Anybody can draw – be confident, be imaginative
There is an age-old saying that knowledge grows at a double, or maybe triple, speed when people share knowledge with each other and collaborate. With vast corporate as well as teaching experience of 22+ years under my belt, I can vouch for this adage.
When we exchange knowledge, we not only learn what is already there, but also create together a new form of knowledge that further enriches the existing pool of our collective knowledge. And this process continues for generations.
Anybody can learn to draw. All you need is to trust yourself, and free your imagination and your pencil. In my class, students learn to believe that they all can do it. And it works wonders. My students’ smile says it all!
Workshop photos, National Institute of Design
Courses at a glance
Fundamentals of Visual Design
Objective
- Conceptualise, visualise and communicate ideas through the study of various natural and man-made forms present in the surroundings
- Sharpen the power of observation, sense of proportion, space, relative proportion and dimensions of the subject
- Understand the environment as well as the interaction of human beings in relation with their environment
Modules
- Basic understanding of the freehand perspective and object drawing
- Complex one-point, two-point and three-point perspectives of interior and exterior spaces
- Dimensional solids and objects
- Study of mapping and measurement of spaces in terms of relationships
- Nature drawing: (a) exploration of the tree, leaf and foliage;(b) landscapes
- Animal figure drawing: (a) blocks; (b) quick 1-5 min. sketches; (c) detailed study
- Human figure drawing: (a) exploration of the human form, limbs, torso, head, portrait and body parts with blocks; (b) understanding of form and relative proportions and details; (c) overall human form study with actual model, quick 1-5 min. sketches to enhance observation; (d) detailed study of the human activity pattern and depiction of essential action(s) to convey the process
- Urban sketches: (a) understanding of form and relative proportions and details; (b) measurement of spaces in terms of relationships; (c) cityscapes
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Outdoor study sessions
- Group presentation and critiques
- Assignments and projects during non-contact hours
Course requirements
- Pencil (6b, 8b etc.), charcoal, pen and ink, brush, dry pastel, and ball pen
Color Theory and Application
Objective
- To help students build their concept around color and its application
- To build their power of observation, interpretation and skills for handling different color techniques, transparent (watercolor) as well as opaque (oil, acrylic, poster color etc.)
- To help them understand the relationship of color with form
Modules
- Color theory (introduction of colour wheel)
- Different components and variations of color: (a) tone, hue, tint and shade handling; (b) opaque and transparent color; (c) relationships among colors
- Light and transparency: (a) light and shadow in observational drawing; (b) creating impressions of 2D and 3D forms
- Principles of composition; brush control exercises plus mixed media
- Techniques in context: (a) exercises and demos to show how to use watercolor, oil, acrylic, poster color, ink etc.; (b) exploring different color application techniques and working with paper/canvas; (c) how to add a color wash; (d) opaque and transparent techniques
Subject: Landscape, skies, water, still life/indoor, portraiture/figure, cityscape etc.
Style: Imaginary, illustrative, narrative
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Outdoor sketching sessions
- Group presentation and critiques
- Assignments and projects during non-contact hours
Course requirements
- Watercolor tube paints (artist quality), watercolor brushes, watercolor paper (200-300 GSM), palette; Oil tube paints (artist quality), oil brushes, canvas, turpentine oil; Acrylic paint, Poster color, Pen and Ink
Information Graphics
Objective
- What an infographic is and what makes a good one
- The importance of infographics
- How to create an infographic
Modules
- Basics of infographics: (a) how to work within your limits; (b) how to work with a team (if you have one); (c) why infographics are effective; (d) techniques for spotting data in stories
- Building blocks of infographics – Charts: (a) create bar, line, pie and flow charts using Adobe Illustrator; (b) kind of data to use for each of the above (incl. what to use and when)
- Building blocks of infographics – Maps: create maps using Adobe Illustrator
- Different ways of data visualisation (incl. what to use and when)
- Building blocks of infographics: typography, colour and an underlying grid structure
- Planning your infographic: (a) steps in planning an effective infographic; (b) plan an infographic (group + individual); (c) sketch a layout of your infographic
- Execute your infographic
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Class assignments (group)
- Assignments and projects (individual) during non-contact hours
- Group presentation and critiques
Course requirements
- Laptop, Adobe CC Suite, pen tab, internet, pencil, paper
Communications Design
Objective
- To sensitise the students to a different visual order of text and image so as to convey and communicate the intended message effectively
- To encourage students to select the appropriate software and organise their materials such as text, images, illustrations, samples and diagrams to communicate effectively
- To familiarise students with the characteristics of the type
- To sensitise them to typography as means of communication and the basic principles of type hierarchy
Modules
- The study of typographic elements and their inter-relationship (size, word space, kerning for easy readability and communication)
- Organising typographic information system of hierarchy, grid and layout, development of style sheets, synchronising image and text assignment on sample grids and layouts
- Exploring emotive interpretation of type and word to communicate
- Symbol design (pictogram, ideogram and icon)
- Logo theory and design
- Designing different types of marketing collaterals: (a) brochures, pamphlets, guides and promotional flyers; (b) visiting cards, name cards; (c) sales presentations; (d) pavilion design; (e) booth design; (f) standees, banners, posters and danglers; (g) webpage design; (h) white papers
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Class assignments (group)
- Assignments and projects (individual) during non-contact hours
- Group presentation and critiques
Course requirements
- Laptop, Adobe CC Suite, pen tab, internet, pencil, paper
Branding & Packaging
Objective
- To build an understanding of Brand Identity, Brand Image / Brand Positioning
- To comprehend the concept and use of packaging in various contexts
- To build an understanding of various brand strategies with reference to communication design
- To follow a design process to create a brand identity and packaging
Modules
- Brand Identity /Brand Image / Brand Positioning
- Understanding of monogram, logotype, and symbol
- Target Market / Personas
- Aspects of Branding (Logo, Color palette, Typography, Imagery, Packaging, Website design)
- Advertising campaigns consistent with the brand’s visual identity, including everything from the style of imagery to the colour palette and typography used in print or digital ads
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Class assignments (group)
- Assignments and projects (individual) during non-contact hours
- Group presentation and critiques
Course requirements
- Laptop, Adobe CC Suite, pen tab, internet, pencil, paper
Layout and Design of Print Publications
Objective
- To sensitise the students to the aesthetics of the printed page
- To teach them the tools of designing a printed page, with emphasis on newspaper design
Modules
- A brief history and purpose of layout design
- Principles of page layout
- Elements of layout + typography
- Detailed hands-on software training: Adobe InDesign
- Detailed hands-on software training: Adobe Photoshop
- Detailed hands-on software training: Adobe Illustrator
- Design and publication of a newsletter (final project)
Course includes
- Demonstration along with lectures, discussions and discourse
- Class assignments (group)
- Assignments and projects (individual) during non-contact hours
- Group presentation and critiques
Course requirements
- Laptop, Adobe CC Suite, pen tab, internet, pencil, paper