ARCH College Hosts DCLS 5 and Orientation 2025 to Inspire Future Design Leaders

The month-long DCLS 5, held virtually under the theme “FORM.REFORM.TRANSFORM,” brought together renowned experts from the creative industries to discuss the evolving role of design in society. The series was divided into four sub-themes—Creativity 5.0, Society 5.0, Harmonious Liveability, and Design Leadership.

Under Creativity 5.0, Abhirup Dutta spoke on reviving vernacular crafts by blending traditional techniques with contemporary practice, while designer Gaurav Jai Gupta shared perspectives on sustainable textile innovation. Photographer Sudha Chandani Khatri led a dynamic session on magazine-style portraits, highlighting everyday beauty.

Aligned with World Industrial Design Day and the theme “Let’s Get Ethical”, the Society 5.0 sub-theme addressed design’s role in creating inclusive solutions. Key sessions included Pinky Maheshwari’s talk on rural empowerment through sustainable products, Uma Prajapati’s inspiring story of Tsunamika, and Gaurav Mandal’s discussion on design-driven entrepreneurship.

DCLS 5 concluded with Design Leadership, exploring how creative professionals can lead with empathy and purpose. Speakers included Pratima Pandey on leadership in craft, Samiir Wheaton on designing emotionally resonant spaces, and Neerja Palisetty, who shared her entrepreneurial journey in sustainable design businesses.

“Through DCLS, we aim to bridge design education and real-world impact by creating a space for dialogue and collaboration,” said Archana Surana, Founder & Director of ARCH College of Design & Business. She added that “The series allows our students to engage with industry experts and gain a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with being a designer.”

ARCH College hosted Orientation 2025 at its Jaipur campus, welcoming its newest batch of students and their families. Over 130 attendees participated in the event, which introduced them to the college’s academic programs, values, national and international collaborations, and the ethos of design-led innovation.

In her keynote address, Archana Surana encouraged students to pursue their academic journey with passion and resilience. “At ARCH, we believe in nurturing design thinkers who are not only creative but also conscious—capable of shaping meaningful solutions for society and industry,” she said.

The Orientation also featured inspiring addresses by Dr. Bhavani Shankar Sharma and Prof. Chandra Vijai Singh, who motivated the new students to approach their courses with integrity and purpose. Department coordinators introduced the students to their respective faculties and outlined the academic journey ahead across departments such as fashion, jewellery, interior design, communication design and BBA.

Together, DCLS 5 and Orientation 2025 reflected ARCH College of Design & Business’s commitment to experiential learning, industry-aligned education and building a vibrant creative community. Bringing together thought leaders and engaging students at the start of their academic journey, the initiative set a strong foundation for meaningful learning and collaboration. ARCH continues to nurture design professionals equipped to make a meaningful impact on society and industry.