Designcon 2019

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE) Kerala and Avani Institute of Design, along with IIID Kerala Regional Chapter and Design Ashram conducted DesignCon 2019, the largest and first of its kind Design Festival, which was held at Karaparamba Govt. High School, Calicut on September 28th and 29th.

The conference offered a perfect platform for students and young professionals to engage and communicate with design professionals who have made a positive impact on society through their chosen field of work. As many as 700 delegates including 250 architecture students participated in the event. Various sessions led by leading professionals, designers and thinkers from across the country discussed the impact of design in lifestyle, culture, society, politics, public spaces, ecology, and environmental sustainability. The conference was inaugurated by artist Shantha who also addressed the valedictory function on the topic "Impact of public spaces in society".

Historian/Writer Manu S. Pillai, Founder of Alicia Souza studio Alicia Souza, Collective studio founder Rekha Rodwittiya, Co-Founder of AKFD & Anantaya - Ayush Kasliwal, Musician & Architect Shakthisree Gopalan, Creative director of "Make in India" campaign – V. Sunil, Fashion designer & curator, ROUKA – Sreejith Jeevan, Principal Architect Stapati and Chairman of Avani Institute of Design - Tony Joseph were the key speakers at the event. A session called 6x60 - showcased works of six architects and two movies on design were also part of the conference.

Designcon 2019

Manu S Pillai touched upon the topic of propaganda art and spoke about Tipu Sultan's summer palace in Srirangapattanam and added that the art and architecture of a period often reflect the changing morality of times. Alessia Souza led a session on environment friendly designs. Rekha Rodwittiya discussed women in the design sector and their contribution and empowerment. Shakthi Sree Gopalan spoke about the correlation between music and design. There was a live streaming of conversation between Pritzker award-winning architect Ar. B.V. Doshi and Ar. Durganand Balsavar on "Design & Society".

Mentoring Masterclasses based on the theme "Winning Strategies: Leading in a Sustainable and Digital World" curated by TiE Kerala was held on the first day. Radhkrishnan K.G. - Founder, WebNamaste Consulting; Prof. Deepak Dayanidhi – IIM Kozhikode, Roy I. Varghese – Senior Partner, Roy Varghese & Associates; M.P. Sreeram – Partner, Aventus Partners; M.S.A Kumar, President- TiE Kerala headed the five MMC sessions.

Designcon 2019

A competition for students on 'A future house from today's context' was held at 10 different government schools to identify young talents in design and winners were awarded. FrindSHIP, a workshop on doll making by Artist Radha Gomaty; and Me the Change - a workshop organized by H2O NGO were also conducted under the Catch them Young initiative for students.

SYNERGIES – an exhibition on The Bihar Museum by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki - curated by OPOLIS architects, URUVAM – Installation & exhibition on social engagement by Avani Institute of Design, Shibori Artwork installation by artist Alaka & Usman, Aloka – a project in memory of Irfana Iftikar curated by Avani Students Council, WALL of ART –a live wall paining session for the students of Karaparambu school curated by Artist Riyas Komu, Abid Sheikh were the other major attractions. The Oorali Band performed live at the event.