Universal Design at NID

We are proud to announce that the Universal Design discipline at NID completes a decade this year.
Over the past 10 years, the discipline has been home to some of the most diligent, passionate, and brilliant students, guided and nurtured by an incredible team of faculties whose dedication has shaped our journey.

With every project, publication, and accolade, our students and alumni have amplified the voice of Universal Design, proudly representing NID across diverse global stages.

At its core, Universal Design has always stood for the crucial needs of every individual, every user, and every challenge, upholding the essence of truly impactful design.

As we mark this milestone, we are deeply honoured to invite our esteemed alumni to the Universal Design Alumni Meet 2025 on 27th September at NID Bangalore - a homecoming to celebrate the past, the present, and the future of UD.

We look forward to welcoming you all once again, where it all began.

Teacher’s day celebration 🎉

Had the incredible opportunity to attend a session with Dr. Keshav Kumar from NIMHANS and Rahul Joshi, where we explored the intersection of neuroscience and design.

From breaking down the functions of different parts of the brain to understanding visuoperceptual abilities and cognitive load, as well as learning about tools like fNIRs, the session helped us see how brain science can inform better, more human-centered design.

[Universal design, National Institute of Design, NID, NIMHANS, Neuroscience]

Empathy is one of humanity’s greatest strengths.It allows us to step into someone else’s world, understand their experiences, and design for inclusivity.

At NID’s D’Frost Fest 2025, students of Universal Design have created a ‘tactile painting’ that highlights the challenges faced by people with visual disabilities. But more than that, it also showcases how engaging and insightful tactile art can be - where you don’t just see but feel the painting.

To deepen the experience, students have designed special spectacles that simulate different visual impairments. When viewers wear them and touch the artwork, they gain a new perspective on accessibility and the importance of multi-sensory design.

Art isn’t just about seeing—it’s about experiencing. And design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about inclusion.

Last month, the batch of Universal Design 2024 visited EnAble India, a renowned non-governmental organization committed to empowering individuals with disabilities through education, training, and employment opportunities. During their visit, the students spent a day engaging with members of the organization, learning about their experiences in managing daily tasks and witnessing how they have been effectively trained to excel professionally. They were also introduced to various innovative tools and advancements designed to support individuals with disabilities. The visit proved to be an invaluable experience, fostering greater empathy among the students and providing them with deeper insights about this sector.

Universal Charcha 3.🎙️

We are truly grateful to have exceptional seniors from NID who guide us in navigating the complexities of the industry. Their insights help us make informed choices about our professional paths. Today, we had the privilege of hosting Tousif Rahaman, a UD alumnus from the 2018 batch. He led an engaging discussion on career trajectories, industry experiences, and the realities of working in design. This session was invaluable for the current Universal Design batch of 2024.
As we conclude our Charchas for this semester, we look forward to more enriching sessions in the next semester!

Universal Charcha 2. 🎙️

Had an enlightening session with Rohit Mudliyar, an NID alumnus from the class of 2018. It was inspiring to see his work both during and after his time at NID. The discussion was engaging, informative, and full of insights, making it a highly beneficial experience for the current UD batches (2023 and 2024).

Universal Charcha 1. 🎙️

Thrilled to have our 2018 Universal Design alum, Anudish Koshal, a UX designer at Microsoft, join us for an engaging UD talk. The session was both insightful and enjoyable, diving into important topics on design accessibility. It was a fantastic one-on-one conversation with students from both the first and second year, sparking valuable discussions about the future of design.

Universal Design batch of 2024 is Grateful for the incredible opportunity to visit GE Healthcare and
gained invaluable insights into how innovation in healthcare is transforming lives.

Guided by the Best 😇😇.

We're proud to announce the list of students from NID who worked on the new series of coins for the Government of India. These coins will be easier to identify for the visually impaired.

Congratulations!
Eemon Roy
Darshan Modi
Syamlal K.
Tista Roy
Swapnil Soni
Namita Verma .vermillion
Madhurima Sarkar
Gonga Naveen Kumar

https://www.microsoft.com/design/inclusive/

Microsoft Design