We design to create experiences, experience of space, experience of colour, experience that could lead to emotional connect. But through my design journey I have seen that it’s the experience that creates a design.
I landed up in architecture by accident but architecture got me interested in design. So after my B.Arch, NID seemed like an obvious next step. What followed not only enriched me in experience but also shaped my thoughts and perception. And finally I got an opportunity to express myself through design at Foley Designs with whom I have been associated ever since.
Kulveer Bhati
As a kid I grew up in a humble environment of a village, which made me appreciate and experience nature.
The perseverance with which people live in rural areas made me realize that limited resource can’t create an obstacle unless you want them to.
So when it came to choosing a systems project at NID I wanted to create a solution from one of my experiences while studying in a village school.
Chokdi
The Chokdi is an Indian rural desk designed using materials which are easily available in a rural setting.
Till now the availability of proper educational furniture is a constraint faced by Indian rural schools. So when I wanted to create furniture for primary school students I wanted it to be simple, sturdy and easy enough to be created with a limited skill set, and available materials.
This was how the idea of “Chokdi” a low height seat desk was born. The design of “Chokdi” is such that the villagers can produce it by themselves. This is possible since the design is simple and utilises easily available materials like bamboo and woven jute.
Chokdi
The Chokdi can be comfortably used as study table.
As a designer it is important to understand that many a times the solution to a design query lies in nature itself. I followed this principal for the design of a public space seating. The context was to create a short time seating for the roadside public areas like bus stops – since most Indian roads have limited public space on both sides, a permanent furniture would eat-up utilitarian space.
So I created “Fro”a foldable seat that is portable and does not consume precious public space.
The folding principal of the seat follows the flexible movement of a leap frog.
Fro
Fro is a folding furniture that supports the sit-stand position.
A leap frog while hunting prey squats on the ground but when it leaps it stretches itself. The volumetric transformation of frog from the squatting to the leaping position inspired me to come up with the concept of the foldable seat.
Nature kept inspiring me in many of my pursuits – not only in terms of its principles but also through its inspiring forms and geometry. Throughout my tenure at Foley Designs I have tried to incorporate my experience with nature in my designs.
Fro
The design for ‘Fro’ was inspired by the
European Leap Frog.
Few of the notable projects that I have been part of were the design of LED light MIO and NEO for Wipro lighting.
It’s a dream of every designer to create iconic designs that would define not only his design sensibilities but also the cityscape. I had a brilliant opportunity to design for the public space in New Delhi, which was a part of the development for Common Wealth games 2010.
Ad Hoarding
The Commonwealth Ad hoarding was targeted at an
audience which was truly cosmopolitan in nature.
I felt that the designs for the proposed access roads to the CWG sports complex should be such that it becomes visual identity of that space. The design of the Kiosk, Bus Stand and Ad Hoarding reflects simple yet refined form, which is easily identifiable. In terms of its visual aspect
I kept it at par with the language followed in all the newly developed sports complexes.
Bus Stand
The Bus Stand designed for the Commonwealth games was both comfortable and futuristic.
My experiences through my design journey have taught me to be more companionate to the users and their environment. It is important for a designer to be sensitive towards a user’s need in order to create a successful design. I believe one of the ways to achieve that is by sharing the experience of the users. My designs reflect the experience that I have gained through my interaction with the users, my curiosity to discover and through my travels.
And this journey is still on…
Contact
email: kulveer.bhati@gmail.com
