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3 month duration, 2023 
Client: National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Mentors: Sucharita Beniwal, Shemal Pandya
Roles: Team Lead, Curation, Writing and editing for Exhibition Text and Publication, Space planning and design, Designing elements in the space, Lighting 
The Annual Design Show serves as a dynamic space for exploring and narrating the creative endeavors undertaken at NID Ahmedabad and its extension campuses in Gandhinagar and Bengaluru throughout the academic year. It presents work undertaken by students and faculty in graduation projects, workshops, studio courses, electives, and international exchanges. The exhibition seeks to highlight transformational processes and moments where learners engage in the process of framing and reframing questions that drive their creative work and projects.
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CURATORIAL NOTE

 

The design landscape has long been defined by its boundaries and preconceived notions. “LINES” serves as a rebellious act against the homogenizing forces that seek to imprison the diversity inherent in the design spectrum. In our attempt, we explore the projection of lines as it moves, aligns, attaches, extends, and ultimately clashes. These lines, representative of the myriad ideals and methodologies, refuse to conform to a singular association. Instead, we acknowledge the complexity and diversity of the individuals who shape the world.

 

The designers approach their work with a profound awareness of their individual histories and narratives, wielding the chalk of influence that shapes the very lines we see. This show is a conscious effort to move beyond mere questioning and speculation; it is a call to action. A collective effort to deconstruct established institutions and, in doing so, laying the foundation for their reconstruction.

 

This show stands as a transition from an 'us and them' mindset to an 'us and we' perspective. In embracing users as integral stakeholders, we break down the barriers that have traditionally separated designers and their audiences. It is an act of vulnerability, as ‘insiders’ open themselves to the scrutiny of ‘outsiders’, and an invitation to critique, question, and demand a reset. We urge you to join us in re-evaluating, reacting, and ultimately contributing to the ongoing process of resetting and rebuilding the design landscape, creating a space for dialogue, collaboration, and shared innovation. 

PROCESS
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The process involved first coming together as a team and discussing our motivations for the show and coming onto the same page.  The team shared a commitment to presenting design to the audience and enabling them to perceive themselves as integral stakeholders in the diverse world of design, encompassing a multitude of voices and avenues.We wanted the show to bring out the raw and annotative nature of design through the exhibition space and the publications. 

 

It was then time to gather entries; Google forms were sent out to students from all 3 campuses and the team reached out to the faculty and students. The entries started flowing in and

a total of 249 projects come in. These were then categorised into 5 groups i.e. DEMAND, DEPICT, DEPLOY, DEVIATE & DEFEND. There were 5 students in the curation team and each of the 5 were tasked with going through roughly 50 projects each. Representational projects were also selected from each category so that a part of the exhibit could be taken to other Design Shows.

 

Once, the projects were assigned categories, each of the categories were further sorted into cluster questions that suggested the overarching theme or nature of the projects and would translate into the publication as well as the space to help understand the projects with more ease while going through them.  

 

The treatment of the space tried to emulate the identity through choice of colour and materials. The first step in the process was assigning spaces to each category.The choice of space for each category was based on the nature of projects and the requirements for the same.Once the spaces were assigned, an outline of the space flow was created with respect to the project clusters. The space and  visualisation team discussed the materials and size of the panels that would be put up.  Due to ease in printing, 3mm sunboard were selected and rivets would be punched on four corners to install in the space with SS hooks. Track-lights were installed (1 meter tracks with 3 lights, 1 white 2 yellow of 12 watts) to help with the look and feel of the space.

 

In order to save time and effort we looked at display panels that had been used for previous convocations and slightly modified them. The main identity in space were the red frames that were created using metal meshes and steel angles. Given the 8ft *8ft dimensions and design of the frame, there was no requirement to cut, buff and weld the frame and allowed us to use the materials again if need be and also quickened the process. The podiums were made of 25mm square pipes that were welded in 500*700*1000mm dimensions as it could be used in different orientations in the space based on the nature of project. Each of the categories were assigned a colour that was applied on the A panels and podiums in the space and a poster depicted the category on the mesh frames. 

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