World University of Design, located in Sonipat, Haryana, has emerged as a prominent institution for design education. The university, known for offering a broad spectrum of design disciplines—from fashion design to architecture and transportation design—is experiencing increasing demand for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
The institution has seen notable interest in its Bachelor’s in Design (B.Des) and Master’s in Design (M.Des) courses, especially in Transportation Design, a field with vast potential within the automotive industry. These programs are designed to provide extensive practical experience, combining in-depth classroom instruction with hands-on training.
The four-year B.Des in Transportation Design equips students with knowledge in automotive design, consumer behavior, aerodynamics, conceptualization, and rendering. The two-year M.Des program takes a deeper approach, focusing on market research and providing students with internship opportunities within the industry. Additionally, the university offers a one-year Diploma in Professional Automotive Modelling and courses in UX and Digital Product Design, addressing the growing intersection of technology and automotive design.
Dr Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design, shared that prior to the university’s establishment in 2017, India lacked a comprehensive design school. The university was envisioned as a creative hub that would bring together various design disciplines, including transportation design, under one roof.
The university offers over 30 programs across fields such as fashion, textile, interior design, graphic design, animation, and visual arts. With a faculty of 70 and over 1,200 students, it has quickly gained recognition. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the growing role of Indian designers in modern automotive products, particularly those aimed at the Indian market.
“Aesthetics drive the design of vehicles, and we focus on teaching students the intricacies of shape, color, aerodynamics, and ergonomics. Our students gain skills in clay and 3D modeling, which are highly valued in the automotive sector,” Gupta explained. Although the university is known for its diversity, with a 60 percent female enrollment and students from 22 states, transportation design remains more male-dominated.
Each year, 40 students are admitted to both the B.Des and M.Des programs in Transportation Design. The curriculum blends theoretical learning with practical experience, including sessions in design studios equipped with state-of-the-art tools like Autodesk Alias and Rhino 3D, widely used in the automotive industry. The university also introduces students to cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for design visualization.
To ensure students are ready for future advancements, the university opened an “AI Hub” in 2019, aimed at familiarizing students with artificial intelligence and its potential in design. “We want our students to embrace AI, using it to enhance their creative ideas,” Dr. Gupta stated.
As part of their training, students create mood boards and conduct market research to guide their design process. They focus on key design elements, including aesthetics, functionality, space, and ergonomics. 3D and clay modeling provide valuable insights into design evaluation, particularly for components that require fine details.
The university fosters strong industry connections, with students interning at leading automotive companies like Mahindra & Mahindra and Escorts. These internships offer real-world projects related to vehicle design, including hydrogen fuel-cell cars, e-three-wheelers, and helmets. Additionally, students participate in various design competitions and collaborate with electric vehicle startups.
Students like Akshat Agrawal, a fifth-semester B.Des student, are gaining invaluable exposure to the automotive design industry. “The Transportation Design course has given me deep insight into how the industry works. Although automotive design is still evolving in India, people are increasingly open about their design preferences,” Agrawal noted.
“We aim to equip students with the skills and mindset to thrive in the industry. Our goal is to foster creativity, innovation, and a strong sense of design,” Dr Gupta concluded.
World University of Design‘s partnerships with industry players such as Tigris Design and Exponiq Engineering Services provide further opportunities for students to engage in real-world projects. Many students also venture into entrepreneurship, starting their own design studios in a rapidly growing sector.
