AT A GLANCE
Naga Nandini Dasgupta
Professor
Area of Practice:
OVERVIEW
I am a product designer and I have worked with craft communities in eastern India since 1990. I have worked on product development and setting up artisan groups. I have also worked on communication material for craft groups and non-profits, like websites, catalogues and print material. I have also worked and participated in the idea of Fair Trade for several years now. My interests lie in crafts, the people involved in them, and the way they think and live – and the solutions that they offer to many of the problems we face today. This interest has evolved into the Frugal Design Lab at Srishti to learn and understand the role of frugal practices in design. I’m also part of a group working on Design Ethics.
Design is inclusive, and can and should address people from all walks of life. I have been working at Srishti (Now Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology) since 2008 in various capacities including curriculum development, course administration and teaching.
Head of Assessment and Records
EDUCATION
MA Design Practices, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance Architect (2017 – Current),
Faculty at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art Design and Technology (2017 – Current),
2008 – Current: Faculty at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (SMI), Bangalore
– Academic Dean
– Dean: Design, Business and Technology
– Member, Board of Studies, IQAC
– Coordinator, Frugal Design DESIS Lab at SMI (part of the Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability Network)
2022: Trustee, Selco Foundation, Bangalore
2006 -2007: Product Development with traditional Artisans and groups, Design projects with Sasha, Kolkata and Anwesha, Bhubaneshwar
Branding and identity for a group of organic farmers in Anantapur district, AP
2004 – 2014: Communication design for Sasha, Kolkata – brochures, product catalogues, and presentations on their work for fair Trade and exhibitions
1993 -1998: Design Consultant with Sasha, Calcutta. Designed and managed label of hand-painted garments AKARA
1989 -1993: Product designer with government-sponsored craft projects with NGOs in West Bengal and Orissa with a variety of materials including cane, bamboo, wood, metal (dhokra), leather, textile, hand embroidery, jewellery and terracotta
INTEREST AREAS
Frugal Design, Systems thinking, Sustainability, Design and Ethics, Crafts
CURRENT PRACTICE AT SRISHTI
Faculty, Academic administration
TEACHING PORTFOLIO
Projects and Seminars
CREATIVE PRACTICE & OUTREACH
Exhibition and museum design, Design for craft, Systems and communication Design
