Rohith Krishnan is a visual artist from Calicut, Kerala, and an alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar, India. His practice as a teacher focuses on pedagogies in visual communication design and user experience design, and as an artist explores the mediums of still and moving images on topics related to human emotions, communities, landscapes, violence, socio-political phenomena, etc.
Dr. Hasan Akhtar is an Assistant Professor (Environmental Science) in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at RV University and holds an Associate Researcher position at the University of Exeter, UK. His primary research endeavours revolve around the crucial role of forest ecosystems in mitigating global warming and addressing climate change challenges. Drawing from extensive Postdoctoral research experience at both the University of Exeter and the National University of Singapore (NUS), he has solidified his expertise in this domain.
Dr. Akhtar earned his Ph.D. from NUS and an M. Tech. in Environmental Engineering from IIT Dhanbad. Beyond his academic achievements, he has four years of valuable industrial experience. During this period, he contributed significantly as an environment manager at both the Steel Authority of India Limited and Jindal Steel and Power Limited. This dual perspective, blending academic rigour with practical industry insights, enriches his approach to environmental science and sustainability.
Professor Sutirtha De, is a multidisciplinary designer and educator who brings over 23 years of distinguished industry experience, specialising in design and product development across accessories, apparel, and footwear for prominent Indian and International brands. His expertise extends to visual identity and graphic design, significantly influencing the global success of renowned brands.
Having served as a designer and later as a business head for prominent retail brands in India, including Color Plus, Arvind Brands, Louis Philippe, Reid & Taylor, Puma, Saville Row of London, Armani Exchange, Hugo Boss, and Radley, UK from 2000 to 2015, Professor De possesses a wealth of practical knowledge in the industry.
Professor De’s commitment to sustainability is evident through his involvement in initiatives like the Jute Project for the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, conducted by NID. His contributions earned him the prestigious India Design Mark Award. Additionally, he is a practicing calligrapher, lettering artist, and photographer, further showcasing the multifaceted nature of his expertise.
His foray into academia commenced as a full-time faculty at the prestigious National Institute of Design (NID) Gandhinagar (2015 – 2019), specializing in Lifestyle & Accessories Design. In addition, Professor De is a visiting faculty at various design institutions such as NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Madhya Pradesh, NID Assam, Indian Institute of Technology – Jammu, NIFT Bangalore, NIFT Patna, and Pearl Academy, Bangalore.