Mr. Akshay is an assistant professor at Symbiosis International (Deemed University). He has more than six years of teaching, research, and industry experience in the architecture and planning industry. His previous work was under ASCI (Hyderabad), the Housing and Urban Development Department (Odisha), NIUA (New Delhi), and VNIT (Nagpur). Besides being an influential faculty member of the institute, he is IQAC head, IPR cell In-charge, Head of Consultancy Cell, etc. 

SSPAD

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

Over the past years, I have found myself closer to academics and research. I enjoy teaching and mentoring students to influence them toward design concerns. As an architect, I firmly believe that design is not merely defining spaces but a method for humans to establish relationships with nature, cultures, customs, and the built environment. I visualize this field of creativity as a tool to transform the societal environment favorable to humans and nature. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is a prestigious university in design that creates a sensible learning ecosystem for its students. The education sector is an important sector where faculty members can effectively exchange ideas and experience through knowledge systems and cooperate towards constant learning with future trends.

What factors make the Bachelor's in Design (B. Des) program of SSPAD, Nagpur, the best for students to opt for?

The bachelor's in Design Program at SSPAD Nagpur keeps students close to the design industry. It is a multidisciplinary course that blends imagination, technology, and social science under a single canvas. The course curriculum is a perfect blend of academics and industry. 

The program exposes students to various tools, simulations, industry visits, real-time case studies, live projects, and other innovative pedagogical practices. Moreover, With the provision of a mandatory internship program, students are provided a platform to work with artisans and understand the process and technique involved in making the final artifact or final product and decode the relationship between the artisans and the importance of their spaces as well to perform the Activity. SSPAD is one of the best design schools in India, where students get exposure to local artifacts made out of locally available sources and materials.

What skills should the students work on before joining the Design program at SSPAD, Nagpur?

Creativity is the first and foremost skill that every design aspirant must possess. Apart from that, various other skills, such as Imagination, Communication, sketching, knowledge of Basic digital tools, etc., are required to pursue a design career.

Check Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design (SSPAD), Nagpur Courses & Fees

How do you build the industry connection in this program at SSPAD, Nagpur?

Symbiosis School of Planning Architecture and Design Nagpur has established a training and placement cell to fill the skill gap between graduates and professionals. It conducts industry-academia conclaves, symposiums, webinars, events, etc., to strengthen the bond between industry and academics. It aims to bridge the gap between industry and academics through collaborative work on research and creative ideations. Thus, in this way, we help the students with structured channels to enter into the profession.

What are the career options for the students pursuing B. Des. at SSPAD, Nagpur?

Currently, SSPAD runs various design specializations, such as; communication design, graphic design, UX design, industrial design, interior space design, and product design. 

Graduates in Communication Design (Graphic Design and User Experience Design) find employment opportunities as graphic designers, logo designers, typography and publication designers, web designers, user experience designers, etc., in the advertising and printing industry and mobile application industry. 

Graduates of Industrial Design (Product Design and Interior Space Design) find employment opportunities in transportation, white goods, furniture and interior, engineering products and systems, residential and commercial space design sector, furniture design, exhibition, and retail spaces.

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Do you have extracurricular activities/ programs to enhance students’ skills or expose them to real-world challenges?

The rich diversity in classrooms and on-campus combined with a multicultural focus in all activities has led to the nurturing of global citizenship values. The SSPAD is committed to ensuring that students are future-ready for a more globalized yet volatile world and responsible, culturally sensitized global citizens with a deep appreciation for their local/regional heritage. To provide students best knowledge translation and acquisition, mobilization of talent in support of global research, and enhancement of the curriculum with international content, which will create a benefit for them in various mediums such as; student exchange programs, Internships, value-added courses, industry visits, educational tours, webinars from eminent experts, etc. Also, to benefit students from global trends and establish collaboration and agreements with regional, International universities. The international dimensions of the curriculum, teaching, research, and extracurricular activities help students to develop international and intercultural skills without ever leaving their country. Internationalization facilitates engendering the international characteristics fostered in students, which are desirable in global economies, such as open-mindedness, second language competence, flexibility of thinking, tolerance, and respect for others.

How is Bachelor in Design (B. Des) different from other professional courses, and what are the future opportunities for the students pursuing this course?

Design is a creative and skill-based course for students who want to explore new ideas for communication between words and images in traditional and innovative media. Design is a field that should urge students to use their creativity to conceptualize things around them. Whatever we observe around us is 'designed,' clothes, bags, booklets, the frames of the glasses, furniture, visuals, and the sound of movies, etc. It's a lifetime commitment. For example, In today's era, new websites are being founded in every single sector every day, only because of the designers. That’s why the world needs more designers (Graphic, UI-UX).