In this tech-driven world, our natural human capabilities will be augmented by computational systems that help us think, robotic systems that help us create, and a digital nervous system that connects us to the world far beyond our natural faculties. In society 5.0, the possibilities open to humans will expand with driverless cars and robots. It will be a human-centred world without the trammels of poverty, illiteracy, and ill health.
Humans and robots will continue to complement each other. Humans will be used for what they are good at – awareness, perception, and decision-making; robots for their capacity to perform repetitive tasks with a higher degree of precision and accuracy.
The applications seem limitless for the future of design. With the expansion of various sectors such as manufacturing, smart applications, experiential products, tech fashion, and retail space, design will be an integral part in revolutionizing consumer behaviour and the way industries are doing business.
Yet, the things that will potentially become valuable in the future are the things that cannot be digitized or automated – traits such as creativity and empathy that are human-only. While digital technology will continue to be a dominant force, innovation will primarily be driven by empathy.
At the UPES School of Design, therefore, creativity and technology go hand-in-hand. We have state-of-the-art infrastructure to support technology-enabled learning: An AR/VR lab, film and media lab, Mac lab, 3D-printing, and laser-cutting facilities, to name a few. Our curriculum focuses on speculative skills or future casting, as well as knowledge and skill-building on the technologies of the future. Courses such as AI for Designers, Robotics, Smart Fashion, Immersive Media Design, and Wearables are essential components of the students’ journey. Our vision is to nurture future leaders, catalysts for change, and designers who can build a better future by co-influencing creativity and technology.
