DeSH Lab
Design Studies/History LabÂ
Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
There is an imperative to cultivate new forms of knowledge from underrepresented geographies and cultures within the discussed streams. Our research orientation is towards unearthing grounded perspectives without compromising qualitative rigour to enrich the larger design discourse through doctoral and postdoctoral studies, research projects and new outreach courses at the Department of Design, IIT Delhi.
About the Logo
The DESH Lab logo embodies a vision of design deeply intertwined with our earthly cultures, where sustainability transcends mere frameworks to become inherent common sense. Here, design sensibilities emerge organically from grassroots perspectives rooted in indigenous and people's wisdom. The ethos of commons and sharing permeates the mainstream, with an emphasis on embracing plurality at its core.
About
The Design Studies/History Lab, or the DeSH Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, in India, is dedicated to the progressing fields of Design Studies and Design History. As a research group led by Prof Saurabh Tewari at the Department of Design IIT Delhi, we aim to pioneer rooted paradigms in the fields through research, pedagogy, and dissemination. The following are the conceptual aims of the initiative:
Bridging the Gaps: Focusing on Design Studies and Design Histories, especially their intersections in Making and Communication, our research aims to bridge the critical, epistemological, and methodological gaps within existing accounts.
Expanding Horizons: Engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders is crucial to bring about its realisation in education, governance, and society. Our group is committed to broadening the discourse by incorporating underarticulated voices and making them accessible to a broader audience. In this context, we plan to undertake design projects intertwined with critical themes such as Climate Change, Inclusivity, and Gender.
Decolonising Perspectives: Over the past few decades, the discourse of Design has significantly impacted human lives, yet the 'majority world' has not realised the intended visions. Over the past six decades, it has also demonstrated adverse effects on the environment, culture, and society. One of the reasons for this lies in Design's disassociation from plural contexts due to its proclaimed universal nature. This belief aligns with the emerging decolonisation movement in the Design world without subscribing to any xenophobic stance. We will re-explore Design in Communication, Making, Architecture, and its Education in this context.