IIAD Hosts Fourth Edition of Industry Conclave
New Delhi : Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) hosts its fourth edition of the industry conclave an annual event aimed at fostering exchanges and knowledge sharing . More than 50 industries leaders from 40 leading brands gathered in the Conclave. The conclave served as a platform for over 140 students and alumni and faculty members to interact in-person with the industry experts.
Notable brands who participated included big names such as Ernst & Young LLP, India Today, Charkhee, Sarita Handa Exports Pvt. Ltd, Nutrabay, Groyyo, PDS Group, J C Penney, Laliittya, Design Plus, RLDA Studios, Miraggio, Genie Mode, Alt Mobility, QUOD, RATA, OR & Aur, Kaboom Social Impact, Yellow Brick Road Media, PLUGD, and more.
In a time marked by global challenges, the imperative for design to drive positive social change has never been more pronounced. This year’s conclave focused on the theme “Creating Social Impact by Design,” emphasising the growing importance of design in addressing contemporary challenges.
The World Cafe format facilitated one-on-one interactions between students and industry experts from various design sectors, including communication, fashion business management, fashion design, and interior architecture and design.
Fashion design and fashion management experts discussed sustainable fashion’s role in social impact. The conversation also covered community engagement and deconstructing old practices. A key takeaway was the need for individual commitment and authenticity to drive sustainable fashion.
The discussion at the Interior Architecture and Design department centred around the importance of user-centric design that adapts to specific contexts and celebrates diverse needs. The dialogue explored ways to incorporate diverse design trends and materials in a culturally sensitive manner. Collaboration strategies were debated, with some advocating for involving the community directly rather than just relying on specialists.
Communication design experts urged creating valuable designs that enhance existing ideas. They discouraged free work and advocated empowering local artists through monetization strategies. The discussion also emphasised integrating design thinking and marketing, addressing sustainability throughout the process. Experts advocated for a shift designers becoming facilitators, collaborating with audiences, and iterating for impactful design.
By offering students real-world exposure, initiatives like Industry Conclave prepare them for the contemporary demands of the industries, thus acting as a bridge between academia and industry.