Picture Credits: Srishti Institute

Srishti Manipal Institute has a strong tradition of practice-based and scholarly research. The research domains range from art practices and design imaginations to situated technologies and new humanities. Creative and critical practices at Srishti involve deep engagements with and discourses around ideas from, and issues of, the Global South, communities, materials, ethics and complex ecologies.

Innovation @ Srishti Manipal – A Strategic Perspective:

The four creative impact ecosystems of Srishti’s Strategy and Vision are:

Each of these ecosystems has within it various complementary entities such as Centers and Labs, in addition to the Programs that anchor our core academic offerings.

The Centers and Labs in each ecosystem, along with Design Principals, Scholars- and Artists-in-Residence, various Projects and Initiatives, play an important role in Srishti Manipal’s Innovation strategy, a crucial enabler of our mission and the promise to deliver “Creative Competence – Ahead of the Curve”.

Each entity within these ecosystems derives its focus and approach from the seven dimensions of excellence, with varying emphasis placed on those dimensions that best align with its specific purpose.

Labs in Srishti Manipal:

The Labs within Srishti play an important role in creating an open, collaborative environment for experimenting with and producing cutting-edge ideas for interdisciplinary creative impact practice.

In the course of their work they produce pedagogical insights that are incorporated into the course offerings. Working with external practitioner ecosystems, they disseminate knowledge broadly and most importantly; create real-world opportunities for students to practice their acquired capabilities.

Srishti Labs - Design Principles:

In alignment with the overall Srishti Manipal strategic architecture and vision, Srishti Labs conduct their work typically based on the following principles:

• They take on challenges that push new frontiers in impact-making practice through the inter-disciplinary use of Art, Design and Technology.
• They maintain a practical, application-oriented perspective in the projects they undertake.
• They create opportunities for student practitioners to apply capabilities acquired through the academic programs.
• They are open, systemic and inter-disciplinary and practice co-creation with diverse stakeholders within Srishti Manipal and outside.
• They develop new methods, tools and techniques as a result of their work.
• They harvest knowledge from their work to inform Srishti Manipal’s academic offerings.

Active Labs:

Currently the following Labs are active in Srishti Manipal:

Centers at Srishti Manipal

The interdisciplinary application of Art, Design and Technology for transformational and better societal futures opens up avenues for novel and deeper understanding and inquiry in all the contemporary ecosystems of Srishti Manipal’s interest..

Srishti Manipal’s Mission and Vision make it incumbent on it to foster and promote the creation of new knowledge and the associated research and scholarship, a key pillar of the seven Dimensions of Excellence.

Various Centers at Srishti Manipal are integral to delivering on Srishti Manipal’s promise of creating leading edge, forward-looking Creative Competence. The Centers complement the Labs and Academic Programs in serving the needs of the student population as well faculty and the broader society, through educational offerings and research opportunities.

Srishti Centers - Design Principles:

In alignment with the overall Srishti Manipal strategic architecture and vision, Srishti Centers conduct their work typically based on the following principles:

• They advance new frontiers in research and scholarship through the inter-disciplinary use of Art, Design and Technology.
• They are open, systemic and inter-disciplinary and practice co-creation with diverse stakeholders within Srishti Manipal and outside.
• They foster the creation of a knowledge commons and facilitate the fluid exchange of knowledge.
• They create opportunities for student practitioners and faculty to advance academic and scholarly work.
• They develop new methods, tools and techniques as a result of their work.
• They harvest knowledge from their work to inform Srishti Manipal’s academic offerings.

Active Centers:

Currently the following Centers are active in Srishti Manipal:

Open/Public Creative Impact Platforms

In addition to the activities carried out at the Labs and Centers that cater to the needs of practitioners, academics and scholars, the Srishti Manipal ecosystem also creates and supports open public platforms for creative impact making practice.

Focused around themes of societal interest, such as, Environment, Urbanization, Heritage, Oral History, Development, Livelihoods, Gender, Equity, etc. these platforms create and nurture diverse, open spaces for dialog and practice.

Through the interdisciplinary application of art, design and technology, public and practitioners together collaborate on various projects, such as the following:

Often started as Student Projects, successful efforts grow into open platforms that support diverse practitioner ecosystems, encourage public participation, and evolve over time to address issues of contemporary interest.

The “Cultures of Resilience” project is one such example of an open/public platform that will evolve over time, creating practice spaces for students, faculty and external practitioners.

Serving also as a showcase for student work, these platforms help in bringing Srishti Manipal's unique perspectives on creative impact making to the broader society.

Spaces of Professional Practice

Srishti Manipal recognizes the need for deliberate exposure to the diverse ideas of real-world practitioners. In order to foster such an ongoing and visible conversation within its own environment, Srishti provides creative spaces for Design Professionals and Artists. Several Design Principals, Scholars-in-ResidenceArtists-in-Residence associate with Srishti Manipal and help it bridge the world of academics with real-world practice

Active Spaces

Currently the following Initiatives are active in Srishti Manipal: