Rahul Bhattacharya is an educationist, art historian, and experience designer
currently anchoring and seeding a Communication Design Department as an Adjunct
Faculty at Alliance University Bengaluru. Bhattacharya's career spans over two
decades, during which he has held various academic positions, including the
Head of the Department of MDes Integrated Programme and Assistant Director of the
Department of Communication Design at the Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID).
His leadership at UID has seen him design courses, curate workshops and coordinate
significant events like the Ahmedabad Design Week. Previously he was an Associate
Professor at the School of Visual Arts, World University of Design, where he taught
subjects such as Art History, Aesthetics, and Visual Communication. His work is
characterised by a commitment to interdisciplinary design and social impact, with an
active passion for curriculum development and mentoring and developing
intellectual property rights.
In addition to his academic roles, Bhattacharya has been instrumental in various
public art initiatives. He co-founded the Kolkata International Performance Art
Festival, which has become a vital platform for dialogue in South Asia. He was a key
figure in the NINE Schools of Art collective, focusing on workshop-based teaching
methods. His curatorial practice extends to community interventions and large-scale
public art projects, reflecting his dedication to making art accessible and relevant
to diverse audiences.
A prolific writer, Bhattacharya has contributed extensively to discussions on
contemporary Indian art and interdisciplinary design. He has served as Managing
Editor of Art & Deal Magazine, where he played a crucial role in repositioning the
publication within the art community. His academic publications and presentations
reflect a deep engagement with the evolving landscape of art and design in India.
His design practice includes consulting for small businesses on brand outreach and
client experience enhancement, with a particular focus on integrating AI into design
processes. His workshops on design thinking, storytelling, and art history
demonstrate his holistic approach to education and practice, emphasizing the
importance of context in design.
Currently, Bhattacharya is exploring alternative training methods for language
models and the implications of AI on design practice, driven by his commitment to
social and ecological sustainability. As a co-founder of dotai, he aims to customize
AI user experiences for the Indian context, further bridging the gap between
technology and human-centred design.
