Design Isn't Taught.
It's Discovered.
We don't teach you to follow templates. We teach you to question them - to design experiences that shape culture, leverage technology, and center human needs.
A Design School Built on
First Principles of Learning
Center for Design Studies (CDS) follows a pedagogy inspired by Sri Aurobindo's philosophy of education - where learning is discovered, not delivered.
Nothing Can Be Taught
CDS creates environments where teachers guide exploration instead of transferring information.
The Mind Grows in Its Own Way
Learners choose paths aligned with their curiosity, inclination, and strengths.
From the Near to the Far
Every project builds upon what the learner already knows - grounding innovation in understanding.
Four Distinct Design Worlds
Each program at CDS functions as an independent design universe - grounded in first-principle thinking and shaped through real-world practice.
Communication Design
A professional practice-led program focused on branding, publication, typography and culturally rooted communication systems - where thinking precedes styling.
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Experiential Graphic Design
India's first structured undergraduate pathway in designing spatial narratives and immersive brand environments - where graphics move beyond surfaces.
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User Experience Design
A systems-oriented design education that goes beyond screens - shaping products, services and human processes through research and structured thinking.
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Motion Arts & Gaming
A narrative-driven program integrating motion design, world-building and generative AI workflows - preparing creators for cinematic and interactive futures.
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Guided by an International Board of Advisors
CDS is supported by globally respected design leaders who bring international perspective, academic depth and strategic direction into our evolving design ecosystem.
Prof Jorge Frascara
Professor Emeritus and former Chairman, Art & Design, University of AlbertaHe has been advisor to the International Standards Organization (ISO), the Canadian Standards Association and the Canadian Standards Council on graphic symbols for public information. He has been a guest lecturer in 26 countries and has received honours from eight countries for his socially-oriented practice and promotion of communication design.
Prof Jesvin Yeo
Associate Professor at the School of Art, Media and Design, NTU, SingaporeProf Jesvin's research interests are in Cultural Value, Human Experience and Behaviour, and their applications in Cultural Heritage, Education and Wellbeing. Her cultural-related creative works have been exhibited internationally, including the Basel School of Design, Berlin Communication Museum, Center Pompidou Shanghai (West Bund Museum), Taiwan Design Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
Prof Ina Conradi
Associate Professor at the School of Art, Media and Design at NTU, SingaporeProf Conradi is an award-winning new media artist. Her works uniquely combine digital painting and experimental S3D animation for co-immersive spaces, installations, and media architecture. Her animated film Chrysalis was bestowed prestigious 2018 Lumiere Award by Advanced Imaging Society (AIS) Hollywood and 2017 Lumiere Award on behalf of Stereopsia Belgium, AIS and VR Society's EMEA chapter (Europe).
Prof Mark Chavez
Award Winner Animator, Film-maker and TeacherAn Award Winner Animator, Film-maker and Teacher, with numerous Awards including for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Oscar nominated for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, won a BAFTA Film Award for Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects, and numerous other awards.
Prof Caspar Schwabe
Professor at Kobe Design University, Kobe, JapanCreative explorer of Geometric Art and 3D Space; a Design Science Researcher, an Art/Science Editor, and world's leading Geometric Artist. Known for his dynamic performances introducing geometric models developed by himself. Author of several books on Geometric Art, including Geometric Art in association with Atsuhiko Ashiguro, and designed by Kohei Sugiura.
How Learning Actually Happens at CDS
Inspired by Sri Aurobindo's philosophy of education, our classrooms are designed to cultivate thinking minds - not obedient followers.
At CDS, learning is not delivered. It is nurtured.
- Faculty function as mentors, not information dispensers.
- Questions precede explanations - always.
- Assessment values thinking processes, not imitation.
- Each student follows a deliberately individual learning path.
Curiosity Before Curriculum
Projects and problems are introduced before theory. Curiosity opens the door - content follows.
Individual Learning Trajectories
Strengths are developed, not averaged out. Guidance adapts to the learner - not the other way around.
Understanding Before Originality
Deep research and first-principle thinking form the foundation of meaningful creative work.
Where Learning Meets Industry
The CDS Creative Studio functions as a live practice lab - where students collaborate on real briefs, experiment with production tools, and work within structured creative pipelines.
- Live Client Projects
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Mentored Production Cycles
- Portfolio-Driven Outcomes
Work That Reflects Depth & Process
A curated selection of student projects developed through research, iteration and studio-led practice.
A Legacy Built Through Disciplined Expansion
From its inception in 1988 to the establishment of CDS in 2021, the Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes has evolved into a multidisciplinary academic ecosystem grounded in excellence.
Establishment of Sri Aurobindo School, Bhopal - founded to embody the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Launch of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, strengthening commitment to healthcare education.
Establishment of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Dentistry, expanding into specialized clinical disciplines.
Expansion into multidisciplinary higher education - Technology, Pharmacy, and Management Institutes.
Inception of Center for Design Studies (CDS), introducing a focused academic model for contemporary design education.
In a remarkably short span, Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes (SAGI) established itself as a trusted academic ecosystem - synonymous with excellence across diverse fields of study.
Leadership & Governance
Mr. Kinshuk Trivedi
Vice President - Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes (SAGI)A Management Graduate from IMT Ghaziabad and an Engineer from SGSITS Indore, he transitioned into education leadership and social entrepreneurship after 2007.
Mrs. Chani Trivedi
Director - Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes (SAGI)A seasoned management professional with over 15 years of experience in education management and human resources, MBA from Christ University, Bangalore.
Prof. Kirti Trivedi
Academic Mentor - Center for Design Studies (CDS)One of India's most respected design educators, founder of India's first Master of Design program in Visual Communication at IDC, IIT Bombay.
A Space Designed for Creative Immersion
CDS operates within a structured academic campus environment - integrating studios, labs and collaborative zones into a unified creative ecosystem.
Dedicated Design Studios
Large-format studio environments structured for critique sessions, project development, model-making and collaborative design practice.
Production & Digital Labs
Equipped digital workstations, motion labs and technical infrastructure supporting visual communication, UX systems and interactive design workflows.
Collaborative Learning Spaces
Open discussion zones, seminar rooms and interdisciplinary spaces designed to encourage cross-program dialogue and peer learning.
Begin Your Journey Into Structured Creative Practice
Join a learning environment built on depth, discipline and industry integration - where design is treated as a serious pursuit.