Thought leaders in business management have recently begun to
recognize the importance of design and design thinking in formulating
business strategies and implementation of integrated management
decisions. As a result understanding the deployment and management of
design processes and practices has become a major focus of capability
development for the corporate sector. Particularly, the consumerdriven
businesses perceive the role of design thinking as significant in
developing and delivering innovative products and processes.
While the initial impetus for a programme comes from the recognition
of its relevance for the profit-making businesses, the framework and
methods can be meaningfully applied to the improvement of public
services such as healthcare systems, transportation systems, public
sanitation, public safety and security systems, and education-for-all.
There are also many examples where designers have made a difference in
the development of rural artisans by helping them translate their crafts
into contemporary products successfully delivered in the urban markets.
Designers have been continually discovering new challenges towards
finding an appropriate balance between human wellbeing, economics,
and environment. The generic thinking and manual skills imparted
to students during their design education at NID drive them towards
achieving integrative solutions relevant for their context of application.
The five post-graduate programmes at the PG Campus - Apparel Design
and Merchandising (ADM), Toy and Game Design (TGD), Strategic Design
Management (SDM), Lifestyle Accessory Design (LAD), and New Media
Design (NMD) - are advanced programmes of design learning with a
balance of research, practice, and active interactions with businesses and
stakeholders. The programmes are focused on developing a new breed
of designers and design managers, who would fill a serious gap in the
understanding of traditionally trained engineers and managers about
design profession, and its methods and paradigms. Additionally, they
are also groomed to support the design groups working in the industry
become business-focused with a commitment to deliver well within the
given time and resource constraints. The graduates from these disciplines
are prepared to meet the challenges of the rapid change in our living and
business environments.
We have very challenging times ahead, and I sincerely believe that graduating
students will be able to demonstrate the value they bring to the table in the
future contexts of life and business. I wish the outgoing graduates a great
sense of personal and professional fulfilment in their careers.
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