JD School of Design, Bangalore held the much-awaited Design Futures Summit at the Koramangala Club Auditorium. The summit was nothing short of an awe-inspiring convergence, for it brought together some of the world’s best designers. A sheer “power confluence,” as the event aptly was known, the summit saw three fabulous speakers offering new insights on fashion, interior design, and human-centred design.
The summit started with a motivational address from Prof. Aditya Jayadas, Oklahoma State University Associate Professor. Prof. Jayadas, being an expert in human factors, ergonomics, and biophilic design, took us through the thin line between human needs and design. He showed us how designs of the built environment and products have to ensure practicability and functionality but also enhance human-environment interaction. Prof. Jayadas emphasized the need to design spaces that actually address the needs of individuals and enhance not just their level of comfort but also their overall quality of life.
Next, the spotlight shifted to the world of fashion with Mr. Sounak Sen Barat, Founder and Creative Director of House of Three. With two decades of experience as a part of the Indian fashion industry, Mr Sounak wove a very personal and close-to-heart tale that combines creativity with cultural awareness. His work beautifully combines traditional Indian design and contemporary trends, capturing the dynamic spirit of Indian fashion. With his own sartorial vision, he could demonstrate how design could transcend transitory fancies to represent identity and culture. For Mr Sounak, fashion is not just about clothes; it’s a matter of expressing ourselves, and he demonstrated how the collaboration between tradition and innovation is responsible for creating lasting meaningful designs.
The event also featured Ms Prithvi R. N., Associate Director at Livspace, with a new perspective on interior design and the business aspect of the profession. With more than 50 houses designed throughout her career, her inputs were priceless, emphasizing how innovation could be both creative and business-driven success. She spoke about the evolving role of interior design in creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally enriching and functional. Ms Prithvi’s experience in integrating design thinking with strategic growth was inspiring, as she shared her journey from entrepreneurship to leading major design projects at Livspace. Her talk resonated with the audience, especially those who aspire to make an impact in the world of interior design.
The partnership between JD School of Design powered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology and Oklahoma State University was a cross-pollination of ideas where students came together to shed light on how they are leading the way in building a future for design. As the event came to a close, attendees left with a newfound sense of inspiration and a greater appreciation for the potential of design. The summit was about understanding the capability of conscious and planned design: not merely can it make things beautiful, but it can fix things, enrich lives, and create a lasting legacy. From fashion to interior design to product, the speakers reminded us that design is about transformation. We can take problems and turn them into possibilities, and the world we create by design can be as beautiful as it is functional.
The Design Futures Summit was a reflection of the power of design to create the future. It served as a reminder that design isn’t about appearing good—it’s about creating things that matter. And through real effort, design can be used to create a better world.
