Course General Description

Public spaces whether interior or exterior, offer a stage for the collective in a world that is becoming increasingly individualistic. These spaces can be defined as publicly owned spaces that, in theory, are open and accessible to all members of a given community - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, or socio-economic level. These spaces may be planned or unplanned, temporary or permanent and expansive or intimate; ranging from chai stalls, bazaars, public squares, exhibition spaces, retail spaces, public libraries and places of mass transit, to mention a few. Key aspects of a successful public space include safety, inclusivity and enhanced opportunities for participation in community and civic life. This program at Srishti, investigates and engages with the complexity and diversity of public space requirements that are constantly being shaped by changes in technologies, social structures, demographics and many more. An experiential and theoretical understanding of exterior and interior public spaces allows practitioners to engage with layers of scale and complexity. The Public Space Design program, cultivates a capacity to draw from diverse fields of knowledge, contextualize and develop creative visions for inclusive and sensitive interventions. We foster empathetic designers/artists who explore and experiment with the ideas of participation, ownership and empowerment in community spaces.

School General Description

Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology (Srishti) is a design school established in 1996 by the Ujwal Trust in Bangalore, India. It offers design education in Digital Video Production, Film, Visual Communication, Experimental Media Arts, Design in Education, Textile Design, Animation and Visual Effects, Interaction Design, Product and Interface Design, Furniture and Spatial Design, Business Systems and Design and much more. Srishti has a number of centers and labs that offer practice- and research-based environments for students and faculty from a multitude of disciplines. These include (in alphabetical order): BHSI – Bangalore Human Sciences Initiative CEMA – Center for Experimental Media Arts CERTAD – Centre for Education, Research, Training and Development CPH – Centre for Public History GRIDs – Grassroots Innovation Design Studio Kabir Project[5] LEDLAB – Law+Environment+Design Laboratory Srishti Films Srishti Labs DesignEARTH Lab Natural Fibres Lab Pandimonium Lab SUI-Srishti Collaborative Blank Noise Srishti's culture encourages thinking, questioning and experimenting to harness the artistic and intellectual potential of each individual and place the institution at the leading edge of contemporary art and design discourse. A multi-disciplinary approach inculcates self-initiated learning and independent thinking and expands perceptual perspectives. Regular interaction with design studios, production and distribution centers, community projects, retail establishments and industry forms a vital bridge between Srishti and the world.