Whistling Woods International’s Design Conclave 2.0: A Platform for Creative Sparks and Innovative Ideas
Mumbai, April 22, 2024: Whistling Woods International (WWI) School of Creative Arts (SCA) proudly hosted Design Conclave 2024, a two-day celebration of creativity and innovation, inviting participants from diverse backgrounds to explore the dynamic world of design.
The event was organised by the departments of Animation & Game Design, Fashion & Costume Design, and Visual Communication Design, aimed to inspire and empower the next generation of design enthusiasts. Over the course of two days, attendees were treated to a rich array of experiences, including enlightening industry panel discussions, interactive workshops, and captivating showcases of student talent.
Panel discussions, one of the major highlights of the Design Conclave 2024, tackled pertinent themes in the design industry. Day 1 focused on ‘Professional Education in Design: Quality, Excellence and You’ featuring insights from industry experts such as Ms. Minal Jadia (Section Head – Design Services, Pidilite Design Studio, Pidilite Industries Ltd.), Mr. Shobhit Mukherjee (Sr. Game Designer, Unisoft Mumbai), Mr. Sangram Borse (Creative Director, Climb Media; Former Founder, Regh Animation Studios), and Ms. Jyotsna Arjuna (CEO, Yuvakaa Fashion). Day 2 delved into ‘Design Practice and Professions: What Makes a Great Designer?’ with esteemed panelists including Ms. Divya Gopalan (Founder & Creative Director, Studio Gunpowder), Mr. Abhisake Goyal (Associate Lead – Game Design, Ubisoft Mumbai), Mr. Kireet Khurana (Founder & Director, Climb Media Pvt. Ltd.; Co-Founder & Festival Director, Animela), and Mr. Amol Kadam (Head – Design, Spykar Jeans).
The interactive workshops, which was one of the other major highlights of the event, provided participants with hands-on learning opportunities across a spectrum of design disciplines, covering topics such as Character Design, Colour and Emotions, Multiplayer Game Development, Digital Ecosystems, Tie Dyeing Techniques, and Demystifying Fashion Films.
The grand finale witnessed a captivating keynote address by Ms. Darshan Gandhi, Head – Design at Godrej. Encouraging the students, Ms. Gandhi remarked, “Designers, whether inside or outside an organization, must embrace an entrepreneurial role and mindset. Design is a relatively modern field, and it’s our responsibility to convey its value and potential. I want to urge all the young designers to step out of their creative comfort zones. Take the initiative to learn about business, economics, and the constraints faced by others. Apply this knowledge proactively with your colleagues and senior leadership. Doing so will greatly enhance your success in presenting proposals, generating ideas, and conceptualising solutions.”
The closing event also witnessed the unveiling of the new logo for the Department of Animation & Game Design. Design Conclave 2024 culminated with the spectacular Aiyanna 2024 Graduation Show, showcasing the creative brilliance of the graduating batch of Fashion Design.
Ms. Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International, extended her best wishes to all the students, emphasising the institute’s commitment to nurturing creative talent. “Design Conclave 2024 has been a beacon of creativity and collaboration, fostering meaningful discussions and sparking new ideas within the design community. The event exemplifies our dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence and I congratulate every student of the School of Creative Arts for making it a grand success”, she remarked.
