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Written by: JK Monitor News Network

Published: 23 January 2024

BANGALORE: India's economic surge and its pronounced focus on sustainability have opened new career vistas. Amid rapid technological advancements, digitalization, and competition, businesses leverage forward-thinking designs blended with creativity, aesthetics, and user-centricity to create innovative solutions and gain a competitive edge.

This has led to a growing demand for designers, making it imperative to equip students with skills that are not just future-ready but also emphasize the importance of sustainability to shape their careers for tomorrow. Taking a lead in this direction, Strate School of Design is preparing future designers for promising careers with industry-ready curriculum and practical projects, further enabling them to understand actual problems and constraints faced while designing a product (physical or digital) and their real-time implications.

"To prepare students to be ready for the evolving design needs of the industry, it is essential not only to focus on theoretical teaching but also to emphasize practical learning. This is our core emphasis at Strate. Additionally, we instill in our students that the most important trait of a designer is to be responsible towards the planet, and the design has to be by a vision to make the world beautiful, simple, and just," said Mr Thomas Dal, Dean- Strate.

In its commitment to preparing students for the ever-evolving landscape of design, Strate keeps them abreast of technological advancements and emerging trends by maintaining constant engagement with industry experts. A key strength of Strate lies in its curriculum, meticulously crafted with the invaluable input of industry experts. Notably, 20% of its teaching faculty comprises current industry experts who conduct masterclasses and workshops on campus. Collaborations with industry leaders like TATA MOTORS, BOSCH, Ultraviolette Automotive, and others further enrich the learning experience.

"Our curriculum is not just aligned but intricately intertwined with industry needs and requirements. In the third year, students embark on a six-month internship, presenting their findings and research to panels of young designers and industry experts. This collaborative approach ensures that students are awarded a certificate of completion based on their demonstrated understanding of real-world design challenges," Mr Thomas Dal, elaborated.

Moreover, the leading institution weaves sustainability into every aspect of learning to teach students the impact of design on the environment, enabling them to build a sustainable tomorrow. "Our curriculum commences with a foundational year shared by all students, regardless of their chosen stream. Environmental Studies, a core subject, is intricately woven into the curriculum, acknowledging that every design, be it in Product Design or Transportation Design, exerts an impact on the environment and has the potential to contribute significantly to societal upliftment through sustainability," Mr Thomas Dal, further added.

To engrain sustainability in students' design thinking, Strate actively encourages participation in live projects. The institution firmly believes that for design to endure and remain relevant, it must inherently embody sustainability. As Strate continues to foster a community of designers cognizant of their impact on the world, it stands as a beacon for holistic, sustainable design education.