News & Events

Noted artist and sculptor John Baby conducted a workshop on Coconut palm leaf crafts for students of SDS on 6th September 2023. Students learnt to make fish, bird, insects hats using various techniques under his expert guidance.

SDS celebrated its first Onam since its inception with the new batch of B Des. Students organising a Pookkalam, dressing up in traditional finery, taking part in games and cultural activities. Payasam was served to all adding more sweetness to the occasion. The school took a break for a week for Onam vacation.

New batch of B Des. Students went on an ethnographic and industrial visit on 23^rd August to Coir units in Alappuzha to understand the process and techniques used in the industry and the lifestyle of the workers. Students saw coir being soaked in water, beaten to extract fibres, dried and twisted into ropes manually and also with machines. The coir ropes made are bundled and sent to units where they are converted into mats, carpets and geo textiles They also saw units were coir mattresses and coir composite boards are made. The day ended with a visit to the coir museum where the history of coir industry, technology, processes were on display. Students put up an interesting exhibition after studying and analysing the information collected as a part of their Introduction to Design course.

SDS saw its new batch of Bachelor of Design students joining in on 21^st August 2023 with an event where they had to set their own paper boats to sail symbolically into the school atrium marking their journey into the world of design. Paper boats brought in nostalgia and memories of everyone’s first creative discovery to the fore.

Vinodlal, Technical trainer from Canon India gave an informative introduction to Canon cameras to the Second Semester B Des. Foundation students as a part of Wednesday Talks on 14^th June 2023 at 10.00AM. Students were exposed to the History of Photography, DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, Still and Video photography and differences in lenses. This is a precursor to the upcoming three-week course in Basic Photography for the students.

Saintgits Design Aptitude Test (SDAT) 2023 Round One was held on May 27^th in SDS premises from 10AM onwards, The test had three components viz. an Aptitude Test where candidates’ general knowledge, analytical ability, writing and drawing skills were tested in an our-long written test. This was followed by a Studio test where they were asked to make a specific product with the materials provided within a specified time. Afternoon session had students being called in for a portfolio review and interaction, the marks of all three were added to make the final score. Short-listed candidates will be informed to join within a stipulated time period. The next round of SDAT will be held on June 17, 2023, for which applications will be accepted till June 14.

Eminent Sound designer Nikhil Varma took a session with SDS foundation students on May 10^th sensitising them about the possibilities of sound in various media, showcasing his work and the process. Nikhil runs Moleculz sound studio based in Tripunithura creating sound for movies and advertisements. He was in news recently for the sound design of The Elephant Whisperers which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards, making it the first Indian film to win an Academy Award in that category at the Oscars.

SDS Semester 2 students made a day’s trip to visit Vagamon accompanied by two faculty members on May 5^th as part of their Colour Studies course. They visited important landmarks and took photographs which are expected to be used in their ongoing course.

Second semester B Des. students, faculty and staff of SDS created an installation in the school atrium to welcome Vishu, the Malayali New year. The installation made of paper had bunches of an abstract form of Kanikkonna, which flowers during the season across the state. Made and installed over two days, the installation took everyone by surprise.

Prof. Sharmila Mitra restarted the Wednesday Talks series for Semester 2 with ‘An Introduction to Indian Textiles’ on 29^th March. Students were shown samples and images of woven, printed and embroidered textiles from all over the country. A few short films were also screened to make them understand the process of making them.

Semester 2 classes for B Des. students began on March 13^th after a two-week semester break. Students were introduced to their new courses and changed rules and regulations. Classes began with Design Geometry 2 where they explored solid geometry and three-dimensional geometry. 

Semester 1 students had their first taste of juried presentations on February 21, 22 & 23 with eminent designer George Paul joining in as the external expert in the panel which also had two SDS faculty members. Students presented their works and learnings and were questioned on their understanding and process.

Students made a one-day trip to Fort Kochi to visit the Kochi Biennale on 26^th January 2023 to experience first-hand the multi-sensory exhibition with paintings, sculptures, video and multimedia installations. They were fascinated by the sheer scale and variety of the event and came back inspired.

Prof. Hashim Padiyath took a session on Communication design, introducing students to the various sub-domains under it including graphic design, animation, film making, immersive media. He also shared with them glimpses from his academic and professional journey through a slide-show. This was held on 18^th January as a part of Wednesday Talks series.

Students attended a Ceramic Workshop conducted by Sanchana Rachel Jacob at Mann by Raell on January 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2023. They were exposed to crafting ceramic objects, working on the wheel, firing and glazing ceramic pottery. They made their own ceramic ware during the workshop.

Prof. Nithin Jacob Eapen introduced the students to the discipline of Product design, taking them through his academic and professional journeys, discovering many aspects of design practice on the way. The session was held as a part of the Wednesday Talks series on 11^th January, 2022

Prof. Helna Merin Jacob took a workshop in Christmas star making for the students on 21^st December 2022. Students made their own stars with paper and decorated the café premises with their colourful creations.

Arya Unnithan took students through the nuances of Indian Classical Music, especially Carnatic music. Concepts like Raaga and Taala were explained to them with the help of popular film songs. This session was held on December 14, 2022 as a part of the Wednesday Talks series.

Students and faculty joined hands to make an installation for Christmas in the adjoining atrium. They made Christmas trees with card and suspended them to create the installation to usher in the spirit of Christmas. This happened over a few days starting from 6^th to 8^th December 2022.

Prof. Nitin Jacob Eapen took a workshop for the students in Tie and Dye Techniques as a part of their Wednesday engagements on 30^th November, 2022. Students had a busy time, tying fabric pieces, dying them with colours and untying them to discover interesting patterns generated in the process.

Deepak Nair took students along a musical journey, introducing them to various genres of Western music. Listening to songs, singing and playing instruments, students had a fun time recalling their favourite singers and songs. This session was held on 9^th November 2022 as a part of the Wednesday Talks series.

George Paul, an alumnus of IDC, IIT Bombay and a design consultant based in Changanassery, took an introductory session on Interaction design to students who will have to choose a discipline at the end of their foundation year. He explained the evolution of this discipline, major milestones in its growth and the future of the discipline. This was held on 19^th October 2022 as a part of the Wednesday Talks series.

Students made a one-day visit to Durbar Hall, Kochi on 15^th October 2022 to see the Centenary exhibition of Satyajit Ray, who was a multi-talented artist. The exhibition exposed them to the mind of a creative genius, his filmography and his graphic work.

Prof. Lekha Susan Jacob took a session on Butterflies, touching upon their identification process, their life cycle, and their habits. Students were asked to paint a butterfly of their choice from those spotted on the campus. This session was held on 12^th October, 2022 as a part of the Wednesday Talks series.

SDS was inaugurated on September 28^th, 2022 in a simple function where Architect Jacob Cherian was the chief guest. Students, guests and faculty lit terracotta oil lamps and put them on the traditional kolam design made in the foyer. After the inaugural speeches, the Dean introduced the students to the programme and it highlights.