Dr.Adity Saxena is a distinguished professor in the field of arts and design with 20+ years of vast experience across various specializations. Dr.Adity is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the College Art Association (CAA), the USA, from 2022 to 2026. She has been featured in The Academic Woman Magazine, the UK, in the Jan-March, 2022 issue. In addition, she has also been invited to work as an external member in Design Thinking for Social Change, funded by the European Union.

Her experience includes allied fields like working as a Restorative Justice co-facilitator in a school project in the United States and many global research projects. She is an Indian representative of Restorative Justice Education, USA. She has been awarded with Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Noida.

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You held key positions at various prestigious institutions throughout your career. What is that one thing that made you excited and walk with Woxsen on the journey?

Most of my prior workplaces were well-established but needed more room for process improvement and innovative experimentation. As an educator, I have always aspired to be part of an academic environment that encourages experimentation, innovation, and a willingness to take educational risks. Today’s higher education landscape is challenging due to global conflicts and prevailing mainstream ideologies that many universities feel compelled to follow. Woxsen University, however, came as a breath of fresh air, offering a supportive environment for creativity, innovation, and risk-taking. What I find most appealing about Woxsen University is its dynamic pace, diversity, and commitment to equality. It’s a place dedicated to crafting a unique learning journey for students, empowering them to become responsible citizens who can make a tangible impact on the world.

What truly sets Woxsen apart is that its vision and framework aren’t just empty words on paper or digital platforms; they are actively embraced and practiced by everyone associated with the university. I am particularly excited about the internationalization and ERS activities at Woxsen, as they provide a unique opportunity to witness students; transformation from learners to well-rounded individuals.

How do you balance the needs of faculty, students, and administration as a dean of a school of arts and design?

As Dean, I establish a supportive and trust-based ecosystem. I apply empathy, Restorative Justice, and Design Thinking to gain insights from other’s perspectives and navigate effectively. I cultivate a self-sustaining environment that isn’t reliant solely on me. As a Leader, I recognize my colleague's contributions and take responsibility for errors, fostering a fearless atmosphere. Regular interactions with students, CRs, faculty, and workshop staff help me grasp their needs and concerns, enabling me to bridge gaps. I involve students and faculty in decision-making, enhancing ownership and system trust. Information accessibility and system transparency connect diverse stakeholders, facilitating collaboration to overcome individual limitations.

As a Dean of the School of Arts and Design, what is the USP or what are the differentiating factors that make Woxsen stand out from other arts and design colleges?

Our particular emphasis lies in Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development, addressing the challenge faced by many designers who venture into starting their own brands after graduation. Research has shown that limited understanding can lead to difficulties and even failures in these entrepreneurial endeavors. At Woxsen School of Arts and Design, we are committed to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among our design students. This not only empowers them to launch their startups but also equips them to be valuable assets to any organization and lifelong learners. This focus on entrepreneurship sets us apart, as only a few design schools in India prioritize these essential skills. A shining example of our success in this area is Paresh Mistry, a 2019 industrial design student whose project secured a ten-lakh seed grant from IIT Hyderabad. Transforming a classroom project into such a significant achievement is no small feat. We also prioritize global exposure. This means more than just faculty and student exchanges; it involves collaborative cross-cultural projects facilitated through online platforms. In the previous semester, our Business Tournament & project exemplified this approach. It brought together our design students from Woxsen University and business students from PUCPR, Brazil for a three-week cross-cultural project. The results of this endeavor received recognition and appreciation from national and international stakeholders.

Our key differentiators include Industry Integration, Innovative Curriculum, World-Class Faculty, State-of-the-Art Facilities, Multidisciplinary Approach, Robust Career Support, Student Engagement in Research and Innovation, and a Vibrant, Inclusive, and Diverse Creative Campus Community.

How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field of arts and design and incorporate them into the curriculum and programs offered by Woxsen?

As an academic, I employ various methods to stay current with the latest trends and developments. I focus on connecting, observing, attending events, travelling, and consistently reading to keep up. Staying informed about future forecasts, emerging technologies, and evolving job roles is equally important to me.

My approach involves fostering collaborations with local, national, and international businesses. I actively engage in research projects that have practical applications in the industry. I also establish advisory boards like the International Advisory Board and Ethics Advisory Board, involving industry experts, entrepreneurs, and social activists in various roles. This enables me to closely monitor the rapidly changing landscape, especially about new AI tools and platforms.

As an academic leader, I maintain an open and approachable demeanor, often gaining insights from my students, participating in industry events, and enhancing my knowledge through podcasts and reading. Additionally, I utilize social media and academic and industry networks to cultivate a robust online presence.

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How well is Woxsen focusing on maintaining industry relationships with companies in order to leverage them for live projects, training, and placements for the students?

Corporate engagement and entrepreneurship are fundamental pillars at Woxsen University, and our industry connections naturally thrive within our institution. In the School of Design, we bring in accomplished industry professionals as Adjunct Professors, Professors of Practice, and Guest Faculty to conduct Masterclasses for our design students. Industry leaders actively participate in our design jury panel, offering frequent assessments of student's design projects. Students gain practical insights through industry mentors, internships, and Capstone Projects enabling them to grasp the real-world workflow. A substantial portion of our classroom projects is based on authentic industry challenges provided by our industry partners. Similar to academic collaborations, we place great importance on industry partnerships, with many of our design projects being the direct result of these collaborations.

Our students also participate in school-level consultancy projects, guided by faculty mentors, which immerses them in actual industry projects. This experience not only familiarizes students with industry workflows but also emphasizes the value of meeting deadlines.

In addition, we maintain industry connections through the Woxsen Executive Fellows program, working closely with Woxsen University’s dedicated placement and corporate liaison team to remain aligned with industry trends and opportunities.

What is something a design and art aspirant can expect from joining the Woxsen Arts and Design School?

Our students are empowered to shape their own career paths. In the School of Arts & Design, we offer a distinctive educational approach featuring small class sizes led by core faculty, industry mentors, and international instructors, both in-person and virtually. This hands-on learning experience consistently yields impressive student projects.

Our curriculum remains dynamic and cutting-edge to adapt to the evolving design landscape, including the influence of AI platforms, AR/VR, and the Metaverse. We have established industry partnerships through MOUs to ensure our students receive the most up-to-date knowledge. The curriculum distinguishes itself by incorporating arts and crafts courses that promote collaboration with artisan communities. Sustainability forms the foundation of our design education, with interdisciplinary approaches spanning technology, business, and the humanities, ensuring our students undergo a comprehensive and well-rounded developmental experience.

What are the biggest challenges currently faced by arts and design colleges, and how do you plan to address them as the dean?

As the dean of an arts and design college, I recognize the importance of addressing critical challenges within our institution and the overall challenges of Design education. The rapid evolution of technology, including AI, AR/VR, and digital design tools, presents a challenge. We must update our curriculum to prepare students for the modern workforce. The art and design industries are constantly evolving, necessitating a diverse skill set in graduates. We align our curriculum with these industry shifts and promote adaptability among students. The pandemic has uniquely impacted the creative industry, creating novel job roles and challenges in keeping up with changing industry dynamics. Innovation is the key to addressing these challenges. We emphasize continually updating our curriculum to incorporate emerging technologies and foster interdisciplinary learning experiences that meet industry demands.

Our robust connections with industry leaders provide insights into industry trends, foster internships, and offer real-world project opportunities for students. We embed sustainability principles and eco-friendly practices into both our curriculum and campus operations. We expand our support services to address students' mental health and career development needs, ensuring their retention.

At Woxsen School of Arts and Design, we’ve cultivated a trustworthy and committed student community that supports one another in navigating the world’s complexities.

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How would you promote experiential learning and practical application of knowledge within the School of Arts and Design?

Design education at our institution revolves around experiential learning, practical application, research, community engagement, and empathy. To enrich the design learning experience, we embrace project-based learning and foster interdisciplinary collaboration, mirroring real-world workplaces. One notable addition is the Design Capstone project, which serves as an alternative to traditional summer internships.

We also encourage students to participate in design competitions to showcase their skills, earn recognition, and build a robust portfolio. Field trips and studio visits are organized to provide students with industry insights and professional interaction, aligning with course objectives. To broaden horizons, we promote cultural exploration through study abroad programs and cultural immersion experiences. Students gain practical insights and cultural diversity awareness. Community engagement is a core principle, as our university is situated within a rural community. Students work closely with this local community, investigating system dynamics and subsystem interactions. Our Social Immersion project in the Foundation year further immerses students in understanding community workings. Beginning from year one, students focus on building digital solid portfolios, with industry professional workshops enhancing their skills. These strategies create an immersive learning environment where theoretical knowledge is seamlessly applied in real-world contexts. This approach prepares our students for successful careers in the creative industries.

What is your answer to the people who believe a strong career can not be made in Arts and design industry, compared to other domains?

Design is pivotal in problem-solving and has far-reaching impacts on people’s lives and organizational performance. Design, fundamentally, revolves around addressing issues, making it indispensable across diverse domains. While coding expertise is essential, engineers must grasp empathy, user needs, and aesthetics to create successful products. Designers are vital in bridging this gap, making them crucial contributors in every field. The design industry offers diverse opportunities across sectors like graphic, fashion, industrial, and interior design. You can align your career with your interests and strengths in this field. Design is foundational in numerous industries, shaping appealing products, user-friendly interfaces, and compelling marketing materials. Creativity and design thinking are prized skills. Design serves as a universal language in our globalized world, offering talented designers worldwide opportunities and contributing to the expanding global design market. Market trends underscore the global growth of the design industry. 

In 2018, the global design service market reached $153.2 billion, growing at a compound annual rate of 11.6% since 2014. It's forecasted to expand to nearly $249.5 billion at a 13% CAGR by 2022. Furthermore, the Global Graphic Design industry has seen steady growth, averaging 0.4% annually from 2016 to 2021. Currently, it ranks as the 72nd largest industry globally and stands at 9th place in the Global Business Activities industry by market size. India’s design industry is brimming with growth prospects. It’s growing at an impressive annual rate of 23- 25%. However, the country currently needs more than 53,000 skilled designers in various areas, including industrial design, graphic design, communication, and packaging design, as it only possesses around 7,000 qualified designers. In particular, UI/UX designers, fashion designers, interior designers, animation designers, and graphic designers are in high demand across a spectrum of industries, including automobiles, information technology, fashion, hospitality, retail, media, education, real estate, and government sectors.