Institute of Design, Nirma University was honored to host Ms. Ashwini Deshpande, a distinguished graduate of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and co-founder of Elephant Design, India’s largest independent integrated design consultancy, during its 8th Orientation Programme. Ms. Deshpande, who leads the Branding & Communication Design team at Elephant Design, shared her invaluable insights and professional experiences with students and faculty members.
Under Ms. Deshpande’s leadership, Elephant Design has achieved remarkable acclaim, securing numerous prestigious awards, including the Global ReBrand 100 (USA), WorldStar (Germany), Lexus Design Awards, ADesign (Italy), and the Best of the Best at CII Design Excellence. Her expertise extends beyond her consultancy role; she has served as a jury member for renowned platforms such as Cannes Lions (France), the London International Awards, and the D&AD Awards in the UK.
Ms. Deshpande’s contributions to the design field also include her involvement with the Rockefeller Foundation for the Global Social Impact workshop and the Danish Design Association for the Copenhagen Co-creation Manifesto. She is a founding member of the Association of Designers of India and The Collective, dedicated to fostering safe workplaces in India. Furthermore, she mentors start-ups through the “Nurture” initiative of TiE and serves on the Governing Council of the Indus Entrepreneurs platform.
In her engaging talk titled “My Journey as a Designer”, Ms. Deshpande shared her professional journey and discussed her experiences and insights in communication design. Her address highlighted the critical importance of innovation and creativity in the design industry, offering a wealth of inspiration and valuable lessons on the intersection of design, leadership, and societal impact.