DesignCon 2019, the largest and first of its kind Design Festival was held in Calicut

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE) Kerala and Avani Institute of Design, along with IIID Kerala Regional Chapter and Design Ashram conducted DesignCon 2019, the largest and first of its kind Design Festival. DesignCon 2019 held at Karaparamba Govt. High School, Calicut on September 28th and 29th was a testimonial for a positive impact on society through thoughtful design. The conference was a perfect platform for students and young professionals to engage and communicate with design professionals who have made a positive impact on society through their chosen field of work. As many as 700 delegates including 250 architecture students participated in the event.

The conference was aimed to spread the message of the importance of design in every facet of life. Various sessions lead by leading professionals, designers & thinkers across the country discussed the impact of design in lifestyle, culture, society, politics, public spaces, ecology, and environmental sustainability. The conference inaugurated by artist Shantha and she addressed the valedictory function on the topic “Impact of public spaces in society”.

Historian/Writer Manu S. Pillai, Founder of Alicia Souza studio- Alicia Souza, Collective studio founder– Rekha Rodwittiya, Co-Founder of AKFD & Anantaya- Ayush Kasliwal, Musician & Architect – Shakthisree Gopalan, Creative director of “Make in India” campaign – V. Sunil, Fashion designer & curator, ROUKA – Sreejith Jeevan, principal Architect, Stapati and Chairman of Avani institute of design – Tony Joseph were the key speakers at the event. A session called 6×60 – showcasing works by 6 young architects who made a commendable impact through design and screening of two movies on design is also part of the conference.

Writer Manu S Pillai touched upon the topic of propaganda art which existed even during the times of royalty, the author spoke about Tipu Sultan’s summer palace in Srirangapattanam. He further added that the art and architecture of a period often reflect the changing morality of times. Alessia Souza led a session on environment-friendly designs. Rekha Rodwittiya discussed women in the design sector and their contribution and empowerment. Shakthi Sree Gopalan spoke about the correlation between music and design. There was live streaming of conversation between Pritzker award-winning architect Ar. B.V. Doshi and Ar. Durganand Balsavar on “Design & Society”.

Mentoring Masterclasses based on the theme “Winning Strategies: Leading in a Sustainable and Digital World” curated by TiE Kerala for young entrepreneurs was held on the first day of the event. Radhkrishnan K.G. – Founder, WebNamaste Consulting; Prof. Deepak Dayanidhi – IIM Kozhikode, Roy I. Varghese – Senior Partner, Roy Varghese & Associates; M.P. Sreeram – Partner, Aventus Partners; M.S.A Kumar, President- TiE Kerala headed the five MMC sessions.

A Student’s competition for designing ‘A future house from today’s context’  was held at 10 different government schools to identify the young talents in the design field through the initiative – “Catch them young”. Commendable work was displayed as part of the exhibition and winners were awarded at the valedictory function. FrindSHIP, a workshop on doll making by Artist Radha Gomaty, Me the Change – a workshop organized by H2O NGO were also conducted under Catch them Young initiative for students.
SYNERGIES – Exhibition on The Bihar Museum by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki- curated by OPOLIS architects, URUVAM – Installation & exhibition on social engagement  by Avani Institute of Design, Shibori Artwork installation by artist Alaka & Usman, Aloka – a project in memory of Ms. Irfana Iftikar curated by Avani Students Council, WALL of ART –a live wall painting session for the students of Karaparambu school curated by Artist Riyas Komu, Abid Sheikh was the other major attractions of the event. Oorali Band performed live at the event. 

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