From Problem-Solving to Finding the Meaning: Communication Turn in Indian Design Education

The paper sheds light on the historical development of Communication Design and its evolution in the Design Education landscape in India. This paper reviews the emergence and growth of Communication Design, particularly at NID Ahmedabad and IDC IIT Bombay. This study’s central research question is: How did Communication Design evolve within Indian Design Education during the first three decades, and what factors influenced its development? The paper aims to explore the historical context, institutional influences, and shifts in design paradigms that contributed to the evolution of Communication Design. This paper employs a Design History approach, drawing insights from archival records, academic publications, and interviews with key stakeholders. It focuses on pivotal moments, such as visits by luminaries, consultancy work, international exhibition projects, social communication design initiatives, and the initiation and components of Communication Design programmes. The paper unveils distinct but intertwined paths taken by Industrial and Communication Design at the institutions and elaborates on the influence of international agencies, visionary academic articulations, and significant conferences such as ‘Product Symbology’ and ‘Arthaya’ that enriched the discourse. This paper offers valuable insights for academia, practitioners, and policy-makers, shedding light on the historical context underpinning the country’s contemporary design landscape. Furthermore, the study encourages a nuanced understanding of the interdisciplinary dynamics between Industrial and Communication Design, emphasising their mutual influence and contribution to the broader field of Design Education.