“The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns, just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.” - John Maeda

Developing a prototype to gather realtime data about rider on bike

Vision

Objects that ‘behave’ and ‘communicate’ have rapidly moved from the realm of science fiction to our homes, shelves, and pockets. Products are no longer static but are expected to interact, inform and guide. In a similar vein, data is now available in quantities larger than was imagined in the recent past. Patterns have to be seen and conveyed, often interactively in real-time.

We facilitate design and art professionals of the future who can work in multiple contexts, make complex connections, lead and manage change. We facilitate and inculcate working with autonomy towards a clear self-position, be it an entrepreneur, a design lead, or an independent creative practitioner.

As these technologies become accessible, it becomes necessary to find ways to make a meaningful difference in the quality of people’s lives. While many of these technologies are actively used in entertainment, their potential in education and healthcare has much left uncovered. Innovation in these areas will be based on design-led computation.

Computation and algorithms allow a designer to break out of the static to make products that evolve; while tangible materials remain as important as they have always been, intangible materials like code and language enable the structure of objects to move from finite points to become more like a spectrum.

Course Structure

Taught over two semesters, this one-year graduate level program is designed to build a strong foundation towards the Masters programs (M.F.A, M.Des, M.Plan). The program is delivered through course work which is hands on and rooted in context.

• Studios
• Workshops
• Contextual enquiry
• Theory and Understanding Units
• Project
• Portfolio development
• Knowledge Enhancement (Ability or Skills)

Learning Approaches

• The Bridge program has been crafted for students to develop their creative skills at a foundational level.
• The program encourages the understanding of art and design practice through unlearning.
• The process helps students reflect on their training so far, break down convictions and reorient them for discovery.
• Acquire proficiency in using tools of thinking, visualisation, inquiry and questioning.

Learning about cellular automata on 2d grid

Capability Sets

• To envision – an idea, a project, a future, a system, a practice, an industry
• To be industrious – to engage and persist, to analyze and synthesize, to translate and refine, to be proficient
• To be curious – to explore and stretch, to challenge convention, to push boundaries
• To be empathic – to people, to the ecology, to practices, to material
• To be a conscious practitioner – to understand worldviews, develop alertness, to lead and manage with the ability to understand systems

Opportunities

These capability sets equip and prepare the student for a wide range of opportunities with:

• Masters Programs– Join the Masters programs at Srishti Manipal and other Design insititures that require 4 years of UG education
• Creative Manufacturing Sectors – To be able to work in the non-governmental sector as well as mainstream Industry.
• Family owned and managed Businesses – working for or creating a family venture, to bring in new practices and methods to rejuvenate older traditions.
• Start-ups, small and medium enterprises – Propositioning as a contemporary practitioner, entrepreneur or design consultant

People

Enquiries

Disciplinary Intersections

The program is informed by the following learning disciplines

Research and Collaboration

The students under this program will have the opportunity to work with the following centers and labs at Srishti Manipal.