AOD champions design as the next big industry to work in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 17 September 2013 00:16
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Given that almost 70% of Sri Lanka is powered by the service sector, a boom in the design industry of Sri Lanka can be seen. The typical design Industry includes the sought after discipline of interior design that is high in demand by the tourism and leisure industry of Sri Lanka so that it gives identity to the property. The second discipline is fashion that stems from the massive apparel industry and the increasing attention personal style that is taking form in the country. The third discipline is ‘graphic design’ that targets the advertising, packaging and the different point-of-sale material that organisations across the world demand.
In line with this trend AOD presented the many career options that this industry has to offer to youngsters by presenting the Annual Design Career Day -2013 to a full house at their Sri Lankan campus in Colombo 4.
Mihiri de Silva founder and designer of Sri Lanka’s first ethical fashion label RedCocoon and Head of Design and Development of MAS Brands, who is on the panel stated: “The apparel industry today is one of the biggest revenue generators and has become an industry that holds so much potential for young people, not only in Sri Lanka but, abroad too.”
The students following the Northumbria curriculum at AOD become a part of this industry even before they graduate as part of the industry collaborations in the curriculum. Following this, Canvas Interior Design Studio Founder and Chief Interior Designer Chamika Wickremasinghe speaking about the diversity in the sphere of interior design said: “Today I work on a wide range of projects from residential, leisure to industrial and the ability to diversify is important in interior design.”
The exhibition on display at the event complemented the topic by showing the Northumbria UK interior design curriculum at AOD which touches from furniture design, residential to retail design covering the complete spectrum of interior design.
Grant McCann Erikson Head of Digital and Co-Founder of the Electric Peacock Festival Tasha Marikkar spoke about the advertising industry and stressed about the need to be constantly updated and relevant to succeed in the industry, said: “This is not an easy job and you have to be at the top of consumer thinking and the advances of the digital world. In fact, digital is the future in advertising and it’s what I would advise young designers to explore.”
The Northumbria graphic design and motion graphics degrees at AOD are two programs that continuously update their curriculum to meet the needs of the constantly changing digital world and produce a stream of designers who’re relevant to this industry.
Buddhi Batiks Designer and Creative Director Dharshi Keertisena said: “Working in fashion is not easy. It’s a very, very serious job. You have to design in answer to a client’s need, incorporate what’s trendy and beautiful while making sure the product is commercially viable. You have to know so much and be properly educated to get it right.”
The Northumbria fashion program at AOD trains young designers to produce fashion that is both trendy and commercially viable through its three-year training with live projects for real clients.
The session was moderated by Rohantha Athukorala the distinguished corporate personality who challenged the speakers with the careers opportunities, and how this new industry is driving organisations on a new trail.
The Design Career Day 2013 edition was hosted by AOD that hosts the Northumbria University UK design degrees and the event was partnered by the British Council Sri Lanka.
To contact AOD International Design Campus regarding 2013 current enrolments for Northumbria University UK design degrees and further information, call 5867772/3, 0775980141 or email [email protected]. For more information visit the campus at 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, or log on to www.aod.lk or www.facebook.com/aodsrilanka.
