There is a need to focus on universal design as the country’s economy grows, education level improves and the public are aware of the requirements of all sections of the society in a product or place, according to Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Trustee of GKD Charity and chairman of the governing council of DJ Academy of Design.
He said at the inaugural of the two-day conference on “Universal Design”, organised here on Friday and Saturday by the Academy and the British Council, that the five Indian universal design principles are based on the factors that the product or space should be equitable, usable, cultural, economic and aesthetic.
Events such as the conference help corporates to embrace the concept of universal design and look at it with sensitivity and realise the commercial potential of the subject. The Academy also plans to carry forward the event and organise it regularly to showcase the latest trends in design.
Loganathan Dhanasekaran, head – partnerships and policy dialogues, British Council, Chennai, said that education and research are key areas in India-British relationship.
Trust
The council builds trust and understanding between different countries and cultures. The speakers at the event include experts in universal design from the U.K.
The two-day programme includes sessions on universal design for gadgets, spaces, apparels, etc and an expo of products designed by the students of the academy. The participants include designers, town planners and students.
