BOARD OF STUDIES
Prof. S. Balaram
Experience as a Designer, Educator, and Author
Prof. S. Balaram has 54 years of experience as a designer, educator, and author. He was a key figure in establishing the National Institute of Design’s new curriculum and was Chairman of Education there. He also founded Design Cells in major Indian cities to support small and medium-scale industries.
He served as the Founder Dean of D.J. Academy of Design in Coimbatore from 2005-2018. An innovator with 4 patents, he has authored 7 books and won numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Award for Universal Design Education from IAUD, Japan, and the Helen Keller Award for Design for the Differently Abled.
Vincenzo Iavicoli
Designer & Professor
Vincenzo Iavicoli is a distinguished designer and professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he chaired the Product Design Department for thirteen years. Currently, he focuses on advancing design education internationally.
In his prominent academic background, he has taught at esteemed institutions, including Tsukuba University, Tama Art University, ISIA, Polimoda, and Art Center College of Design. At ACCD, he also held the role of Corporate Liaison Director, overseeing industry-sponsored studio classes. He was honored with the IDSA Educational Award, and continues to conducts workshops worldwide.
Vincenzo holds an MS in Industrial Design from Art Center College of Design and a BFA in Industrial Design from ISIA, Firenze, Italy. His 1984 creation, “The Walking Office,” a Wearable Computer, is included in the Henry Ford Museum’s Design Collection.
Ömer Durmaz
Communications Design, Branding, Academia,& Cultural Curation
Ömer Durmaz is a versatile professional known for his expertise in communications design, branding, academia and cultural curation. His career began as a graphic designer and creative director in Turkey’s advertising and design sector from 1993 to 2002. Since 2002, he has been an academic at Dokuz Eylül University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in İzmir, specializing in visual communication culture, graphic design history, and archival expertise.
Durmaz is also the founding manager of the Dokuz Eylül University Museum of Vexillology and Turkish Flags, the nation’s first vexillology museum. With over two decades of experience in design, brand management, museum and exhibition design, informatics, and signage design, he leads his own design studio.
He graduated from Dokuz Eylül University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in 1999 and completed his Master’s degree in 2009. His academic journey started in 2002 at Dokuz Eylül University in İzmir.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Durmaz served as editor-in-chief of Grafik Tasarım (Graphic Design), a prominent Turkish magazine from 2006 to 2009. He authored “İstanbul’un 100 Grafik Tasarımcısı ve İllüstratörü” (100 Graphic Designers and Illustrators from Istanbul’s History) in 2010, coinciding with Istanbul’s status as the European Capital of Culture.
Durmaz’s dedication to the design community led to his involvement in various associations and initiatives. In 2010, he co-founded the Tasa Platform, known for its acclaimed annual “design walk” events in Turkey. That same year, he became a founding member of the Turkish Typography association. In 2015, his Master’s thesis, “Colour Decisions and Associative Learning in Packaging Design for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods,” was published, solidifying his position as a thought leader in design and academia.
Neeta Verma
Visual Communication Designer
Neeta Verma is situated within the dynamic discipline of Visual Communication Design, where her passion lies in both research and teaching. Her work delves into the transformative potential of design as a tool for fostering social equity and justice. Her primary focus centers on dissecting systemic social issues through the prism of power and privilege. Neeta firmly believes that designers bear a profound responsibility to shape a practice that transcends mere “need” and embraces the more crucial aspect of “relevance.”
Currently, Neeta is deeply engaged in two compelling research projects. The first explores the complex issue of youth violence within urban contexts in South Bend, seeking innovative solutions to address this pressing concern. Her second project centers on designing environments that are conducive to the visually impaired community in India, aiming to enhance their quality of life through thoughtful design interventions.
In her role as an educator, Neeta Verma imparts knowledge and insight in two distinct domains. She teaches Social Design, a course that seamlessly blends social innovation with collaborative practices, fostering a deeper understanding of how design can drive positive societal change. Additionally, she instructs Visualization of Data, a course that delves into the aesthetics, ethics, and politics underpinning data representation.
Neeta Verma boasts a strong academic background, having earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Yale University and a Master of Design (MDes) from the esteemed National Institute of Design in India. Currently, she holds Faculty Fellowships at two prestigious institutions: the Center for Social Concerns and the Li Institute for Asia & Asian Studies.
Neeta Verma’s dedication to the transformative power of design and her commitment to addressing pressing social issues through her work make her a valuable contributor to the world of Visual Communication Design and a source of inspiration for her students and peers alike.
Rainy Khurana Sarna
Textile & Handicrafts Designer
Rainy Khurana Sarna is a highly experienced textile design consultant, boasting 23+ years of expertise in designing, researching, and developing home textiles for both domestic and international markets. She holds a post-graduate diploma in textile design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, earned in 1998, and a bachelor’s degree in Home Science with a focus on textiles from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University.
With a deep passion for heritage crafts, Rainy has worked independently with diverse organizations, including export houses, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and textile-focused workshop platforms. Her contributions include guiding students, young learners, and enthusiasts in hands-on workshops aimed at promoting traditional crafting skills.
Rainy’s international representation of her clients at prestigious events such as Maison d’Objet, Heimtextil, and Domotex highlights her remarkable industry presence. She is also sought after as an external judge for textiles and interiors-related competitions. In addition to her textile work, Rainy actively explores other artistic pursuits, with a particular focus on upcycling. Her textile art creations have gained recognition and been featured in theme-based competitions and craftivism events on both national and international stages.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Textile Design, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (1994-1998)
B.Sc (Hons) Home Science (Textiles), Lady Irwin College, Delhi University (1991-1994)
Mookesh Patel
Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, Tempe, USA,& a former Dean at the Indian School of Design and Innovation — ISDI, Mumbai
Mookesh Patel is a Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, Tempe USA, and a former Dean at the Indian School of Design and Innovation — ISDI, Mumbai, India. He is also the principal at Chanchal, a US-based design consultancy firm, and serves on the Academic Advisory Board of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai.
With an MFA in graphic design from the Rhode Island School of Design, Patel also holds a B.Des. in visual communication from the National Institute of Design and a BS from Ahmedabad Science College, Gujarat University, India.
As a former partner at Infodesign Management Inc., Scottsdale, USA, and the principal director at Chanchal, Scottsdale, Patel specializes in information and experience design. His past clients include notable organizations such as Arizona State Land Development, Phoenix Art Museum, Metropolitan Boston Transit Authority, and the Government of India for a significant traveling exhibition, “My Land, My People.”
Patel has received prestigious grants and awards, including a Fulbright Research Scholar Grant, United Nations Development Program Grant, and others.
His research areas encompass design education, online learning, information design, semiotics, visual interpretation, data visualization, exhibition/experience design, and typography.
Anand M. Kulkarni
Founder of Sankul Design Studio
Anand is a distinguished post-graduate in Design from Coventry University/MSRSAS. In 2018, he founded Sankul Design Studio, underpinned by his vast experience spanning over two and a half decades in design, engineering, development, materials, tooling, and manufacturing.
He has a rich history of association with global automotive giants, having been employed at notable companies such as Tata Motors, Visteon, Toyota, and TVS Sundaram. His portfolio prominently features design and development work for passenger cars, buses, trucks, two-wheelers, medical equipment, and consumer electronics.
Anand has been instrumental in the design, engineering, and development of iconic vehicles such as the Tata Altroz, Tata Nano, Tata Hexa, Renault Duster, Mahindra Scorpio, and Peugeot 3008. Additionally, he has played a key role in crafting commercial vehicles like the JCBL Destiny Bus, various electric buses and trucks, forklifts, and an innovative range of electric bikes and scooters for emerging startups.
With extensive travels and collaborations, Anand’s expertise isn’t just regional but global, having worked with renowned companies across Asia, Europe, and North America. His leadership prowess shines through as he has successfully steered teams from initial market research all the way to triumphant product launches.
