A.G. Rao

A. G. Rao (born 1945) is an Indian industrial designer, design educator and researcher. He was associated with the Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at The INDIAN Institute of Technology Bombay, where he taught industrial design for several decades.[1] His work has included product design, design education, creativity, design philosophy, research in design education and bamboo craft. [2]

Early life and education

Rao studied mechanical engineering before pursuing postgraduate studies in product design at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. He was part of the first batch of product designers at NID.

In 1980, Rao spent nine months in the United States under a UNESCO fellowship, studying creativity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other institutions.

Career

Rao joined the Industrial Design Centre at IIT Bombay, where he became a faculty member and taught design for several decades. He developed and taught courses in basic design, product design, creativity and design philosophy. He also served as Head of IDC during 1987–1990.

During his professional career, Rao designed products for Indian industries and was involved in the design of electronic voting machines [3] in collaboration with other designers at IDC.

Bamboo craft and design research

Rao has worked extensively on bamboo craft and rural design. He initiated the Bambu Studio at IDC, which explored the relationship between industrial design, bamboo craft, tools, tribal and rural development.[4]

He also led a project involving the development of tools, technologies and finishes for bamboo craft. The project resulted in a toolkit and small machines intended for use in bamboo production and craft activities. The project is named UNDP Project Report on Tools, Small Technologies and Finishes.[4]

Design education and philosophy

Rao's areas of interest include design pedagogy, creativity, design philosophy, craft, education and experiential learning. His work has also explored the relationship between design practice, local innovation and traditional craft. [2]

References

[1] IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, A. G. Rao — Faculty Profile. IDC School of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Available at: https://www.idc.iitb.ac.in/people/faculty/rao-g

[2]Professor Ananthapuram Gopinath Rao, Design Guru https://www.designindia.net/thoughts/people/teachers/prof_ananthapuram_gopinath_rao

[3] Meet the team members who conceptualised the EVM https://www.theweek.in/theweek/current/2024/03/30/meet-the-team-members-who-conceptualised-the-electronic-voting-machine.html

[4]UNDP Project Report on Tools, Small Technologies and Finishes https://nerbambooportal.necbdc.in/equipmentfacilitytools/