Honda 2 wheelers could bring in a product.
Design Seminar held by NID in association with MSME for improvement in cycle industry A seminar was held by NID to create
It has invited cycle manufacturers from the
manufacturers at Ludhiana for better and
for designing innovative and cutting edge
awareness among cycle and related part
innovative designs solutions to compete against international competitors.
Bindoo Ranjan, coordinator(HQ) of NID and Vipul Vinzuda, co-ordinator, TAD were the key speakers at the seminar.
domestic cycle industry to submit proposals cycle and its parts for which 75% of total cost will be borne by Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). NID also offered
expertise to work for the betterment of the industry.
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“Our view of the future is that the driver remains in control of the vehicle. He is the captain of the ship Alan Hall, Ford Motor Company
FEATURE
In the 1860s when the self-pushed torpedo was imagined, the early direction framework for keeping up profundity was so new and basic. Airplanes got autopilots only 10 years after the Wright siblings. Nowadays, your breakfast oat was most likely accumulated by a driver-less reaper. Sailboats have auto-tillers. Semi-independent military automatons murder from the air, and robot vacuum cleaners confound our pets. However one misleadingly unassuming dream has infrequently wandered past the pages of sci-fi since our grandparent’s childhood: the self-driving family auto. Dissimilar to Mars rovers or sailboats, autos need to explore the mind boggling universe of city avenues, passing inches far from delicate, hostile people. Several bunches say they are currently near making it a reality. In the event that they succeed, in what capacity will they change our reality? Could self-governing autos supplant open transportation? Would they make our urban communities more walkable, or supersize them with unfathomable sprawl?
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An Ad from America’s Independent Electric Light and power Companies for a Driverless Future in 1957
Self-Driving Cars Today Today’s most progressive semi-independent
line ordinary autos, similar to the BMWs and
light movement, similar to Austin, Texas and
of different autos that permit drivers to grasp
for crises. While their producers are anxious
rates — up to 25 miles 60 minutes — while
elements can be found in Tesla’s and a couple their hands off the directing wheel on an
interstate. Utilizing a progression of sensors
and cameras, autos can likewise consolidate, self-stop, remain inside a path and brake as required.
Remember that more self-driving elements likewise come as alternatives on top of the
Volvos that keep paths, self-stop, and brake to call attention to that such autos increase
your able driving, as opposed to supplant it,
a few frameworks are getting so intense that refinements obscure.
Google and Ford are trying self-driving autos in organized situations like test tracks, and additionally urban areas with moderately
Mountain View, Calif. Vehicles go at moderate gathering information on people on foot and human drivers; they are likewise beginning
to drive during the evening, and in rain and snow.
Google, obviously, is broadly chipping away
at self-driving frameworks for the open street,
with affirmation from Toyota to Nissan, a few
scarcely take note?
capacities: taking in crude information from
fundamentally the same as dreams. Three
autos work have become littler throughout
and executing the suitable developments by
different organizations are discreetly pursuing states now allow independently directed
vehicles. Will the self-governing future arrive not with a blast, but rather so bit by bit we
The PC frameworks that make self-driving the years, and transformed from colossal
establishments to tactful units mounted in trunks. They all handle generally similar
sensors, coordinating it with known models, sending signs to the auto’s guiding, throttle, brakes, turn signals, and different controls.
Image: ethicstechnologyandsociety.wordpress.
FUTURE Semi-self-governing elements will keep
we may at present observe rural and rustic
vehicles for things like information or access
fascinating, as the auto business moves to
neighbourhoods sharing a little pool of autos.
Automakers may quit producing autos that
on getting better, however they’ll be less
completely self-governing autos. Envision the VCR business as DVD ended up noticeably ascendant.
Since most autos are completely mechanized, deals will decrease: More customers will
depend on ride-sharing, or may impart an
auto to various proprietors. Be that as it may,
family units either buying a solitary vehicle or There will be less limitations on where these autos can work — rather there’ll be more principles on where manual autos can be driven.
Auto makers, similar to cell phone
organizations have, should discover better
approaches to create repeating income from
to various types of substance.
don’t have at any rate some exceedingly selfgoverning components. This will happen all
the more rapidly if there is, of course, a lofty drop off in individual auto proprietorship rates. com
Manual driving, then, will begin getting
to be plainly limited to geo-fenced ranges
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Future of Chauffeurs?
like a race or test track. Driving your own
activity signs and foundation may vanish —
chauffeured officials can manage the cost of
or an extravagance. So if automakers begin
that individual needs to speak with cars. Their
to change the ways we consider driving and
particular auto will turn into a leisure activity delivering only completely self-governing
autos in 2030, the avenues and parkways will in any case have a blend of manual, semiindependent and manual autos.
Both controllers and the insurance business will have needed to make up for lost time some time before this point. Prosperity guidelines must be set up. The topic of
obligation in instances of mischances must be replied.
Also, urban communities may look radically
changed. Walkways could leave, as people on
foot and autos share the streets. There will be no road stopping, simply parking structures outside of downtown areas. Furthermore,
supplanted with littler, less expensive gear drivers will be no more.
In the event that the greater part of the
billion or so cars on the planet mysteriously
showed themselves to drive amongst now and
tomorrow morning, what might really change? Immediately we’d have all the more extra
time, and versatility for the individuals who
can’t drive. Be that as it may, further changes would require new plans of action, laws,
and methods for considering transportation; perhaps new framework.
In the event that our cars took their own
particular wheels, we could content, tweet, and even play driving recreations as we
carried on with the way of life just a couple
today. In any case, past that, we would need transport.
Today’s list of things to get for self-driving
has changed little since the 1930s. We need
security, speed, frictionless transport, no clog,
new adjusts of open spaces; maybe even street trains and insightful directing to expand or supplant open transport.
On the off chance that a self-driving auto
was holding up outside your entryway today, where might you go? On a delight voyage
through the field, or to your next task? In the
event that you have some separation to travel,
maybe you’d like your auto to join a fast street prepare, a guard that would save money on
gas and street space as it whisked you to your
goal at more than 100 mph.
SOCIO ECONOMIC ASPECTS
hours as you drove? Possibly you’d watch
the conceivable effects of the execution
How might you while away the minutes or
This segment contains an examination of
a motion picture on a level board TV while
of self-governing vehicles on the general
tasting a frosty drink, or surf the Web or
visit on video, or extend for a rich snooze. A couple of years from now, you may
have the capacity to arrange a beautiful
nibble with voice summons and have it
conveyed sizzling by an automaton that
could coordinate speed with your auto to exchange your request.
public. Present day transportation has a
critical part on the planet. Transportation is a quick advancing division, which is
very connected with new advancements.
Independent vehicle frameworks are one of
the exploration ranges in the transportation area that shows incredible potential for
advancement. There is undoubtedly vehicles are getting more quick witted consistently. In our time, the innovation is changing
so quick that it is hard for individuals to
adjust to it. Making taught surmises about the future improvements and deciding
their conceivable results people groups comprehend and get ready for these
progressions. This is the reason it is vital to decide conceivable results of the usage of self-sufficient vehicle advances.
DESIGN PERSPECTIVES
Case study by Artefact Design Group for a semi-autonomous vehicle in partnership with Hyundai
The designers drawing up the eventual fate
flag that have crapped out, snow concealing
self-ruling frameworks more, they’ll focus
are figuring out how to drive themselves, yet
in the crossing point, this present reality will
be prepared to wrest its human’s eyes far from
of the vehicle business have an issue. Autos for the not so distant future, they’ll depend
on the installed human to do a portion of the work. Regardless of whether it’s movement
the path lines from cameras, or cats playing keep on stumping robots.
Issue is, people are god-awful reinforcements. As they figure out how to put stock in their
less. Furthermore, that implies the car must their telephone and onto the street, so they can make sense of what necessities doing. Beeps and squinting lights on the dash
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2016 Bentley Limousine Concept
can be blocked out, humming seats can
while the gradually expanding influence of
trailed by standard accessibility 10 years or
wheel is harder to miss. At the point when
the economy. AVs will change wellbeing,
the real tipping point may come as late as
be disregarded. A glimmering controlling self-sufficient vehicles (AVs) at long last end up noticeably pervasive, their effect
will be significant for business and society. They will rework the financial aspects of
auto proprietorship—offering ascend to new plans of action and administrations. They
will be transformative for the car business
everywhere—going about as an impetus for new items and driving associations inside the present biological system to advance
these progressions will be felt all through
improve human profitability and democratize versatility. The administration should move
rapidly to grow new controls that can oblige
the pace of development, and our foundation and frameworks will continuously adjust to
this new worldview, changing the shape and size of urban areas, rural areas and rustic ranges alike.
Contingent upon your level of good faith, the evaluated landing of original AVs is 2020,
all the more later (in spite of the fact that
2050. Considering the level of dramatization included and the potential effect of AVs,
it’s not astonishing that such an extensive amount the talk has concentrated on the certainty and ramifications of this future state to the detriment of pondering the
complexities of the move. This is especially
valid on account of semi-autonomous vehicles (SAVs), which will be portrayed by changing
degrees of self-governing capacities, will hold
“
My opinion is it’s a bridge too far to go to fully autonomous cars. ELON MUSK
manual controls and may require a drew in
non-driving exercises, and additionally
Noble of the CARLAB sounds a note of alert
expect control under conditions when the
meet these two prerequisites, each with
to making incredible upgrades in vehicle
human driver to screen the framework and auto can’t drive itself.
Changes are now in progress in ventures
toward a radical new meaning of the car - a change in vehicle configuration advancing toward completely self-sufficient capacity.
For vehicles of a Level 3 semi-self-sufficient state, new elements that automakers are as
of now taking a gander at incorporate Head
Up Displays and rotate seats: both will make vehicle travel more charming and profitable,
while as yet managing driver control of vehicle in a few conditions.
In a 2014 session of the Transportation
Research Board’s Symposium on Automated
Driving, Human Factors specialists exhibited inquire about demonstrating the driver
won’t be allowed to rest amid a drive since he or she would need to stay sufficiently
cognizant to reclaim the controls from the auto immediately. Then again, he or she
will have the capacity to invest energy in the auto utilizing the Internet, watching
motion pictures, working, perusing or playing amusements. Signals, utilizing sound and vibration, will caution the driver to move centre back to driving.
Level 3 auto needs to strike a precarious
harmony between being engaging, agreeable and reasonable for the driver occupied with
driving. By what method can vehicle architects altogether different objectives? Given the
new, low maintenance, part of the driver as
the auto’s traveler, what amount can vehicle controls and interfaces transform from the present state of affairs?
A Head-Up Display, where the front
windshield serves as a screen, may be more down to earth than an acquired gadget or
other kind of implanted screen on the grounds that a Head-Up Display would keep the driver in the correct position for assuming control controls, and looking forward. Designers clarifies that these will stay better areas
from which to pass on vehicle frameworks information and warming, ventilation and aerating and cooling controls.
Another key element being worked on is rotate seats that turn at a slight point to
confront the traveler situate. The MercedesBenz Future Truck 2025 Concept has seats that turn at a 45-degree edge. In a larger
amount of mechanization, a car’s front seats will have the capacity to swivel around 180 degrees keeping in mind the end goal to
confront the passengers in the back seats,
however this is not reasonable in a Level 3 situation.
As automakers research the capability of
turn seats for Level 3 capacity vehicles, Eric
that shows that the rotate seat is subject wellbeing.
The possibility of mechanization additionally raises doubt about the capacity of the
controlling wheel. What transpires if a
driver isn’t utilizing it most of the time? In
a completely independent vehicle the driver
never needs to guide, it can be wiped out and out.
There are a great deal of Human Factors
contemplations that need nearer consider all together for an advancement like this
to motivate nearer to advertise. All things
considered, the change of the directing wheel
may need to happen a great deal more rapidly, and all the more dependably, than parts of
vehicles, for example, mirrors and windows, that presently move.
An entire other class of “Portability on
Demand” vehicles outlined as cabs and
extravagance vans are as of now enhancing
plan for the solace of travelers. These sorts of vehicles adapted to riders rather than
drivers give a look into the eventual fate of
independent vehicles. The concentration of
the plan is for traveler profitability, network
and excitement. These mutual vehicles could have more courtesies, and even business
administrations like sustenance and espresso.
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DESIGN INTERSECTION
NID’s human centric approach discusses the
in 2030 that investigates the potential
autonomous vehicles are bound to be more
aspect. The thought process is reflected
process adopted a user centric approach
future is an attempt at capturing and also
upcoming autonomous trend from different through some of the student projects.
Thridev Suvarnan had been energetic about
the moves in the car business and is amped
up for the conceivable outcomes independent innovation could bring took his Master
Thesis as a chance to comprehend what
individuals look for from an autonomous vehicle. The Mercedes Concept F026 is
a vision for independent future mobility
outcomes of in-vehicle encounters. The design to comprehend the desires of individuals
from the recognized setting and after that imagined a perfect idea that abused the
bits of knowledge. The design process took a user centric approach to understand the
expectations of people from the identified
context and then envisioned an ideal concept
that exploited the insights. The interior space is inspired from architecture, considering
of a living space in future. This concept for retaining those subtle experiences that as
humans we cherish and is a detachment from the commonplace virtual. The interior theme
deviates from the automotive, one than offers
an experience that is antic yet an attempt have been made to stick to the minimal sensual themes of Mercedes.
Thridev Suvarnan, TAD 2013
Top: Distinguishing experiences by use of space and accessories.
Left L: Interiors take a post modern approach to Classic Indian Themes. Left R: Exterior Design
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SKETCHES II
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TRANSPOR THOUGHTS
RTING
Sharing experiences that changed automotive design, as and when design changed in India in India
To feature in our first interview section, we hoped to land some of the finest designers produced by the Institute. Nirmit Soni is a name that fits the bill instantly instantaneously with respect to the Transportation and Automobile Design, despite him attending school before the course even existed. Starting out by winning a design challenge, his journey takes him from the Geneva motor show, through initial days at TATA’s studio, on to the Design Studio at Adam Opel AG (Russelsheim, Germany), where he now takes the role of Senior Exterior Designer. With Stints at Renault and Honda, Nirmit’s Illustrious career stands as a testament to anyone who has ever forged one with pure passion. We finally connected with Nirmit, despite his schedule at Opel, as he takes us through the intricacies that define his journey. An hour long conversation left us inspired, as well as excited to bring you the first edition of ‘Transporting Thoughts’.
WITH Sourabh Yadav Srijith Mohan
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LW : To start with, tell us a little about your
LW : What aspects of your upbringing has
true for me. So, I sent in my sketches and did
Automobile Design.
ideologies?
by Top Gear shortly, for the award ceremony,
journey into the stream of Transportation and NS : I belong to Ahmadabad. My passion
for cars was stemmed right from the age of four when sketching was a daily affair. My mother introduced me to NID when she met one of the senior students studying
there. And I knew very little about NID until that point in class 12. However, I
toiled hard and got inducted in NID for the
undergraduate diploma. They did not have a
separate Transportation discipline. In my 4th year, Renault entered India and I applied for the same. I completed my Diploma project
through Renault and that is pretty much how my journey kicked off.
helped shape your design principles and
Growing up, every child draws on paper, and some for hours together. But growing up,
academics other hobbies like sports or music
eat into that channel of pure creativity. Luckily for me, my mother was an artistic person
herself, and her encouragement kept me from stopping. For sure, my parents have had a big influence on me in terms of letting me chose
and make this my area of interest. I was never forced into a particular field. And, I think
win the competition. I was invited to Mumbai with my entry as feature. And that was where Renault spotted me, followed by a visit to
our campus. The next thing I am selected by Renault for my summer internship. I started under an Interior Designer at Renault and
worked on interior design concepts, which
they liked, and the same extended with me doing my diploma project also with them,
focusing on exterior design this time around.
the absolute choice of profession is a major
LW : So between Interiors and Exteriors, which
better since it is his or her decision to enter
NS : Exteriors for sure! I do love doing
contributing factor to any person performing that domain.
is your favorite part?
Interiors too but it’s just that when you have
to pick one in a profession I am a little biased towards Exteriors.
LW : As a design student, were you at any time
LW : Which designers were amongst your
NS : Yes, absolutely. And this is something
NS : Back then, we didn’t have many
LW : So did your approach change in designing
put up posters of cars modified by Dilip
NS : Absolutely. A company’s design culture
afraid of the paper and pen method of sketching ? that intimidates many of us even today. My fear was something I identified during my
college years. Add to it the poor availability of amount and quality of resources, not
having any live inspiration, or say the absence of the Blog culture, all made us rely solely on the primitive methods of sketching.
This attributed to the intimidation, and my realization required me to further hone my
biggest inspirations ?
designers in India to look up to. I used to Chabbria, and simply stare in awe, wondering the possibilities the form of a common car
could take. Then there were some seniors at NID, for example Pratap Bose and Ajay Jain,
who were doing great work in the automotive sector, and to whom I looked up to.
skills. Backed by some amazing mentors
LW : So how did you land your internship with
sketching and how the same could be flipped,
NS : I would have to roll back to my
at Renault who shared small nuances of
mirrored, rectified and improved upon, what
also contributed to my growth extensively was me despising the comfort zone. So it comes down to you constantly pushing yourself.
Renault?
second year, when Top Gear had launched
a competition, ‘Design a One Lakh Car’ for India. The winner gets to visit the Geneva
Motor Show, which would be a dream come
cars since when you shifted companies?
has a humongous contribution to the way the design shapes. My experience in TATA was
very conservative. We were afraid to take big steps then but that is normal because India
didn’t have automotive design culture at that point. Engineering was more dominant than
design. In my stint at TATA, I had co-designers from UK who inspired me to improve myself.
The Renault the culture was way more different, vibrant and experimental. So I learned at every step, understood how the design evolves right from the concept stage to the final model,
working with different teams, collaborating
with clay modelers, digital modelers, engineers
etc. So you evolve as a person and definitely get influenced by many aspects around you.
LW : So do you still go by the paper-pencil method or have started using Cintique ?
NS : I must say I have come a full circle.
Starting out with the Paper-pen method,
moving onto Intuos, then on my Cintique and
own mind to map your ideas on paper. And your
go off the paper and pen. The emotions and
would say that surely both things are important
now back to Intuos. But over time, I hadn’t let feelings are best translated through paper. Even if you surf on Pinterest, you will notice that the most awe inspiring sketches are by hand. You
may not have a Cntrl + Z, but you do have your
emotions are adeptly reflected on a sketch. So I
but you need to keep the right balance. Because the more dependent you get on the Digital
sketches, more the deficiency that creeps into your rudimentary skills.
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LW : Which other creative fields interest you ?
say that things haven’t been repeated would
NS : It already is! It’s just that it needs people
everything! I am not specifically inclined
the time the car has undergone continuous
in our country. International OEM’S have
NS : Specifically, not many, but generally,
towards a particular thing, but I am more
open to inspiration from different walks of life. I keenly observe people, daily objects, products, and I draw parallels between
these and the design. Sports, I believe is a
big inspiration to draw from. I have always challenged myself in the environment that
requires for me to prove to myself, pushed me to perform better.
LW : Do you think that certain design aspects have been repeated before ?
NS : I think we are probably in one of the
most retrograde professions in the world. To
be a lie. For example, take Porsche. Over
refinement but when you look, you know that it still has its essence unchanged. There has
been no disruptions, no new crazy ideas but
there are new and unique executions. We are at the cusp of bringing about a change in the way we look at cars. Eventually people will
care lesser about the form and more about the experience. Its more about the latest gadgetry, technology and trending innovations that ups their interest. But the real question is, do we
really need them and is this the way forward?
like us to bring back the focus on design
dominated the market for almost a century
while we have only two or three indigenous car companies. There was a phase, from the 1970’s to the 2000’s, where people wanted
to move out of India but now the times have changed. Look at IT companies, Engineering
domains etc where we are doing pretty good. So the change was evident but just slow.
However, the scene now is changing by leaps and bounds.
LW : So is India in your peripheral view? Do you
think the focus is shifting towards Indian design?
Nirmit (T) with Mishu Batra at Renault Design India, Mumbai for the Renault KWID Design Process
SKETCHES III
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Isaac (C) with fellow batchmates from the 2016 batch
CULTURE EXCHANGE
There is a story where Alexander the Great
meets a Gymnosophist, or yogi, while on his
military campaign to the Indus river which Devdutt
Pattanaik
tells.
Alexander
asks
the yogi what he is doing and he responds “experiencing nothingness” while Alexander
tells the yogi that he is “conquering the world”.
They each laugh and view each other as fools
An experiential memoir
and Pattanaik goes on to elaborate how their dichotomy represents the difference between Western and Eastern civilization. This story
has continuously resurfaced in my mind since I’ve been in India and has been a symbol of WORDS Isaac Jovanovich Semester IV
DAAP, University of Cincinnati
my adjustment between the education of two different societies.
The experience which I’ve had here has been
a fundamental shift in many ways from the system of learning which I am used to.
Back at the University of Cincinnati in the
United States, the main campus is huge. There
are 36,042 students that study there, and the institution is one of the top employers in my
city. Even just within the college of Design,
Art, Architecture & Planning (DAAP), there
are a few thousand students. The School of Design, at 238 a batch, is closer to the size of
the NID PG campus which I’ve attended. Even
so, the community bonds among the School of Design cannot match those of the NID PG campus. I do have to say the welcome that I
have received here at NID is beyond anything that I could have expected. Over the past few
months I have been able to fully integrate into this campus and become one of the family. There have been no negative experiences in
this regard and am so grateful for the friendship of the students here. Additionally, we have
classes that operate in a parallel structure. So,
throughout the semester, you always have the same five classes going on at once.
The standard three courses through all design
disciplines is Studio, Communication (Des
Com), and Design Technology (Des Tech). These are the three courses that form the bulk
of your hours in DAAP and demand most of
your blood, sweat, and tears (especially while using X-Acto knives). Design studio is the main project that you work on throughout the semester and changes depending on which
level you are at. Design Communication is
usually based in visual skills training such as sketching and rendering exercises. Design Technology is devoted to learning CAD modeling software. In Industrial Design, we’ve
spent time in Solidworks, Alias, and ZBrush. This setup enables the two skill based studios
to support your prime studio where you work
on your design project for the semester. These
studios each meet for three hours, twice a week. Outside of these three, there is usually a
design lecture course (such as Human Factors)
and a non-design related elective which take place once a week. This is the general layout of a design student’s schedule, though it varies for Graphic and Fashion Design.
The starkest difference between my home university and NID must be structure and
the lack of it. For example, the previous term that I was at UC during the summer of 2016,
our professor sent all of us students a pdf containing the masterplan for the semester.
For each date, a set of deliverables for the next
meeting were listed. Under each deliverable was
a description of exactly what was demanded. Everything was laid out, from the number of
50 sketches down to the quality level and how they should be approached. Critiques are quite
frequent and usually involve all the students
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making comments on your displayed work
before the professor passes his/her judgement.
There was always constant, focused direction. This direction provided a framework of how a
problem should be approached, helped shape my design process, and provided efficiency in
learning to become a designer. The best part
to this system was that there is still complete balance
between
creative
thinking
and
structured learning. At DAAP, you can receive a meticulous training in strategies of design.
You learn exactly how to sharpen your design tools to execute the idea that you develop.
My experience in Transportation Design at NID
has been the polar opposite approach. Here there is complete freedom in the modules that you take. You can go in any direction that you so
choose, approaching a problem from any angle, utilizing any process, with loose direction from
the professors who operate on a quite laissezfaire philosophy. This system has benefits
to it if you are a seasoned and disciplined designer with your process nailed down and
know exactly what you are doing. For me, however, as an undergrad designer who still
is very much in the process of development, it did not fit as well. There is not as much in
terms of skill training in the modules. This is supplemented by senior mentorship and
up in the air. However, my entire perception
few months here in Gandhinagar has happened
Though they are informative and very helpful,
different system involving more structure and
modules. I admit I have been distracted by
efficient of a result for myself as I would have
the educational system of NID flourish in such
meeting times or whether a class would meet
work.
student led workshops (such as Hourclass).
of this is due to the fact that I am used to a
the irregularity of such lessons didn’t yield as
focused routine. Others who are adapted to
wished for. Additionally, the irregularity of class
an environment and are able to produce great
at all on a specific day seemed to leave much
A large section of my learning over the past
beyond the in-class transportation design
all else that has been surrounding me in the macrocosm of India. While the openness of
the course structure has meant that I have not spent as much time refining my skills, it has also
enabled me to engage in other experiences. I’ve
spent a considerable amount of time talking
This is where the strength of NID is in my
As the first student from the University of
hearing their stories and worldviews, gradually
germinates a design. Though I may be able
I have to say that this is a valuable relationship
with other students throughout the campus, piecing together my mental understanding of
this civilization. Taking tea breaks at Khopcha,
something that in the U.S. would be seen as a waste of time, actually gave me the chance to step into a different mode of thinking and gain
a taste of knowledge from others that was as
rich as the liter of sugar poured into each chai. The time I’ve spent in the field, beyond the
barbed wire of the campus, has been some of the richest education that I’ve had. Observing
how people live and carry on daily tasks along the street, understanding the different socio-
cultural factors that influence the development
of a city, or simply going through the system of transportation to get some tasty non-veg food, all of this has widened my ability as a designer.
view: in the thinking and ideation process that
to gain training on how to render a wireless speaker
and determine its materiality and
manufacturability at DAAP, here at NID I am able to learn what kind of speaker I would have to design and what context it would live
in. Context is the primary concept that I have been grappling with since I have been here at NID. Being immersed in a civilization that is
alien to my native one has enabled me to see things and make connections to be aware of
how the ecosystem of the society functions. In the American context there is so much that I
am oblivious to because I’ve passed it over as being mundane or common. This is one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge that I have gained as an exchange student.
Cincinnati to the National Institute of Design,
that has been initiated between our two schools. The debriefing from my vanguard
mission will follow what I’ve laid out here, that each institute has a different method to
teaching design yet they complement each
other. For students following me from UC, they will have a rich education in terms of designing
to exist within a world and a few months to probe the complexities of one of humanity’s oldest civilizations. For those NIDians heading off to Cincinnati, they will have a focused skill-
building approach to design and the chance to immerse themselves in the societal context of
North America. We have much to offer each other.
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HONEST STUDENT REVIEWS
Car design can be challenging as it takes into
Sometimes, these discussions turn out
account countless parameters and decisions,
rather capricious. So towards the end of this
technical and aesthetic alike. But, at the end
edition we wanted to share those ludicrous
what matters is looks, right? At a car design
thoughts as well in the form of this section
school like ours, we look analyse and study
we like to call “Honest Reviews”. Disclaimer,
all the new cars(and motorcycles and trucks
we do not want to offend the people who’s
and what not) to understand those decisions.
countless hours of effort resulted into the
More often than not, we discuss among
conception of that automobile.
ourselves what we see in these new vehicles.
TATA TAMO : RACEMO
WORDS Freny Antony TAD 2014
To kick this section off we decided to go with
of saying more, which the design research
dearest TATA Motors. Where do we start, with
type on Snapchat. Take it from us, ‘Youngsters’
TAMO RACEMO, whats with the overuse of
chat. That’s how middle aged people try to
the home grown TAMO RACEMO, by our
department assumed is the way youngsters
the name of course. Do Mo, See Mo, Be Mo,
(or millennials if you may), that’s not how we
the Mo syllable. We get it, it’s the cool way
sound cool. Then TATA says the car is solely
for the Indian market... Cool. We would love
knows the Indian psyche that products sell if
a price tag of INR ~2,500,000(USD ~40,000)
arranged marriage. However, the promo video
don’t care to get their story straight. TATA also
population of 1.25 billion and an average per
the beauty that’s reserved for us. Sort of like shows a westerner having fun in the RACEMO
in London. This can mean one of two things: The RACEMO marketing department really
they are seen in a western context or they just
hinted a mobility on demand service in their
promo. The oxymoron of the RACEMO concept is nevertheless the fact that it is affordable at
and exclusive(just 1000 cars) for India with a
capita income of USD 5350. This begs us to ask the question, who is this car for again?
Coming to the car itself, TATA claims that it
it couldn’t be any less of a Frankenstein. Many
TATA you could do better. The black graphic
compact footprint and a higher seating. It is an
feel is definitely not a compliment. Some were
form brutally, almost like a scar. The surfaces
is designed to take on the Indian roads with a affordable sports car for the Indian who wants
to play Fast and Furious on the Indian roads. That’s about where the novelty of this car ends,
people confused it for the DC Avanti, which we
generous to say it’s a mini Stratos. Well, we feel it’s the Indian child to a Stratos and a 4C.
The rear fenders are definitely i8, C’mon
on the side that engulfs the DLO breaks the are quite linear for cost cutting, obviously.
But, Tata’s desperate attempt to make the car
look aggressive and expensive is seen through
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in the details. It is actually for good reason,
gruelling traffic jam and we think it’s because
like is aggressive. That is because we buy
mirror is huge, like ‘Xenon concept’ huge, in
companies feel that the only theme we Indians affordable sports car just to find ourselves in a
of the guy in front of us. And yes that wing
the exterior could raise some eyebrows but probably not the way TATA thought.
case some of you were wondering. Overall
Speaking of interiors, the aggression seems to
this and it feels like an honest approach to
sort of a metaphor for us Indians, we are good
there is no back seat). Well, it’s definitely better
at me, I am a sports car”, instead it politely
In conclusion, we understand RACEMO is
have taken the back seat (it’s funny because than what’s outside. May be TATA should start
with the interiors in their ads. The stripped down sporty look definitely works for a car like
car design. Firstly it doesn’t scream “Look says “Look, the people who made this, it’s their first time, so cut them some slack and yeah have a nice time in here”. That makes it
inside, howsoever we look on the outside.
really a spur of the moment thing. But, we really can’t help feel what we felt.
SKETCHCODE 1
Mihul Prakash, TAD 2013
2
Aman Chaudhary, TAD 2014
3
Santhosh Kocherlakota, TAD 2013
4
Aaditya Hariharan, TAD 2014
5
Adithya Siddharth, TAD 2014
6
Amey Hundre, TAD 2015
7
Elvis Raju, TAD 2015
8
Shyamprasad V S, TAD 2015
9
Aniket Patil, TAD 2015
10
Anup Singh, TAD 2016
11
Kushal Karpe, TAD 2016
12
Nirmay Anand, TAD 2013
13
Sijo Thomas, TAD 2015
14
Ravi Sharma, TAD 2014
15
Aanand E S, TAD 2013
16
Aman Verma, TAD 2016
17
Dhananjay S, TAD 2016
18
Rahul Kumbhar, TAD 2014
19
Pratheek Ashok, TAD 2013
20
Samarjeet Waghela, TAD 2015
21
Srijith Mohan, TAD 2015
22
Krishnakumar Govekar, TAD 2013
23
Vibu Surendran, TAD 2014
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Send us your suggestions/feedback and Contributions to
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