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Mahendra Patel pg 28 | Photographed by Prof. Keyur Sahasrabudhe Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall 02 Introduction 11 Suresh Sethi 12 Aman Nath 14 Georg Andreas Suhr 18 Achyut Palav 20 Tanay Kumar 22 Kavita Singh Kale 26 Rupali Gupta 40 Shekhar Badve 42 Anusheela Saha 46 Anjali Mody 48 Navya & Divya 50 Liane De Selys 52 Aarti Karwayun 56 Saif Faisal 58 Madhura Kulkarni 60 Ashvina Vakil 62

Design Drives Innovation. A philosophy that nurtures a culture of innovation. For over six decades, Forbes Marshall has been building steam engineering and control instrumentation solutions that work for process industry. Today, we are leaders in process efficiency and energy conservation through technology tie ups and focused investments in manufacturing and research. Constant innovation in our product range is what helps us stay at the fore. We have

consistently brought to the market innovations in technology and design. Several of our designs have won awards, the most recent being the Steamon Vortex Flowmeter which has won the iDesign award for the Best Design in Capital Goods. To know more about what drives innovators at Forbes Marshall, write in to us at response@forbesmarshall.com .

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August 2014 | # 50

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Designindia was founded in 2002. It was started as a platform for interaction for the design community in India and abroad. Over the years it has grown into a forum spread over many social and professional networking domains, linking design professionals into an active, interactive and thought leading community.

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The 50th issue of any magazine would be worth smiling about, especially when it grows despite all the constraints on resources and content. POOL has always been about people, and inspirations. That's what you have been... not just all the people we have featured, but readers and POOL team members scattered across Pune, Jaipur and Chicago. You are all inspiring. I am fuelled by your power, your energy in each story. I have connections to many of the people that we feature, and I make new connections all the time. Too many to talk about here. But my connection to the man on the cover of this issue is special. He was my first link to design. He was assigned as my mentor when I started at NID in 1983; he gave me confidence to move ahead and become a designer. He demonstrated that simplicity and humbleness were not a hindrance but a strength in my journey. He taught me how to hold a pencil when I was 18. I think everything grows better with age. POOL is no exception. Sudhir

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DESIGN FUTURES OF EVERYDAY PLURALISM Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall outlines the value systems Indian designers will have to contend with over the next 50 years It is expected that in the next 50 years India and China will emerge as the latest geopolitical superpowers. This will have significant impact on the role of design in each nation. India’s unique history and status as the largest democracy in the world creates a different trajectory for design’s role compared to China. For example, the Chinese government has built more than 400 design institutions over the last 10 years. In contrast, it is private industry that has been responsible for design’s growth in India. According to the India Design Report, the number of private design institutions has grown exponentially in the last five years. One of the challenges for Indian design institutions is determining the design philosophies they will impart to students and practice as professionals. Based on my discussions with Sudhir Sharma, who runs Indi Design, one of the top Asian design strategy and innovation firms, conversations with other Indian designers, reading of academic papers, interviews in POOL Magazine, and blog postings, it seems that the Indian designer must contend with three distinct value systems: 1. Indigenous Indian values in all their pluralism 2. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of pre- and post-independence 3. Colonial/post-colonial Western values Indian indigenous pluralism The primary value system in India is that of its more than 5,000 years of cultural pluralism. India’s linguistic, religious and geographical 2 POOL #50

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pluralism has earned it the epithet of ‘unity in diversity’. According to reports from The People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI), there are more than 780 languages spoken with 86 different scripts.

Sudhir Sharma, CEO, INDI Design & Editor in Chief, POOL Magazine

The census notes that India is the birthplace of Hinduism (827 million), Buddhism (8 million), Jainism (4 million), and Sikhism (19 million), and contains nearly 138 million Muslims and 24 million Christians, as well as those who maintain strong tribal religions. Its more than 639,000 villages inhabit every type of landform: the northern mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the great deserts of the northwest, the central plateau, the coastal plains, and various tropical islands. In the book Handmade in India, design professors Aditi Ranjan and MP Ranjan describe how the Indian craft sector reflects this diversity: The range and diversity of Indian crafts is staggering…The prolific variety was a result of each regional or sub-regional group asserting its own identity in the objects and cultural expressions. Therefore the vast array of artifacts, implements, built environments, ornaments, clothing, headgear and personal body decorations all showed the deep need for holding on to their unique identity as distinct from that of their neighbors.

Adalaj Step Well (built in 1499) outside of Ahmedabad

The Indian craft sector is the second largest employer of www.indipool.com 3

Indian Craft Centre’s (New Delhi) replica of a bride’s nuptial chamber by Shanti Devi and Girindra Mohan of the Madhubani area, Bihar, India

persons after agriculture, sustaining over 23 million practitioners. Design institutions, such as National Institute of Design-Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Craft and Design, include craft documentation and training as a significant part of the curriculum. The IIDC states as their mission: The central idea of the Institute is to evolve a sustained program of growth and development of both crafts sector and craftsmen in an integrated manner, i.e., to generate requisite knowledge, to upgrade relevant skills and to foster right attitudes in order to develop high quality, motivated human resource and change agents, in a vibrant climate of experimentation and innovation.

Terracotta craftsmen working at the Indian Institute of Craft and Design in Jaipur, India

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Professional Indian designers continue to show respect to the Indian indigenous value systems through their engagement with the craft sector. In March, Be Open, a philanthropic organization, held an exhibition ‘Made in … India Samskara’, which showcased the collaborations between

opinion cannot serve humanity to the best of our capacity, we cannot serve humanity by neglecting our neighbors. According to Indian industrial designer and design historian, Singanapalli Balaram, Mahatma Gandhi and other intellectuals established schools in remote areas in order to protect craft’s role in Indian economic self-reliance. The most well known of these was Santiniketan, which was established by Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore in Bengal.

Image of Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram

23 top Indian designers and crafts people, resulting in over 350 handcrafted luxury objects. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles The second value system consists of the principles expressed by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggles for independence from Great Britain from 1857 to 1947. There are eleven principles or vows articulated by Mahatma Gandhi. Of the eleven, the one most associated with the field of design is swadeshi, the use of locally-made goods. He describes it: Swadeshi is that spirit in us which requires us to serve our immediate neighbors before others, and to use things produced in our neighborhood in preference to those more remote. So doing, we

Today in India, swadeshi is expressed through the use of Indian crafts people to manufacture the designs of contemporary designers. But as one of my Indian colleagues, Vilvapathy Sakthivel, discussed in a recent Skype Q&A, Indian designers often see crafts people merely as manufacturers, not as co-designers who can bring their own ideas and values back to the fore of contemporary Indian society. Colonial and post-colonial Western values The third value system is the one imposed by India’s colonization by Great Britain. The concepts of modern design were brought to India by British bureaucrats who established art schools that included craft in order to produce a class of Indians to serve in its Colonial government agencies. Design historian, Rajeshwari Ghose, notes: No wonder then that neither of the terms ‘design’ nor ‘development’ have natural equivalents in most of the Asian linguistic traditions, for they carry with them all the ideological underpinnings of First World associations, aspirations, and debates. Ghose goes on to describe how contemporary Indian designers must contend with Western “consumerist, labor saving and, therefore, www.indipool.com 5

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I look forward to the next 50 issues of POOL Magazine so that I can better understand Indian design, which has significant impact on the rest of the world. I hope that Indian designers will choose the values that will use that impact in a positive way.

Shopping centre in Ahmedabad, India

capital and technology intensive, and, finally, overdeveloping” values when they design for global markets or even their own elites.

(Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall is Associate Professor, Design Anthropology at Swinburne University. The original version of this article first appeared in ‘The Conversation’ on 15 May 2014.) etunstall@swin.edu.au

Transculturation, POOL Magazine, and Indian design One of the concepts important to Design Anthropology is that of transculturation as articulated by Cuban anthropologist Fernando Ortiz. It is the process by which each generation transforms culture through the acquisition of that from other cultures, the loss of one’s own culture, and the creation of the entirely new. The concept of transculturation reminds us to think of cultures as dynamic. Indian designers every day must make decisions that will give tangible form to the values that embody India’s pluralistic cultures. Their decisions transform Indian culture. In each of the 50 issues of POOL Magazine, one reads in Indian designers’ own words how they grapple with their decisions as to how to best represent the dynamic nature of Indian culture through design.

Ornate portable sound system used for traditional wedding parades www.indipool.com 7

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POOL is a great introduction to Indian design culture: here design has multiplicity of visions, and there are multiple ways that design can contribute to society and to business. POOL shares this diversity wonderfully. Let the goodness flow into the next 50 issues! Suresh Sethi Vice President South Asia & Director - Global Consumer Design Asia, Whirlpool

POOL has been a great platform to know about great and outstanding work from our industry and opinions from our fraternity. It has been able to successfully bring together news, opinions, and work from various different facets of design communication, and we look forward to every new issue. The only advice we have for POOL is to continue to do what they do because it is awesome! Shekhar Badve Founder and Director (Marketing and Strategy), Lokusdesign 10â&#x20AC;&#x192; POOLâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;#50

introduction

DESIGN LANDMARKS FOR OUR 50th For 50 issues we have been featuring designers and their work in an effort to recognize the role of design in our daily lives. We’ve seen the multiple roles design plays and the difference it can make to routine existence. Design has transformed our relationship with the environment, with people, and with places. Whether consciously or not, we are aware that design is the cornerstone of modern life, something that is an intrinsic part of every object we look at or use, every service or activity that we engage in, every interaction we participate in. To commemorate our landmark 50th issue we asked some of the designers who have shared their work with POOL in the past to tell us how design has made an impact on their lives. • What are the two well-designed objects from daily life that have made their life easier? • Which are the two buildings that have made an indelible impression? • Which two commonly seen symbols are permanently lodged in their consciousness? The responses surprised us… www.indipool.com 11

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Suresh Sethi Vice President South Asia & Director - Global Consumer Design Asia, Whirlpool “Feeling a beautiful hour or a beautiful scene or a beautiful object is itself a form of prayer.” M. K. Gandhi Three little Monks These three little monks sit quietly in my room, reminding me every morning to look into the traditional human values in all that I do, and live to share freely. The Chair This chair connected to me as soon as I saw it, and many weeks later it was in my office. For me, a new product must actively choose its targeted user, promote it to a particular group, and avoid standardization – it should go beyond performance and service to create an emotional value not by the object’s functionality but by its expressive level. This chair does just that – it is a conversation piece and it makes the space lively. Qutub Minar I like the exquisite brickwork cuboids and cylinders that form Qutub Minar. The geometrical precision of this minaret 12 POOL #50

reminds me of da Vinci’s ‘Vitruvian Man’. The Square and the Circle, the finite and the infinite, the timeless quality of this building fascinates me. The mysterious Iron Pillar in the Qutub precinct makes me wonder at how far back man’s curiosity created this marvel. Devi Art Foundation Building – designed by Aniket Bhagwat A cuboid made of rusted corten sheets resting on a brick base stands next to my office in Gurgaon – a beautiful piece of work. It is quiet, restrained, modern and timeless. Rusted metal outside, a tough shell with playful brickwork on the inside make this building come alive. I love this new Indian confidence – and wonder if the inspiration is from the brickwork of the Qutub Minar and the Iron Pillar! The Coca Cola Symbol with Mahatma Gandhi The Coca Cola symbol has been a part of my formative years, as much as Mahatama Gandhi – this layering of east and west, this merging of cultures, of flavors is the new Indian ethos which I cherish. Rupee Symbol The new rupee symbol once again brings out this sense of layering, of the east and the west –tradition and modernity – local and global. It is a symbol of NEW India. suresh_sethi@whirlpool.com

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All pictures by Suresh Sethi

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Aman Nath Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Neemrana Hotels

The iPad I use the mini iPad and it makes a very different type of mobility and remote control management possible. It seems as if one puts away a slice of one's brain when one goes to bed, but the iPad doesn't sleep, thankfully! A reliable, travelling companion, it has the benefits of a machine and is more discreet than a friend or a secretary! The Lota I don't use it, but it lies before me in my house like a museum object, once having been an object of daily use. I think about its design and utility often. When the great American designers Charles and Ray Eames were visiting India in 1958, they made a very sharp and pertinent observation about this simple object of everyday use. "Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful...no one man designed the lota, but many men over many generations - many individuals represented in their own way through something they may have added or may have removed." The lota, a simple brass water pot, will find place in the design museums of the West, both for its simple form and its functionality. On my short way to work, there is no building that I like; alas, this is the tragedy of Indian architecture! Where are the great architects that our ambitious schools of architecture were to produce? I see Khan-e-Khana's Tomb and Humayun's Tomb in Nizamuddin, the Dargah which has no equal in its silhouette. Then The Oberoi appears on the skyline and the Aman/Lodhi, after which I see the nondescript homes of Link Road near Jangpura, Defence Colony and Lajpat Nagar. Mostly derivative trying to be 'modern' in our different periods of building, but with no identity. The Rupee Symbol The symbol for our rupee is marvelous…like an old script that was always there! It slid into our use, and our psyche, almost silently. That is great design, when it becomes you without aggressing the senses. The reverse is also true, for design today seeks to be noticed, even if it were made for a product - almost a genetic discretion like in the Nike tick mark. amannath1@gmail.com 14 POOL #50

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Georg Andreas Suhr Managing Director, INDI Berlin Lecturer, Design Akademie Berlin iD-consultant & Partner for India, iD-institute (International Design Institute) Creative Director & Division Manager, Eurasia

Two things in my life make me really happy. The first is very practicable and simple: a clip on my key that helps me to find the key in my bag. It’s a clever and simple example of German technology. The second thing is my chair, which is flexible like my spinal column when I was a child. It helps me to sit comfortably in front of my computer. And by thy way, I can dance on it. I really love the buildings in the Paud Road area of Pune – they look like old buildings from the Bauhaus era. In Berlin I love this amazing modern church – it has a pure and clean design and is a good place to pray to god. Everybody loves it, but I hate it… the traffic light (Ampelmännchen) on the street I cross every day. It is the old sign from the GDR and it is cute and kitschy. A symbol at a traffic light should be a reduced and clear symbol like a pictogram. The second symbol I see everyday is the ‘AUM’ in front of the office door. For me it’s an important symbol indicating that we are all one… andreas@indidesign.in

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Achyut Palav Calligrapher

comes close to being a substitute. These pens are perfect companions when I need to bring my thoughts to life through calligraphy.

A Toothbrush This basic oral hygiene instrument is often taken for granted and we tend to take notice of it only when the bristles droop beyond their functionality. I have often thought about this extremely useful yet simple tool. I know it is an odd choice but one cannot help but marvel about what an important part it plays in our lives. It helps us accurately reach places in our mouth with the ability of hand to mouth co-ordination or remarkable sense of touch. With a single tool we take care of our mouth. Now, with new age product designing trends, the ordinary toothbrush has undergone a personality transformation and become more flamboyant and accurate…its variations have me confused each time I pick a new one…but the simplicity of the concept of this product amazes me even today.

My Home I am one of those fortunate Navi Mumbaikars who has a home in the lap of nature. Being in Belapur I am close to the main city of Mumbai for all professional purposes yet get to stay in a tranquil locale in a house that I have designed. Like everyone, I feel that my home is the best place in the world. Not just the feeling but due to the architecture, which I have designed around my desires and conveniences. The plan is practical and spacious. The sky is easily visible and the greens peep through each window. Birds are regular guests. Large windows let in air and sunlight and easy furniture brings in a relaxed feel. It’s dotted with artifacts collected over the years and some of my favorite paintings and scrolls. A small studio lets me retreat into a pensive mode where I can create or ponder new thoughts. My home is my gift to my family and one of my most precious creations.

Sheaffer Pens Being a calligrapher, my life revolves around nibs, inks and pens. They are my way to bring my art to the world. Even though I have built my reputation around being an artist who frequently experiments with tools, the pens by Sheaffer are my tool of choice. The design is convenient and they have a certain finesse. The nibs are cut to perfection. The makers have competently blended the efficiency of a good grip, the perfect flow of ink, and a graceful design. I have yet to find an Indian brand that

Jehangir Art Gallery- Mumbai As a young artist who grew up in Mumbai and spent most of his formative years in and around Sir J.J. School of Applied Arts, and Kala Ghoda, the Jehangir Art Gallery is one of my favorite buildings. My art gave me opportunities to travel around the globe and visit many art galleries and centers. Each was beautiful and more impressive than the other, but Jehangir Art Gallery stood out in my memory. Even today it’s the hub where artists and art lovers meet and interact. The architecture though introvert

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in design is spacious and gives ample space for paintings and installations. The lighting is excellent and the façade is modern. It was one of the most important art centers built post Independence and its popularity till date is a testimony that art in any form is respected and loved. The Prakrit Om ‘Om’ is the divine word of God. It’s a sacred word/sound for every Hindu. Its depiction in Devanagri is the most popular form around the world. My choice slightly tilts in favor

of the Prakrit (inspired by sound) form. It is the symbolic depiction of how the sound waves generated by the Omkaar resonate…slowly rising and fading away with the breath. This symbol is a unique depiction of the ‘Om’ and emphasizes more on the sound. I have been so influenced by its tapering form that it has become the central idea of one of my paintings and also the symbol of my design studio. Logo of the SBI Bank The blue circle with a small circle and line cutting its center is one of the simplest yet most communicative symbols created. It effectively conveys the perfection in work and the keyhole like cut-out conveys security. The no-frills approach personifies the purpose of the bank - providing easy banking and protection to money and assets for the common man of India. The logo has remarkable recall value and easy palavachyut@gmail.com applicability too. www.indipool.com 21

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Tanay Kumar CEO and Creative Director, Fractal Ink Design Studio Pvt. Ltd.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bottles In my opinion the value of design has to be experienced in order to realize it. We take so many objects in our daily life as being defaults without realizing the effort and insight that would have triggered their being the way they are. The simple idea of turning the conditioner bottle upside down not only solves the problem of easy flow of a viscous liquid but also helps identify the bottle easily when you are in the middle of a bath with your eyes closed and trying to grab the right bottle! I believe a good design should go unnoticed and this piece of design flows beautifully through our lives without us even realizing it. Scissors I always say you need to ask four basic questions to simply evaluate any product. Does it feel like it will do the job? Does it allow me to quickly learn? Does it do the job as expected? And, would I come back to it again? This wonderful device fares absolutely cent percent on these grounds. The moment a tool helps you reach your goal without it becoming a goal in itself then you should be proud of it. This is one of my favorite objects, which I love to bring up in all my design and usability talks as it helps get people thinking about the beauty of design that exists in everyday things. 22 POOL #50

Terminal 2, Mumbai International Airport This wonderful piece of craft holds the nuances of Indian art and beautiful forms of modern architecture in perfect balance. Walking beneath these wonderfully designed canopies in Terminal 2 at Mumbai International Airport, you can feel a sense of grandeur and pride. I saw this grow from ground up and the final output is hugely gratifying. Every time I encounter this structure I feel it presents a new face. I am still to explore the whole of it but I am sure it holds much more than I have seen. Slum Structures around the Airport A contrast to my previous example but as intriguing and very much a part of the surroundings around me are these unplanned yet thriving dwellings. Leaving aside the mess that they are in, the interesting part is that the concept of jugaad in this case has been taken to a completely different level. Walking down these lanes you will encounter amazing innovation that makes true the saying ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. What caught my eye here was the organic vertical growth of structures. They defy every law of structural engineering yet have withstood the incessant torturous weather of Mumbai year after year. The Yellow Tire At times where you are driving down the middle of nowhere and you have flat tire, your eyes just wander around in the hope of finding this yellow tire and as soon as you spot it, there is a sigh of relief. For many Indians it has become a symbol of hope. I really admire the evolution of these symbols as they have become a part of

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our culture and have cut across the diversity that exists in our country. Plastic Containers When symbols emerge out of society they find a special place in our hearts. We accept these symbols without any dispute or question in

our mind. Looking for a kabaadiwala in a busy market or a narrow street filled with people and chaos is never a problem. Just try spotting one of these when you are carrying loads of kabaadi and you will be in the right place. tanay.kumar@fractalink.com www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 23

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Since its inception POOL has been a part of our design studio. I am proud to see now that it has a dedicated shelf in my office. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting and unique about POOL is that it captures and brings to light the Indian design community unlike other publications in this domain which seem to be buried under marketing campaigns and brand driven articles. This comes across as an inspirational collection of people and their work, which is refreshing and encouraging. Our country seriously requires design intervention at various levels to help growth and I think your contribution in establishing this fact and helping to glorify this discipline is appreciated. I think POOL finds a special place in my heart and I would like to congratulate you on your successful achievement. Wishing you all the very best for future issues! Tanay Kumar CEO and Creative Director, Fractal Ink Design Studio Pvt. Ltd. www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 25

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Kavita Singh Kale Co-founder and Creative Director, Underground Worm Art & Design studio

Thaili (Cotton Bag) Apart from a handbag I also like to carry a thaili (Hindi word for a traditional cotton bag) with enough space to fit things that I need during the course of the day. I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple but very effective design. Traditionally these bags were made out of waste garments, which were recycled. They come in different sizes for various purposes like carrying a lunch box, water bottle, books, files, vegetables and more. Gamchha (Cotton Towel) A perfect design for a sub-tropical country like India, a gamchha is a multipurpose, thin cotton fabric that can be used in many ways. Traditionally it dangled on one shoulder, and was used by people to dry the body after bathing, to wipe off perspiration, carry stuff while traveling, as a ground mat, and even to make a weapon by wrapping stones in it! India Habitat Centre Designed by Joseph Stein, it is something that I associate with nostalgically as I grew up in the vicinity. The building in designed in a manner that is inviting to passersby. It is also designed in a way that cars are diverted to the parking lot without disturbing the building's scale and ambiance. Natural lighting is 26â&#x20AC;&#x192; POOLâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;#50

brilliantly used. Sun screens give volume to the entire space along with a good mix of stone tiles, fountains and greenery that consolidate harmony to the structure. Pragati Maidan Designed by architect Raj Rewal, this was often a place to visit during my college days. The grid structure is conceived as a traditional jali that acts as a sun breaker. The geometrical patterns serve as perforation to obstruct direct sun rays that can be harsh due to Delhi's extreme summers. The structures also play a vital role in permitting air circulation. The main pavilion of the Hall of Nations is structured in a way that can exhibit anything from small products to heavy duty machines. Religious Tiles In India, one often sees men urinating on roadside walls. Recently, I noticed a wall adorned with ceramic tiles that had images of various gods on them - this was to deter men who might want to take a leak on the wall! Though I am not very sure if it worked, I was happy to see that at least someone had made the effort to come up with a solution to stop men from urinating in public. In India, people are known to hang shoes or black voodoo dolls, both items that are considered to be eyesores, upside down to protect their beautiful homes from the evil eye. So, I guess, in some way, the ceramic tiles were doing just the opposite. By putting images of God in public spaces, they were trying to protect these spaces from being physically blighted.

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Devil’s Eyes Stickers I have noticed devil’s eyes stickers pasted on the back of auto rickshaws and trucks and on their rear view mirrors. These stickers are considered to be warning signs for anyone who is easily consumed by feelings of jealousy at another person’s success. This is a symbol of protection from evil forces. The drivers of these vehicles have to drive in extremely treacherous conditions. Talismans like these comfort the driver psychologically and make them more confident about taking chances. cavitasingh@gmail.com www.indipool.com 27

cover story

Script Writer Extraordinaire Industry legends like Prof. Mahendra Patel really do not need an introduction. After a teaching career spanning more than five decades, his name has received global recognition. And yet he himself lives by the mantra that ‘Good design is that where the design is used and noticed but not the designer’.

POOL has an interesting conversation with the well known Type Designer, Typographer, Professor, and Mentor.

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mcpatel@theleafdesign.com

First Type Design done at Atelier Frutiger for Hot Metal for MonoType, in 1971

What does being a designer mean to you?

"It is great to be a designer; it gives me insights to see life differently and makes me more human. It was NID that nurtured an explorative and open mind that helped me to have a very fulfilling academic and professional life as well as helped me to bring up my children with good values." You spent 39 long years at NID. For those who may not be familiar with Prof. Patel, can you give us a brief background? MP: I am a retired senior faculty member of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Currently, I am an adjunct faculty member at Symbiosis Institute of Design, and MIT Institute of Design, Pune and a consultant with The Leaf Design, Mumbai. www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 29

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Can you recall what made you choose a career in design? MP: After my BA in 1964, the only opening for me was a drawing teacher’s job in some progressive schools. I was reluctant to pursue that path and went back to my Fine Arts professor, KG Subramaniam with the intention of doing my MA. He said, “I know this lady at Ahmedabad who needs young artists, go and meet her.” And she was Gira Sarabhai, director of NID, who selected me as an apprentice for their faculty

development program. It was just a chance, I grabbed it and that changed my whole life. Did you have a mentor in the early days of your career? MP: In 1966 I met Adrian Frutiger, type designer of Univers and Frutiger, Paris. He was invited by NID to conduct a national workshop on Type Design for India Scripts. I went Ahmedabad airport to see him off to Paris, and there we had a very intimate conversation. He created an opportunity for me to work with him in Paris. Then onwards he became my role model, teacher, friend and mentor. I worked four times with Adrian Frutiger; the longest span was 13 months in 197172, and the last time was in 1988. In 1971, I worked at his Atelier Frutiger in Paris. I

Type Design for Gujarati Type Foundry, 1981 30 POOL #50

mcpatel@theleafdesign.com

I did my BA Fine Arts (Painting) from MSU Baroda, where I was a second ranker. I then went on to NID, followed by a degree in Advance Graphic Design at School of Design, Basel, Switzerland. In 1971, I went on to work on type design projects at Atelier Frutiger, Paris.

mcpatel@theleafdesign.com

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Type Design Developement for Tamil, 1972

worked half day on his project of symbol design, print design and type design, and the other half on my Devanagari and Tamil type development project. I purposely chose two challenging scripts with the intention of learning the intricate process of type design from him. I worked so hard and intensively that after two months he told me that I had produced almost a whole yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work; and he gave me a paid vacation to Spain! He had the confidence in me to assign me to correct his type design at Stemple Type Foundry in Frankfurt. I become a close member of his studio

and brought many Indian/human values to the studio. He even offered me a position but I prefer to go back to NID and India. When I was leaving he asked what I wanted as a gift; I asked for one of his paintings that was displayed in his studio. It was very dear to him but he gifted it to me, carrying it to the airport to see me off. I had a very intensive and intimate relationship with Adrian, which lingers all the time with me, even though I have met him only about 10 times over the last 40 years. One piece of advice that he gave me that I value most is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 31

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"Always make the work, presentation or teaching so simple that even the bottom most person can comprehend it.” 32 POOL #50

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(Left) Road Map for Gujarat, 1974 | (Top) Tourist Map of Ahmedabad, 1980

make the work, presentation or teaching so simple that even the bottom most person can comprehend it.” Adrian Frutiger gave me insights into and sensitivity for type design. With respect and gratitude to him, my first font design is based on his ‘Frutiger’ font and is called NeueFrutiger Devanagari (designed for MonoType in 2013). Adrian has been sick and bed-ridden for the last few years but it was great to meet him in Lucerne to pay my respects and express my gratitude after receiving the Gutenberg Award in Germany in 2010. How does it feel to be the first and only Indian to receive the prestigious Gutenberg Award? MP: Jointly established by the City of Mainz (Frankfurt, Germany) and The International Gutenberg Society, The Gutenberg Award is ‘for outstanding artistic, technical or scientific attainment in the domain of the art of printing’. I received the award in 2010. The recognition came into my life when I needed it, as most of my type design development was limited in access to NID or with clients. It brought me the opportunity to showcase my design through MonoType for online distribution/access to any designers or the design industry. www.indipool.com 33

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Which type of design projects have you worked upon? MP: At NID I have worked on type design development projects in mono-line style for Devanagari, Bengali and Tamil scripts for display, exhibition or signage uses. I have designed a type design for Gujarati script in mono-line style for Gujarati Type Foundry. I designed type designs for Kannada and Malayalam scripts respectively for Deccan Herald and Malayam Manorama newspapers. Irrigation Map of Gujarat, 1987

In 2010, after retiring from NID, I designed a matching font with NeueFrutiger in five weights in Devanagari script for MonoType Corporation. You did other design projects as well? MP: Initially I could not find any clients for type design projects. In 1972, I ventured into map design for my city, Ahmedabad, without any idea what goes with it. During my one-year study of typography in Basel, I used a lot of maps and I was extremely impressed by them. I used the Basel map as my inspiration, and my Ahmedabad map received the DAVP award for best design and printing.

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Neue Frutiger Devanagari Designed for LinoType, 2013

I did several different types of map designs after that tourist map of Ahmedabad, bus route map of AMTS, tourist map of Goa, road map of Gujarat, irrigation map of Gujarat, ecology map of Kutch, cultural map of India, and industrial map of India. Without a proper signage system a good map is not effective in use. So, the next step was to venture into way-finding design including signage design and map design. I have designed a way-finding system and signage graphics for the NID campus, Tirupati, and Hyderabad city. In the 1970s I also worked on Exhibition Design. www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 35

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36 POOL #50

cover story Which designers have influenced you over the years? MP: K G Subramaniam (my fine arts teacher from MS University, Baroda) for cultivating basic artistic sensitivity and values; Armin Hofman (father of Swiss graphic design, Basel), for introducing me to the world of graphic design principles; Peter Teubler (student of Armin Hofman), for the fine craft of letterpress typography; Trilokesh Mukherjee (typographer and philosopher, UK), for insights into the role of a teacher and teaching; Max Hailstone (design teacher, New Zealand), for his novel approach to exploration in teaching; and Ashoke Chaterjee (executive director, NID), for cultivating a management mind-set in me. (Left) SBI Corporate Name in Major Indian scripts, 1989 (Top) SBI coporate boards, tri-lingual design

How, in your opinion, has design education in our country transformed over the years? MP: Design education started in the 1960s as a skill, in the 1970s it was a specialization, in the 1980s it become a design service, in the 1990s it was about concept design, in the 2000s it was design thinking, and now in the 2010s it has become about innovation design. Till year 2000 NID and IDC were the only major institutes of design, but today there are more than 10 institutes set up by private bodies. Teachers of design should be facilitating learning experiences for the students and sensitizing and enabling them to make appropriate choices in the world of abundance. Do students today pay less attention to the value and potential of typography as compared to the times when this was done manually? MP: Yes, it is the age of instant and fast work. The basic sensitivity and values generated and realized by physical manipulation seem to be missing. They have been replaced by www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 37

cover story computer sophistication, which is used to design products accidently or ignorantly. I find this quite disturbing. How has the Indian design industry changed over the years? MP: There is more awareness but not enough urgency to invest energy and funds in research and development work in design. But, at least design and industrial communities are now talking about it and there are some emerging forums that address these issues.

(Top) Type Design Project in Tolong Script by Aman Xara, IDC, 2011 (Bottom) Type Design Project by Ishwari, SID, 2013

What would you advise young creative minds? MP: Designers should educate, contribute to and serve society at large. Design must have a sense of responsibility and accountability. Students should be open to explore and experiment. They should be more aware of the economic, social and environmental contexts of the country. What mantra do you live by? MP: Follow the rules or break/make them with responsibility and accountability! mcpatel@theleafdesign.com

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Congratulations on the 50th issue! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a pleasure seeing POOL magazine come such a long way. Kudos to you all at Indi Design and to Sudhir Sharma for contributing to the contemporary Indian design scene. What I personally like about POOL is that it still stays strong and true to its early essence. All through the years it has given a platform for young and established talent in the nation to express themselves; this has be the most unique quality of POOL. Keep going! In future I would like POOL to take the good work to the next level by establishing a design exhibition with talks and lectures, and maybe even an Award. One thing I would like to point out is that POOL is only popular among the design community - it would be great if it could reach the general population which so needs design culture. Saif Faisal Saif Faisal Design Workshop, Bangalore www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 39

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Rupali Gupta Principal Architect, Gupta Architects Pencil The ubiquitous pencil is simple and easy to use. The grip of the pencil allows one to write, draft, draw, and sketch - accommodating different hand movements and strokes. The graphite pencils are available in different thickness and softness, from smudgy tones of grey to hard brittle black. There is something poetic about using a pencil, as the shrinking size of the pencil marks time and one's own activity. And its lead markings, like our existence, are erasable, ephemeral. (Photo credit, Mrs Scarborough, Wikipedia)

Bicycle It is a very convenient means of transport, cost effective and efficient (in its energy consumption, materiality, strength and size). You can carry bags on it, add a child's seat, or have a mountain or racing variant. It can be locked and left in a public space, yet is light enough to be transported. (My rented bicycle in Copenhagen. Picture credit: Rupali Gupta)

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam After a long, complex and tumultuous process, the restored, modernized 40 POOL #50

and expanded Rijksmuseum reopened to the city. I often cycle through its public passageway, and pause to relish the light filled interior. The new has been beautifully juxtaposed with the restored old. The spaces, art and light have a lyrical quality together, and on their own. This slice of the public realm of the Museum is visible to all passersby. DGP's Office, Chennai This building is an important part of the city's colonial past and heritage conservation. A stately form without being overpowering, it forms an urban front along the arterial beach road. Such buildings with their high ceilings, contiguous verandahs and slatted windows have a cool microclimate within. The historical continuity of place and memory make them important in the experience of an Indian city. (Photo credit: Madras Musings (ARCHIVE) Vol. XIX No. 13, October 16-31, 2009 )

Indelible Ink on your Nail The sign that you have made the effort to be part of democracy, that you want change. The symbol of ‘I have voted.’. Public Toilet The way finding signage for toilets is so simple, clear and universal. It has instant recognition. (Photo credit: Permel.com) gupta@guptaarchitects.com

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Shekhar Badve Founder and Director (Marketing and Strategy), Lokusdesign

Paper Clip Design is characterized by applying simple thinking to a seemingly complicated problem. The paper clip defines this concept to the core. The product properly utilizes the concept of torsion and elasticity in the wire, and friction between wire and paper. It uses bends in the most effective manner to grip sheets of paper. A paper clip is versatile in its nature; it can even be bent into a crude yet effective lockpicking device. Other interesting ways to use this design marvel is as a smartphone mount or to eject a stuck CD from your DVD drive. Multiple paper clips chained together can be simple to store and come handy for your child’s next science project. Do you remember making a compass as a child by using a paper clip and magnets, or understanding the way surface tension works by making a paper clip float in water? Such a simple design, but so much utility! This is truly a well-designed product. Pencil A pencil came in as a strong substitute to quill and ink. It eradicated problems users faced with quill and ink, such as mobility. The print in case of ink was not permanent, and there was a fear of losing important information. On the other hand, a pencil 42 POOL #50

is made of graphite, and leaves a lasting impression on a piece of paper. It can be used on multiple surfaces and is in the armory of every designer. A pencil is simple to produce, and the fact that it can be sharpened makes it reusable in nature and convenient to carry while travelling. Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal represents one of the finest and the most sophisticated examples of Mughal architecture. Although a mausoleum commissioned upon the death of Mumtaz Mahal, its detailed architectural design makes us connect to one of the most positive emotions around us: love. On the architectural front, the monument is conceived as a replica on Earth of the departed in paradise. A deliberate interplay has been established between the building's elements, its surface decoration, materials, geometric planning and its acoustics. The constantly changing sunlight reflected from the structure’s translucent marble has a metaphoric role intermingled in the design. Pune Wadas Born and brought up in Pune, I have a deep emotional bond with the old wadas in the city. These beautifully designed structures have a designated entrance and an open sky courtyard. The courtyard is a place where men and women often gather in the evening for tea and conversations. Having a hot cup of tea in the cool breeze of the monsoons with friends and family are

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memories that will always remain etched in my mind. These conversations and moments are very rare to find in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day and age. Adidas Logo When you think about sports apparel, Adidas is one name that you would not miss. The kind of influence that this giant brand holds in the minds of customers like me is fascinating. One cannot deny the influence of the brand identity on the extraordinary success of the company. The three stripes represent mountains pointing out towards challenges in the future and goals that can

be achieved. This has transformed the brand into an iconic and truly inspirational entity. Havells Logo The simplicity of the Havellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo is impressive. The unified image led to a global perception, adaptability, and increase in customer perception. This propelled the brand to be globally recognized, and the organization to be perceived as a trendsetter in the industry. The brand identity effectively captures the dynamic, leading, and adaptable brand essence of the organization. shekhar.badve@lokusdesign.com www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 43

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Anusheela Saha Senior Creative Director, Cheil India

Post-it I always have the square yellow notes sticking out of my books to mark reference pages. I always keep a pad of these in my drawer – they can be excellent doodle pads for DIY flipbooks during boring meetings! The digital avatar is not even close to the original. The Toilet The best place to be alone with one’s thoughts. I feel the toilet is one of the best inventions ever. It’s the place where I clear my head and have the best ideas striking my brain. The Writer’s Building It’s one of the most recognized buildings in Kolkata, second only to the Victoria Memorial. I love its conspicuous red color that makes it stand out. It’s one of the rare red brick structures in the city, and its Greco-Roman look, complete with the portico in the central bay, is formidable. No wonder it was converted to house the seats of power in the city. The Oberoi Gurgaon It’s just 7 km away from my home and I pass it very often. It made the most dramatic 46 POOL #50

first impression on me - I had to drive up a winding, elevated path towards the hotel lobby, located on the fifth floor of the building, and overlooking the most gorgeous reflection pool. Excellent doesn’t begin to describe this massive glass and steel structure set in acres of gardens, water features and forest. The Google Logo I see it multiple times a day and it always symbolizes one of the most helpful things within my arm’s reach – either on my phone or my desktop. It even manages to brighten up my day when it changes its avatar and becomes an intriguing doodle or a simple online game. The logo appears to be fairly humble, simple colors with no flashy font or symbols, but it has a deeper meaning. The logo features a pattern of primary colors, broken with a single letter shown in the secondary color of green. The broken pattern represents playfulness and the idea that Google isn’t a company that plays by the rules. A symbol that aptly symbolizes my sensibilities. The Macintosh Startup Chime A piece of sound design that starts my work day… I can’t imagine going through a day without it, except when I am holidaying. The single note chime indicates that diagnostic tests run immediately at startup have found no hardware or fundamental software problems. And for me the chime indicates a riveting start to a day anusheela.saha@gmail.com

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Anjali Mody Founder & Creative Director, Josmo Studio, Mumbai Reading glasses They are among the most adaptable and function based objects that have been created for everyday use. They make life easier and have become an expression of personal style. Mirror The mirror is still one of the most profound discoveries yet. So easily available and taken for granted, not many know that it is one of the oldest objects, dating back to 6000 BC. For me, the mirror will forever remain a timeless object whose necessity will never die. Kanchanjunga I am in awe of this building by Charles Correa for the sole reason that it stands out in the skyline of the overpopulated city of Mumbai. It is one of the few buildings that portray the creation of modern architecture in post-Independence India. It is a building that is simple in form but complex in planning, which makes its broken facade a mystery to me. Bharat Insurance Building I enjoy observing the Bharat Insurance building in Mumbai because of the contrast that its arc-shaped exterior creates with the buildings that surround it. The facade of the building reminds me of Gaudi's style of architecture - he used a similar relief work on his building exteriors. The building's stone walls create a warm, subtle glow that resonates with me. Swastika A universal symbol rooted deeply in Hindu mythology and Indian culture, the swastika has become a household sign for luck and prosperity. The symbol intrigues me because swastikas have also been used in various other ancient civilizations around the world including Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Nepal, China, Japan, Korea and Europe. anjali@josmostudio.com 48â&#x20AC;&#x192; POOLâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;#50

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Navya & Divya Co-Founders, Blueprint Navya Niranjan Pencil My pencil and I have been in love since the first sketch. When we are together I clear my mental inbox of any thoughts and all I have there are ideas. The simple black line has the power to put down my thoughts and ideas on paper and make it come to life. It allows me to make mistakes and correct myself. I can go on a fantasy ride with my pencil where anything I imagine can come true. My pencil is my weapon of choice. The Cypress at North Park, San Jose The Cypress at North Park apartments in San Jose are adjacent to 5-Acre Moitozo Park and have picturesque views of the foothills and orange orchards. It is a little bit of heaven in the middle of the city. As you pass it one cannot help but feel serene and happy. You almost want to reach out and pluck the oranges! Starbucks Every day when I see the Starbucks symbol on my kitchen counter I am reminded of hot aromatic coffee. The morning sun hits the window and I am up to start the day…the first thing I like to hear is the ‘beep’ of the coffee machine. I patiently wait while the coffee trickles into the coffee pot and the aroma refreshes me instantly. My husband comes over to me with my big mug of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, and the caffeine wakes me up and gets me going. 50 POOL #50

Divya Niranjan Laptop My laptop is my best friend. One click on the power button and I enter a world where almost anything is possible. There is information at my disposal at anytime. It allows me to work when and where I want. It plays my favorite tracks when I am bored, and when I want to connect with my family they are a click away. My laptop allows me to be more productive and helps me with ideas for improvement. It is my little magic box. Saravana Bhawan Hot idlis, crisp dosas, good filter coffee, and the name Saravana Bhawan comes to mind. It's the one destination where one can get the best South Indian experience. Just the thought of the sambhar tickles your tongue. When the one-foot long dosa comes your way all you want to do it is sink your fingers into it and enjoy the crisp bite. It's the true taste of South Indian cuisine.

Today the world has become so small and one of the major reasons for this is the internet. The one thing that ties up what the internet is all about is the ‘@’ symbol. It makes all the applications easy. One of the first uses of this symbol was in email addresses, and now it is used in various other ways. It makes tagging on social networking sites way easier. It is a symbol used everyday in different ways and its application is only expanding. navya@blueprintcoleccion.com divya@blueprintcoleccion.com

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Liane De Selys Director and Designer, Joli Designs Pvt. Ltd.

Nimbu Squeezer I have been addicted to Lime Soda since I was a child. Coming to India I was blessed - in a couple of steps, the limes or lemons are juiced, and my Lime Soda is ready! A dash of salt and I am in heaven. The simplest type of squeezer works best. Often it has a bottle-opener option too. Oversize key ring Ladies bags are always full of junk…sorry, very important stuff…and keys tend to get lost, leaving us quite irritated. Using an oversize key ring helps me find my keys quickly. It makes my life that little bit smoother, and stress-free. Bloomrooms Hotel, New Delhi Located on Link Road, this sleek, simple and beautiful structure just stands out from the Jangpura Extension mess. I still need to see the interiors for myself, but visuals on the net give the impression that it is even better inside. B19 Nizamuddin East It’s a beautiful boutique hotel in Nizamuddin East, overlooking Humayun's tomb. The Hawk Often painted on trucks here, I love the hawk because it represents India's strength and pride. When I see it while commuting around Delhi by car or rickshaw, it reminds me to stay strong and continue my passion. Om It signifies hope, inner happiness and spirituality. liane@joliindia.com 52 POOL #50

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Aarti Karwayun Independent Artist

Paint Brush A brush is just a long or short wooden stick with bristles/ hair but it can create so much magic. It’s inexplicable how something as simple as animal hair can help an artist give shape and form to her imagination. Safety Pin A very common object, used to hold together things ranging from a sari to a baby’s cloth diaper. My mother used to keep it handy in her purse or sometimes even hanging from her bangles for emergency times. From basic utility to being a punk rock fashion fad in the ’70s, for all we know, the almighty safety pin might be dying a slow death in modern times. A Market Place called India This is a tribute to the beauty called India… modern cities that are so overcrowded yet manage to retain their charm, identity and in this context, religious faiths. A market place like any other in a Bangalore neighborhood, but what is odd, or natural for that matter, is that a temple and a church share not just a boundary wall, but also its devotees. By design, or by default, this is the India I love. L72 Anuraaga It’s home to us. Designed in the ’70s as a middle class colony for the Life India Insurance employees, the homes and the 56 POOL #50

community are built for personal living spaces as well as for social and community interactions to flourish. Keeping in mind an extended family life, these duplex homes provide well ventilated and designed spaces for adequate natural light, air, heat, cold, and rains; they also enable kitchen and terrace garden spaces. Parks and playgrounds become common meeting places for all ages…for fun, and to manage community interactions. OM A symbol I see at my yoga session, in neighborhood temples, in various paan shops, at a new store opening, and on wedding cards... Other than its spiritual associations across the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths, globally ‘Om’ has been iconized by the hippie revolution and is a universally recognized symbol of counterculture in the western world. ‘Om’ as a mantra and a symbol personally gives me faith and courage. 'Like' button on Facebook The ‘like’ button on facebook is the most commonly used, to the point of being abused, symbol and icon for this generation. A generation now obsessed with social recognition and ‘likeability’, we all have been guilty at some point or the other of seeking ‘likes’ on a profile picture, or the album of a vacation, or simply a minor achievement that we want to share. In fact, an e-commerce website’s motto is ‘live for likes’! Like it or hate it, none of us can get away from it. aartikarwayun@gmail.com

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Saif Faisal Saif Faisal Design Workshop, Bangalore Refillable Soda Bottle (Goti Soda) This almost has a cult status in many cultures. The ingenious ‘codd-neck’ or ‘goti soda’, as it is popularly known to us, is among the most frugal mass consumer product packaging I’ve ever come across. This bottle with a marble in its neck uses the carbonation in the beverage itself to seal it. It doesn’t even waste a cap every time someone uses it, and can be refilled as long as it exists. The marble moving in the neck makes the experience of drinking out of it all the more enjoyable. I think it’s the only drink in the world which can be pleasantly experienced with the ears too. The best part of it has to be the trouble it gives a playful child trying to retrieve the marble. This crude looking glass bottle is appreciable at many levels - cultural, social, ecological, economical and emotional. Sewing Needle This prehistoric tool, used to put together two animal hides, is still as important as it was to the caveman; it’s been used by humans from as far back as 60,000 BC. No matter what the progress in sewing technology, it is still a needle of some sort that carries out the end job even in a state-of-the-art sewing machine. Now made with sophisticated alloys, it has come a long way from being made of bones and ivory. This simple tool exemplifies the necessity and purity of a useful design. 58 POOL #50

Raintree It’s a colonial bungalow from the last century in Vasanthnagar, Bangalore. This is in no way an iconic or extremely impressive building; it’s the part it plays in the larger context that is striking. It is being used as a boutique for some fashion label and has a French patisserie in the rear part. You drive up to it through a narrow alley and suddenly enter the compound. This former private home sits in a corner of a large open space in a densely populated city. It brings a little tradition to the otherwise fairly new city with not many historical references. What makes it one of my favorite buildings is the impact it has on the urban landscape. The experience of sitting at a table under the trees, enjoying those delicious pastries, is just amazing! It makes you forget you are in an urban area. Fire Station on Sarjapur Road, Bangalore Completed in 2010, this fire station sets the standard for government buildings, which are usually lifeless and thoughtless; in that sense I feel it’s one of the landmark buildings in Bangalore. The profession of a firefighter is one of the most challenging and honorable; sadly in our country it barely gets the attention and respect it demands. This relatively unusual fire station, equipped with a state-of-the-art gym and dormitory, provides a deserving ambience for the people involved in the profession. It’s designed by D+A Architects and built by CREDAI. The design harks back to the principles of great Italian master Gio Ponti; concrete columns making way for five bays that follow the variation of the forces by being tapered towards the top, glazed diamond cutouts on the roof, and the blue and white color. All

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these details make for a very dynamic form. I hope this inspires the future PWD building practices in India. Recyclable Wise cultures through the ages have always recognized the moral, economical and ecological values of recycling and practiced it in some form or the other. Everyone today is pretty much aware of the impact of our acts on this planet. Recycling is not a choice anymore; the simple green symbol is very much synonymous with the health of Earth, and the existence of species on it. I strongly feel everything we produce in this third industrial revolution should be in some way recyclable or reusable, with some digital signature for every

element produced. We often get carried away with the terms ‘development’ and ‘growth’ – we must weigh our moral and ethical obligations against our lust to senselessly bloat. Puma Shoes This is purely a case of brand identity integrated into the design of a product - one of the best I’ve come across in this segment! No, I’m not talking about the leaping cat - I’m talking about those three dynamic stripes on the outer sides of the shoes, which make the footwear distinctly recognized from a distance. It’s all the more fitting for a brand closely associated with motorsports to have that kind of visual dynamism. design@saif-faisal.com www.indipool.com 59

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Madhura Kulkarni Industrial Product Designer, Parksons Packaging Ltd. Rolling pin Kitchens, especially Indian ones, seem to be incomplete without the humble rolling pin. Its usage calls for some expertise. I am unable to trace the origin of this indispensable object. I wonder who its inventor was and when it came into existence. Zippers How difficult it would be to imagine a world without zippers! Locking a bag or keeping the ends of a garment together would have been a daily challenge. When I see a child who is fascinated by the zipping and unzipping mechanism, it makes me wonder how easily design and engineering penetrates our mind. Though the magic of such simple things fades away as we grow into complex beings, we tend to appreciate these basics when we find the zipper of our favorite accessory is stuck! Kumar Properties Office, Pune One expects to see heritage structures with a blend of modernism in the Camp area of Pune. This building however springs up on one of the busiest streets of the city and stands as an icon of modern architecture. The fact that an onlooker cannot ignore its existence is what I like about it the most. Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune To appreciate a hospital for its existence may not be an obvious thing as it’s a necessity. 60 POOL #50

But, to construct a hospital in a way such that it not only takes care of the necessities but also the convenience of people commands respect. The structure spreads out in a circle, giving a whole new meaning to the organization. The interiors are unlike the routine close walled dark alleys of hospitals that restrict vision and add to the mounting tension of the people inside.

The small ‘a’ inscribed in a small ‘e’ reflects the ever existing connection between subjects, people and languages. It looks like a stamp which says that the subject is present and will remain so. I always thought of it as a short hand symbol for ‘at’ or ‘at the rate of’ till I realized that it originated in c.1345 and is historically being used as an abbreviation in many fields to convey various different meanings. This made me aware of the enormous power of communication that a symbol can carry and express. Recycle Symbol The present day awareness of this symbol is huge. Every second thing that we hold is or is supposed to be recycled. The moment we come across this symbol it awakens our consciousness to the fact that a team of people have made an effort to make this utility recyclable, and now we have to contribute our bit to it. I believe the upward triangle shows progress, and the circle shows continuity / chain and a wheel that is in motion. All the elements urge us to think and act accordingly. madhura.kulkarni@mitid.edu.in

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Ashvina Vakil Copy Editor, POOL Magazine Human Body What could be better designed than the human body? It’s the perfect combination of esthetics and mind-boggling functionality! Look around you… and there’s the same perfection in nature everywhere. India House Christopher Benninger’s India House in Pune. Built around a central courtyard,

62 POOL #50

it is like an oasis of peace far removed from the bustle of an increasingly noisy city. Lotus pools and palm trees and other traditional motifs add color and character to a space that is a wonderful amalgamation of architectural design and environmental sensibility. Definitely a sight for sore eyes. Garfield Garfield…the lazy cat is a symbol of all that I probably aspire to be! His myriad expressions, ranging from blissful contentment to wicked, unholy glee, are truly inspired. He certainly makes my day! ashvina.vakil@gmail.com

My tryst with POOL began with a singular contribution in the form of an interview quite recently, followed by a sustained dialogue with its very encouraging editorial team. Although quite inadequate in reciprocation for what the team at POOL gifted me in the form of a platform to share thoughts about my design practice and philosophy, a gratitude note is the least I can offer. The POOL feature opened up several avenues for me and our rather newly incepted studio, Anugraha, by helping us to connect with likeminded people, spaces, places and inspiration that constitute the magazine's readership. The flexibility of the template, the openness to receive, large amounts of freedom to express, and a strong editorial decision of not 'editing down' characterized my interaction with the editorial team, making it a very pleasant experience to share. I am massively grateful to POOL and its editorial team for the support and encouragement. Deshna Mehta Founder, Anugraha www.indipool.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 63

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