Chitkara University hosts DesignUp Day with leading design experts

Chitkara Design School, Chitkara University hosted DesignUp Day, bringing together designers, practitioners and creative thinkers for conversations on the evolving role of design and its application across different fields.

The event featured Alysha Naples, Designer, Artist, Coach and Somatic Practitioner; Shiva Vishwanathan, Curator and Director, DesignUp; Niteesh Yadav, AVP Design and Research, Pocket FM and Meru Vashisht, Human-Centered Design Lead, International Rescue Committee. The sessions gave students an opportunity to engage with professionals working across design, technology, storytelling, human-centred practice and social impact.

The discussions covered observation, empathy, experimentation and interdisciplinary thinking, with speakers sharing perspectives from their respective areas of practice. Students explored how these approaches can shape the way designers understand people, identify problems and develop relevant responses.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “Design is not simply about creating what looks good; it is about understanding what matters. When students learn to observe closely, question thoughtfully and design with empathy, they begin to see possibilities where others may see limitations. Platforms such as DesignUp give our students the opportunity to engage with practitioners who bring different experiences and perspectives, helping them understand the responsibility and possibilities that come with being a designer.”

The conversations also addressed the changing role of designers in a context shaped by technology, social complexity and evolving human needs, drawing on perspectives from creative practice, emerging technologies and social impact.

For Chitkara Design School students, DesignUp Day connected classroom learning with the perspectives of practitioners working across diverse fields.