a design gurukul
DJADassemble
DESIGNERS
International Workshop on Design
2025
SPONSORED BY
GKD CHARITY TRUST
EVENT PARTNERS
About DJAD
Member of WDO
Subtitle
In 2004, DJAD (DJ Academy of Deign)
was established to meet a perceived
need in the country. As India grew
economically, the opportunity to provide
DJAD's story began with the vision of
addressing this need, even in a modest
yet impactful way. Mr. Sanjay
Jayavarthanavelu and Mr. PAR Kumar's
design services expanded. But the visit to the National Institute of Design
country lacked skilled designers. This (NID) in Ahmedabad spurred the idea of
was the purpose of DJAD's founding to establishing a design institute under the
address this need in a small but GKD Charity Trust. It ignited a desire to
meaningful way. cultivate a similar environment for
fostering design learning and
collaboration.
DJAD - A Design Gurukul
Infrastructure
Subtitle
DJAD is spread across 24 acres of lush
greenery, offering an eco-friendly and
serene environment. The campus is
thoughtfully designed to harmonize with
The academy provides a breathtaking
view of the majestic Western Ghats,
enhancing its tranquil charm. This
picturesque backdrop inspires students,
Architecturally stunning buildings house
state-of-the-art facilities, including well-
equipped classrooms, design studios,
workshops, and libraries. The campus
nature, promoting sustainable learning offering a retreat from urban offers a calm and resourceful setting
while providing a peaceful atmosphere distractions and creating an that nurtures concentration,
that fosters creativity, academic environment conducive to focused collaboration, and innovation. Every
excellence, and personal growth. Its academic pursuits, artistic exploration, space is designed to encourage creative
refreshing natural surroundings make it and personal reflection. The changing exploration, independent thinking, and
an ideal space for students to thrive hues of the mountains, from misty intellectual excellence, ensuring
intellectually and artistically. mornings to golden sunsets, enrich the students receive a holistic and enriching
overall experience of learning and educational experience in a well-
creativity. structured academic environment.
DJAD - A Design Gurukul
DJADassemble
DESIGNERS The expertise of the invited international delegates
covers the entire gamut of Design such as prototype
building, User experience and Product experience
2025
International Workshop on Design design for the future, Communication design, Creation
of visual identity. This expertise coupled with the local
design sensibilities that DJAD brings in, the workshop
shall aim to meet its goals of synthesizing a new
We humans have been making and shaping the space thought for future design practices.
around us. Thus, making influenced our space and our
space influenced our making. The result of which is a
built world that we all conduct our daily life in We at DJAD believe that the Industry-Academia connect
Coimbatore, an industrial city in Tamil Nadu has a deep will greatly further the cause of effecting the outcomes
legacy of ingenuity in innovation and manufacturing. of the workshop in industrial practices. This will help us
India's first wet grinder, calls Coimbatore its birthplace. in improving academic efforts in knowledge delivery
Coimbatore also produces pumps, textile machinery, and nurturing across all faculties. Above all, it will
textiles, jewellery, high precision tools for various enable us to create individuals who go on to become
applications like space, medicine etc. All these efforts design thinkers who can shape and influence our
have made Coimbatore to be rightfully called as society.
Manchester of South India. To provide intellectual
resources for these needs Coimbatore also houses
many Technological institutions of repute, Medical
colleges, one of India's oldest Agricultural and Forest
science colleges. DJ Academy, being the oldest design
school in South India, completes the intellectual matrix
by creating Design professionals.
The rapid rate of making and shaping the world around
us has spawned grave challenges to life itself. This
calls for a collective effort. The contemporary
approaches and considerations in making and shaping
things around us must be rethought and revitalised. The
maker’s space, where the thoughts are born and
concretized as products, being the cog in this whole
process is an apt place to start this exercise. We need
to address regional or local challenges with a global
consideration and relevance.
To pursue this endeavour, an International Design Workshop | Networking | Creativity | Prototyping
Workshop is being arranged by DJAD. In this workshop,
DJAD aims to gather, Academia, International Design
Hands On | Demonstrations | Knowledge Sharing
Practitioners and Academicians, Industry leaders and Global Perspectives | Future Trends | Innovation
Teachers and students of the community discussing
Ideation | Collaboration | Skill Development
and doing “making and shaping”.
WHY DJAD DESIGNERS
ASSEMBLE 2025?
Global Expertise Get introduced to
Discuss with eminent international Master contemporary approaches
design practitioners addressing global that reshape the way we design the
and regional challenges. world.
Think, Make, Transform Future-Forward Design
Rethink, readdress, and revitalize the Envision meaningful user and product
things around you in the state-of-the- experiences, reimagined for
art maker’s space. tomorrow.
International Design Experts
Dipl. Designer (MFA) |
Designer | Educator | Mentor
Magnus Faeil
Magnus Feil, Dipl. Designer (MFA), is a designer, Why Magnus ?
educator, and mentor specializing in industrial design
and sustainability. As a Senior Lecturer in Eco- Global Expertise: Over 20 years of international
Innovative Design at FH Joanneum, Austria, he focuses experience in product, interaction, & sustainable design.
on circular economies and sustainable innovation. He Educational Leadership: Renowned educator shaping the
has taught at Arizona State University & the University next generation of designers through courses, mentorship,
of Washington and worked with companies like Johnson and groundbreaking research.
Controls and Siemens. Magnus also contributes to Sustainability Pioneer: Advocate for circular economies
international workshops and serves on the board of the and design for social good, focusing on solutions that
Center for Alternative Building Studies. balance function, form, and responsibility.
Artist | Typography | Spatial
Forms | Publishing Graphics
Ola Kot
Ola Kot is an artist specializing in typography, What Sets Aleksandra Apart?
publishing graphics, and spatial forms. She explores the
relationship between typography, architecture, and Design Excellence: Award-winning designer recognized
space, focusing on its narrative and movement. Her for her projects, including the Polish Graphic Design
work treats the written word as a catalyst for Award-winning installation "Let's Keep Them in Memory."
performative activities. She develops interactive Thought Leadership: Frequent speaker and workshop
typographic installations, including the neon identity for leader at global design conferences.
Iluzjon Cinema and Keep Them In Our Memory at the Educational Impact: A dedicated mentor leading the
Warsaw Uprising Museum, blending typography, space, Typography Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw,
and storytelling in innovative ways. shaping the future of graphic design.
International Design Experts
Founder | Creative Lead -
Hemtools
Mark Bond
Mark Bond, Founder & Creative Lead at hemtools in Why Mark Bond ?
Malmö, Sweden, has over 30 years of global experience
in product design, development, and innovation. He has Proven Track Record: Over 25 years of expertise leading
led at IKEA, Tesco, and Country Road Group, high-impact projects for brands like IKEA, Marks &
specializing in functional, sustainable, and high-quality Spencer, and Conran & Partners.
solutions. An educator, author, and speaker, he Innovative Thinking: Expertise in driving business growth
combines creativity with strategic business insight, through visionary product development and market-
driving impactful results across B2C & B2B markets. His aligned design strategies.
expertise spans furniture, lighting, home accessories, Sustainability First: Dedicated to creating planet-friendly
trend forecasting, and sustainability initiatives. solutions that harmonize aesthetics, functionality & value.
Graphic Designer
Samuel Roux
Samuel Roux is a graphic designer based in Orléans, Why Samuel Roux?
France. Born in 1963, he studied graphic design in the
early '80s, a highly creative pre-digital era. Since Cultural Expertise: Designs visual identities and posters
graduating in 1986, he has worked freelance, for cultural and social institutions, including jazz
specializing in poster design and visual identity for festivals, orchestras, and human rights initiatives.
cultural and social projects, including jazz festivals, Purpose-Driven Design: Creates captivating visuals that
theater programs, and human rights events. Since 2000, communicate powerful, ethical messages.
he has also taught at Orléans School of Art and Design, Educational Leadership: 20-year design education veteran
emphasizing creativity, meaning, and ethics in visual at Orleans School of Art and Design, mentoring emerging
communication. designers.
Designers Assemble - Agenda
Industry, College & School DJ Academy of Design 17 Feb 2025 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
SESSION 1 TYPOGRAPHY AND FOCUS
ITS DIMENSIONS
Embodiment of intent & cultural artefacts in
Type design.
Typography and space design.
SESSION 2 DESIGN TALK - FOCUS
VISUAL DESIGN
Explore how typography embodies cultural
values and designer intent.
Showcasing examples of impactful typography,
analyzing form and cultural influence.
PANEL DISCUSSION COMMUNICATION AND FOCUS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Analyzing how visual com principles are applied
in architectural and public spaces.
Discussing how graphic design & visual com
guide users to shape their experiences.
Lunch
SESSION 3 DESIGNING FOR IMPACT, FOCUS
UNLOCKING MEANINGFUL
How design thinking and innovative approaches
INNOVATION,
can contribute to a sustainable future.
TRANSFORMATION &
Exploring how designing can unlock meaningful
SUSTAINABILITY
innovations.
Designers Assemble - Agenda Entry Free
Industry, College & School DJ Academy of Design 17 Feb 2025 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION INDUSTRIAL DESIGN FOCUS
Exploring how material choices and designing
processes can be optimized.
Discussing how new technologies, user-centered
approaches and creative designing can lead to
innovation.
Tea Break
END OF DAY 1 HIGH TEA AND FOCUS
NETWORKING
Providing a relaxed and informal setting for
participants to network with fellow designers.
Encouraging informal discussion and reflection
on the workshop's themes.
Designers Assemble - Agenda Entry Free
DJ Academy of Design College & School Students 18 Feb 2025 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
SESSION 1 INTRODUCTION TO FOCUS
DESIGN
Talk on Design Careers.
SESSION 2 TALK ON SUSTAINABILITY &
HOLISTIC LIVING
Lunch
SESSION 3 DESIGN PROCESS WORKSHOP
SESSION 4 THEATER WORKSHOP
SESSION 5 STORYTELLING ART AND
DESIGN WORKSHOP
19 TO 22 FEB 2025 EXHIBITION FOR OPEN HOUSE
DJADassemble
DESIGNERS
2025
International Workshop on Design
Register here
DJAD - A Design Gurukul
DJ ACADEMY OF DESIGN
Coimbatore-Pollachi Road, Othakkalmandapam,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu - 641 032, Inda
Mob: +91-98430 73307
Email: office@djad.in
Website: www.djad.in
DJAD - A Design Gurukul
