Kochi, Feb 11: Kochi has “great potential” to become India’s design hub and its talent in the sector needs to be harnessed wisely, World Design Organization (WDO) President Dr. Thomas Garvey, who is on his debut visit to Kerala. During his visit to the Insight Centre for Design Technology and Creative Arts, Dr Garvey exchanged ideas with students and professionals in Kerala’s design sector.
“It was very exciting. The design sector here has great ideas and informative systems,” he noted, promising “all the support” of the Montreal-based WDO to students, professionals and the design community through institutions such as the Insight Centre. Pointing out that Kochi has “a lot of design talent” compared to big cities, Dr Garvey said their wise utilization can make Kochi become the design hub of the country. “There is every opportunity for global creative companies to invest and expand their operations in this state,” he added.
Terming cities such as Kochi as “hidden gems” in the design world, Dr Garvey said the 1957-founded WDO as a UN-affiliate apex organization for design, has been trying to tap the potential of such cities. “We will provide all kinds of support to the initiatives to anyone coming forward with clear preparations,” he said. Those who interacted with Dr Garvey included students, teachers from various design schools in the state, start-up founders in the design sector, professional designers and startups in Maker Village.
Also, present were Insight Centre for Design, Technology and Creative Arts Chairman Shri. Rahul R IRS (Rtd) and Kerala State Institute of Design, Principal Shri. Manoj Kini.