Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0: Where Creativity and Collaboration Shape the Future
Newz Daddy Design Updates
Synopsis of the Article
- Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0 celebrates creativity, collaboration, and multidisciplinary design, focusing on merging cultures, technologies, and ideas for sustainable solutions.
- The event kicked off on February 14, 2025, at Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, and Hutheesing Visual Arts Center, Ahmedabad, showcasing student work, including typefaces, clay installations, AR/VR projects, and immersive exhibits.
- The Craft Mela featured over 20 artisans from across India, celebrating traditional Indian craftsmanship.
- The lamp-lighting ceremony and exhibition inauguration were attended by key figures like:
- Ken Nah (renowned designer from Korea)
- Umang Hutheesing (President, Hutheesing Design Company)
- Ritesh Hada (President, Karnavati University)
- Col. Surojit Bose (Head, Unitedworld Institute of Design)
- Niraj Shah (Co-founding Partner & Design Director, IDO Design Solutions)
- The Dome-Ain of Dreams, a 3D projection mapping exhibit, was a major highlight, curated by Knownsense Studios and students of UID.
- UID also hosted the World Design Organisation’s (WDO) Board Members for their historic board meeting.
- Several key sessions and workshops took place:
- Uday Dandavate & Dr. Rohini Dandavate: Merging dance, poetry, and video art into design.
- Ajay Saran Sharma (Mahindra): Compared modern car design to cell phones, inspired by big cats.
- Gajesh Mitkari (Studio Modak): Spoke on iteration, adaptation, and unlearning in design.
- Kadambari Mishra (Adira Thoughtful Gifting): Discussed storytelling, AI-driven mythology, and brand transformation.
- Dhishti Desai (Pineapple Design Studio): Talked about UX writing, product strategy, and India’s design mindset.
- Nidhi Sah & Binoli Patel: Conducted workshops on publication and print design.
- Studio Walks took participants beyond classrooms to:
- IDO Design Studio: Insights into multidisciplinary interior design.
- Clay Club Studio: Showcased handcrafted ceramics in modern architecture.
- Studio Carbon: Introduced advanced 3D modeling software (Plasticity).
- Jhankhi – Holy Glimpses exhibited Nathdwara Pichwai paintings, curated by Priya Adhyaru Mehta, featuring artists like Monal Shah, Vaidehi Shah, Amit Shah, and others.
- The panel discussion “Design: Where is the Heart?” explored the emotional and intellectual depth of the design process with speakers from various creative fields.
- Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0 proved to be a hub for groundbreaking conversations, cultural exchanges, and design innovations, inspiring future designers to merge tradition with modern creativity.
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Ahmedabad Design Week (ADW) has returned for its sixth edition, bringing together the best of design, innovation, and craftsmanship. This year’s theme, “Shared Signatures,” emphasizes the power of collaboration in design, where creative minds across disciplines merge their ideas to shape a sustainable future.
The event, held across Karnavati University in Gandhinagar and the Hutheesing Visual Arts Center in Ahmedabad, officially began on February 14, 2025. It featured student projects, immersive exhibitions, and interactive sessions with some of the biggest names in the design industry.
The opening ceremony was a star-studded affair, featuring some of the most respected names in the field:
- Ken Nah – A renowned Korean designer.
- Umang Hutheesing – President of Hutheesing Design Company.
- Ritesh Hada – President of Karnavati University.
- Col. Surojit Bose – Head of the Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID).
- Niraj Shah – Co-founding Partner of IDO Design Solutions.
Their presence added prestige to the event, emphasizing the importance of design thinking and innovation in today’s fast-changing world.
ADW 6.0 is not just about speeches—it’s an interactive experience. From typography and clay installations to AR/VR exhibits and immersive digital art, students displayed their learning through unique and inspiring projects.
A highlight was the Dome-Ain of Dreams, a 3D projection mapping exhibit that took visitors on a breathtaking visual journey through Ahmedabad’s rich design heritage. Curated by Knownsense Studios and students from UID, this exhibit blurred the lines between technology, art, and imagination.
Additionally, the Craft Mela brought together over 20 artisans from across India, showcasing the country’s rich heritage in handmade crafts. Visitors experienced the magic of traditional storytelling through art, witnessing first-hand how cultural techniques have evolved with modern times.
Throughout the day, leading designers and industry experts shared their knowledge in thought-provoking sessions:
- Uday Dandavate & Dr. Rohini Dandavate: Showed how dance, poetry, and video art can merge to create boundary-breaking designs.
- Ajay Saran Sharma (Mahindra Design): Explained how modern car designs are inspired by the agility and power of big cats.
- Gajesh Mitkari (Studio Modak): Emphasized the importance of adaptation, iteration, and unlearning in staying relevant.
- Kadambari Mishra (Adira Thoughtful Gifting): Spoke about AI-driven mythology, brand storytelling, and her Iconic Women Podcast.
- Dhishti Desai (Pineapple Design Studio): Shared insights on India’s non-minimalist design culture and its future.
- Nidhi Sah & Binoli Patel: Conducted hands-on workshops on typography, print design, and creative storytelling.
Participants got a rare opportunity to visit and learn from real-world design studios, including:
- IDO Design Studio: An immersive experience in interior design.
- Clay Club Studio: A deep dive into ceramic-making and its role in architecture.
- Studio Carbon: Hands-on training with advanced 3D modeling software (Plasticity).
One of the most captivating exhibits was Jhankhi – Holy Glimpses, curated by Priya Adhyaru Mehta. It showcased Nathdwara Pichwai paintings, a sacred Indian art form, featuring prominent artists like Monal Shah, Vaidehi Shah, and Amit Shah.
A powerful panel discussion explored the emotional and intellectual depth of design. Moderated by Niraj Shah, the panelists included:
- Moksh Thapar (Designer & Artist)
- Ira Gosalia (Architectural Photographer)
- Jwalant Mahadevwala (Principal Designer at Andblack Design Studio)
- Ishita Sitwala (The Fishy Project)
- Vyom (Sculptor & Artist)
This engaging discussion addressed how designers connect emotionally with their work, whether through storytelling, execution, or impact.
Ahmedabad Design Week 6.0 successfully bridged traditional wisdom with modern innovation, fostering collaboration, creativity, and groundbreaking conversations. As the event continues, it promises to shape the future of design by bringing together thinkers, makers, and visionaries under one roof.