Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology

Program Description

Srishti offers a 2 year Advanced Diploma Program in Transcultural Design in a joint collaboration with L’Ecole de Design, Nantes Atlantique, France. The curriculum for this program has been developed in partnership with L’Ecole de Design and will concentrate on aspects of interaction design, responsible innovation, ethnography and cultural hybridity in design. Starting in October 2010, the program will involve 2 residencies in France, of which one will be an industry internship. Selection to the program will be based on the recommendations of an international jury.

Program objective

The general objective of the Advanced Diploma Program in Transcultural Design is to twofold- to offer Indian graduate-level design students the opportunity to experience French culture and design in the context of the country’s corporate environment, and to offer French or European graduate-level students an immersion in Indian culture, design and industry.

Program rationale

Transculturality encompasses a broad understanding of cultures, their interactions and their adaptations. The concept acknowledges the diversity brought on by the confluence of cultures as well as the hybrid and innovative cultural forms and processes that emerge as cultures transit through each other. This program is underpinned by an acknowledgement of the notion of transculturality as a significant and relevant context within which to locate contemporary design practice.

What does it mean to be a designer in a transcultural context? What does it mean to a student from any culture to interact with another and to apply the design methods and processes acquired in one cultural environment to another one? Or to blend the methods and processes of different cultural, economic and social contexts to create hybrid and innovative responsible design practices? The curriculum for this program will explore in depth the design challenges posed by the transcultural experience and will have as its aim, the mutual benefits of transcultural exchanges and interactions.

What does the collaboration with L'Ecole de Design involve?

This is a 2-year program which is divided into 4 semesters. The collaboration with L’Ecole de Design involves 2 residencies in France that will take place during the first and fourth semesters of the program. The first residency will be during Semester One at L’Ecole de Design and the second residency will be an industry internship in France during Semester Four. The curriculum is planned in collaboration with L’Ecole de Design and selection to the program is based on the recommendations of an international jury appointed by L’Ecole de Design.

Who can apply?

If you hold a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma with relevant experience in design, or if you have completed your undergraduate studies equating to 180 ECTS credits for European students, you are welcome to apply to the program.

What are the fees?

The fees for the Advanced Diploma Program in Transcultural Design will be Rs. 2.75 lakh per year. This covers the tuition fee for the program. It does not cover your travel and accommodation costs in India and France.

What is the deadline for applications? By when will I know whether I have been accepted?

The last date for applying to the program is 15th August, 2010. You will know by the end of September whether you have been accepted. The program will start during the second week of October, 2010.

What are the practical applications of the knowledge and skills that the program will offer?

The knowledge and skills that the program offers will have design applications that would be located within broader areas of design such as interaction design, responsible innovation, ethnography and cultural hybridity design. The design applications could include safety and emergency equipments, innovation oriented services, life space design and improvement, health and social issues, sustainable development, interactivity, gaming applications, equipment, mobile services, research on multi sensorial interfaces and pervasive computing.

How do I apply?

The application form can be downloaded here. If you have any further questions, please contact us at transculturalmasters.adp@srishti.ac.in