This article was published in the Baroda Times Supplement, Times of India on 6th October 1998. The evening course mentioned here was actually developed by me specifically for the Adult Education Faculty in MSU, Baroda.
Adult Education or the continuing education courses have been running for over two decades in Baroda. Initially offered short-term courses for home decoration it was usually targeted at housewives. It was based on a demand from the housewives of higher middle class who often had extra time on their hands and wanted to do something fruitful in their spare time. The various faculties would come forward with courses and the centre would run it on their behalf in the summer. After some time, it was thought that the course could become a para professional course, which would aid the skilled workers and the spouses of professional Interior Designers in assisting them. This sort of course involved the professionals from the field in an active manner.
The architecture department has come up with a proposal for two long term courses and 10 short term courses. The two long-term courses of One year and six month duration have commenced since the third week of July.
There are two important points that distinguish these courses from the professional level Interior Design courses. One is that they are for the mass audience and therefore no aptitude test is conducted prior to admission of the students into the course. These courses are geared towards an appreciation of Interior Design as a professional discipline and appreciate its many facets.
“This was the main idea behind formulating this course for the lay public. People appreciate good music and art so why shouldn’t they become conscious about the spaces they live in? There are many aspects of Design, which are less known to the common man. These courses would definitely broaden their horizons.” Says Prof. Navangul, The Head of the Department for Architecture. “We really appreciate the efforts made by the Adult Education centre towards educating people who are interested in various disciplines. So we took it upon ourselves to formulate the courses, with the help of a visiting faculty member within the Department of Architecture, and are conducting classes in the Faculty of Technology. Along with an artist we have young interior designers who are extremely enthusiastic about teaching this course.”
Ms. Hemaben Patel, the Ex HOD of School of Interior Design at Vallabhvidyanagar feels that, “Such courses fundamentally help individuals to appreciate the spaces and generates an awareness about deign as a whole. It does not, however, mean that they would be able to design and develop spaces as a profesional designer would. But they would definitely begin to appreciate spaces and what makes them interesting and appealing to the human mind. Such courses, in the long run, can definitely create an awareness among the lay public about the art involved in creating spaces. Professionals related to the field of Interior Design spend their entire lives in making dreams come true with their skill and inventiveness”
Some professionals are however doubtful and have a note of caution.
Adult Education or the continuing education courses have been running for over two decades in Baroda. Initially offered short-term courses for home decoration it was usually targeted at housewives. It was based on a demand from the housewives of higher middle class who often had extra time on their hands and wanted to do something fruitful in their spare time. The various faculties would come forward with courses and the centre would run it on their behalf in the summer. After some time, it was thought that the course could become a para professional course, which would aid the skilled workers and the spouses of professional Interior Designers in assisting them. This sort of course involved the professionals from the field in an active manner.
The architecture department has come up with a proposal for two long term courses and 10 short term courses. The two long-term courses of One year and six month duration have commenced since the third week of July.
There are two important points that distinguish these courses from the professional level Interior Design courses. One is that they are for the mass audience and therefore no aptitude test is conducted prior to admission of the students into the course. These courses are geared towards an appreciation of Interior Design as a professional discipline and appreciate its many facets.
“This was the main idea behind formulating this course for the lay public. People appreciate good music and art so why shouldn’t they become conscious about the spaces they live in? There are many aspects of Design, which are less known to the common man. These courses would definitely broaden their horizons.” Says Prof. Navangul, The Head of the Department for Architecture. “We really appreciate the efforts made by the Adult Education centre towards educating people who are interested in various disciplines. So we took it upon ourselves to formulate the courses, with the help of a visiting faculty member within the Department of Architecture, and are conducting classes in the Faculty of Technology. Along with an artist we have young interior designers who are extremely enthusiastic about teaching this course.”
Ms. Hemaben Patel, the Ex HOD of School of Interior Design at Vallabhvidyanagar feels that, “Such courses fundamentally help individuals to appreciate the spaces and generates an awareness about deign as a whole. It does not, however, mean that they would be able to design and develop spaces as a profesional designer would. But they would definitely begin to appreciate spaces and what makes them interesting and appealing to the human mind. Such courses, in the long run, can definitely create an awareness among the lay public about the art involved in creating spaces. Professionals related to the field of Interior Design spend their entire lives in making dreams come true with their skill and inventiveness”
Some professionals are however doubtful and have a note of caution.
