Ahmedabad, February 18, 2024: The third and final day of the Ahmedabad Design Week 5.0 (ADW 5.0) concluded with several insightful discussions, lectures, and hands-on workshops. ADW 5.0 is a design conclave and a confluence of globally renowned design experts, thought leaders, researchers, and stalwarts, organised by Karnavati University, and presented by Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID). The inaugural ceremony of the three-day event took place on Friday morning at the varsity campus itself. Karnavati University is a state private university dedicated to excellence in teaching and is focused on interdisciplinary learning.
The day began with a panel discussion, titled ‘Unplugged: Jazz, Pixels, and Life’ which brought together a group of inspiring designers— Mr Krishan Jagota, Mr Sinbad Phgura, Ms Merlyn Dsouza, Ms Mehek Mirzaprabhu, and Ms Ayesha Parikh. The speakers have transitioned across different worlds of design and offered a unique perspective on the ever-evolving design landscape.
Mr Sanath P C of Firefly Studios provided a valuable overview of the ecosystem of film making and the pivotal role of visual effects in this dynamic medium.
The day also featured a captivating session by sustainable designer Ms Neha Dewan, who practices eco-printing and owns the brand Advitiya. Students were immersed in the beauty of eco-printing, learning to harness the power of nature to create stunning botanical art on their own ECO-PRINTED Tote bags. The process involved using organic materials such as onion peels, rose petals, and marigolds, providing students with hands-on experience in pre-treatment and post-care of eco-printed fabrics. The commitment to sustainability was further emphasized by Gajesh Mitkari, lead visual designer for “phool.co,” who shared insights into creating magic visuals and highlighted the collaborative nature of branding and packaging.
In addition to speaker sessions and panel discussions, workshops like the Design Futures workshop with Susan and Riya Majumdar’s workshop on swimwear culture in India further added depth to the final day of ADW 5.0.
The day also featured a Bamboo Jewellery Workshop conducted by master craftsman Sonubhai Gadar from Saputara, Gujarat, adding a touch of traditional artistry to the day. Students were exposed to various techniques of weaving bamboo, showcasing the fusion of tradition and innovation in crafting intricate jewellery pieces.
The closing panel, ‘Design for the Gods: The Ayodhya Story,’ provided a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at bringing mythology to life. The challenges faced by the Ayodhya Development Authority in transforming the city into a beautiful tourism destination were discussed, along with insights into the divine and spiritual experience of creating costumes for Ram Lalla and the journey of building India’s largest fountain at Ayodhya.
Started as India Design Confluence (IDC) in 2018 and later rebranded, ADW originated with the philosophy of providing a vibrant and gyrating platform for creative enthusiasts to showcase and express their ideas and concepts before a community of designers, academicians, innovators, global advocates, industry captains and professionals from the world of design and other creative domains.
