Convergence—divergence paradigm in design education curriculum

Abstract

The Design profession has expanded its scope for intervention in new domains of professional practice in the emergent knowledge economy. There is a generational shift in the aspirations and expectations of design education in India to meet these challenges. This shift may demand a revamping of the undergraduate program in design schools. With the commencement of its design program in 1997, IIT Guwahati is the first amongst IITs’ to offer a 4-year undergraduate program in design. Drawing upon data from its alumni and their career patterns, this paper outlines the changes and revisions periodically made in the design educational curricula to meet the evolving challenges of the profession. It highlights the gradual shift in emphasis towards convergence of disciplines required of the new program. These changes in the undergraduate program will lead to changes in the Masters’ program in Design presently on offer amongst design schools in India. The paper proposes scope for pedagogic research in design education at this time and juncture.