AOD champions ‘Design’ as the next big industry to work in Sri Lanka
View(s):Given that almost seventy percent of Sri Lanka is powered by the service sector, a boom in the Design Industry of Sri Lanka can be seen.The typical design Industry includes the sought after discipline of ‘Interior design’ that is high in demand by the tourism and leisure industry of Sri Lanka so that it gives identity to the property. The second discipline is ‘fashion’ that stems from the massive apparel industry and the increasing attention personal style that is taking form in the country. The third discipline is ‘Graphic design’ that targets the advertising, packaging and the different point-of-sale material that organizations across the world demand.
In line with this trend AOD presented the many career options that this industry has to offer to youngsters by presenting the Annual Design Career Day -2013 to a full house at their Sri Lankan campus in Colombo 4. Mihiri de Silva founder and designer of Sri Lanka’s first ethical fashion label RedCocoon and Head of Design and Development of MAS Brands, who was in the eminent panel, stated “The apparel industry today is one of the biggest revenue generators and has become an industry that holds so much potential for young people –not only in Sri Lanka but, abroad too.”
The students following the Northumbria curriculum at AOD become a part of this industry even before they graduate as part of the industry collaborations in the curriculum. Following this, founder and chief Interior Designer of Canvas Interior Design Studio Chamika Wickremasinghe spoke about the diversity in the sphere of Interior Design; “Today I work on a wide range of projects from residential, leisure to industrial – the ability to diversify is important in Interior Design,” she stated. The exhibition on display at the event complemented the topic by showing the Northumbria UK Interior Design curriculum at AOD which touches from furniture design, residential to retail design covering the complete spectrum of Interior Design.
Tasha Marikkar Head of Digital at Grant McCann Erikson and co-founder of Electric Peacock Festival spoke about the vast advertising industry and stressed being constantly updated and relevant to succeed in her industry; “This is not an easy job and you have to be at the top of the consumer thinking and the advances of the digital world…In fact, digital is the future in advertising and it’s what I would advise young designers to explore”. The Northumbria graphic Design and motion graphics degrees at AOD are two programmes that continuously update their curriculum to meet the needs of the constantly changing digital world and produces a stream of designers who’re relevant to this industry.
Dharshi Keertisena Designer and Creative Director of the popular fashion brand Buddhi Batiks said “Working in fashion is not easy. It’s a very, very serious job. You have to design in answer to a client’s need, incorporate what’s trendy and beautiful while making sure the product is commercially viable- you have to know so much and be properly educated to get it right.” The Northumbria fashion
(L to R – Mihiri de Silva founder and designer of Sri Lanka’s first ethical fashion label RedCocoon and Head of Design and Development of MAS Brands, founder and chief Interior Designer of Canvas Interior Design Studio Chamika Wickremasinghe, Tasha Marikkar Head of Digital at Grant McCann Erikson and co-founder of Electric Peacock Festival, Dharshi Keertisena Designer and Creative Director of Buddhi Batiks and Rohantha Athukorala-Head of National Portfolio Development - Sri Lanka & Maldives at UNOPS as the moderator)
programme at AOD trains young designers to produce fashion that is both trendy and commercially viable through its 3 year training with live projects for real clients.
The session was moderated by Rohantha Athukorala the distinguished corporate personality who challenged the speakers with the careers opportunities, and how this new industry is driving organizations on a new trail.
The DESIGN CAREER DAY – 2013 edition was hosted by AOD that hosts the Northumbria University UK design degrees and the event was partnered by the British Council Sri Lanka.
To contact AOD International Design Campus regarding 2013 current enrolments for Northumbria University UK design degrees and further information,call 5867772/3, 0775980141 or email info@aod.lk. For more information visit the campus at 29, Lauries road, Colombo 4 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, or log on to www.aod.lk or www.facebook.com/aodsrilanka
comments powered by Disqus