The School of Design (SOD) hosted a two-day intensive masterclass titled “From Narrative to Form: Material Intelligence in Contemporary Design Practice,” led by Mr Aanand, founder and designer at Element & Co. The programme was thoughtfully designed to immerse Foundation, Product Design and Space Design students in advanced observational thinking, material intelligence and experiential design.

Bridging the gap between foundational design education and professional practice, the masterclass focused on how design concepts evolve into meaningful, lived experiences across objects and spaces. Through a carefully curated structure, the sessions integrated theory, critical analysis, hands-on exercises and live critiques, encouraging students to engage deeply with the design process.

Participants were guided to explore design as a narrative-driven discipline, where materials, form and context come together to shape user experience. The interactive format fostered critical inquiry, creative experimentation and reflective learning, enabling students to refine their approach to contemporary design practice.

The masterclass proved to be an enriching experience, equipping students with valuable insights into the role of material intelligence in crafting thoughtful, impactful design solutions.