Sri Lanka Design Practice (SDP) by Academy of Design Visual Communications Department

This project is intended to preserve locally-cultivated design approaches and maintain the quality of work produced in Sri Lanka. During the semester break, first year students are taken on field trips across Sri Lanka to introduce them to local artisans, crafting villages and manufacturing facilities.

Credits

Lecturers: Anda Lupascu RGD, Alain Parizeau, Anandh Ramesh

Students: Achini Sepalika, Sathira Rashmika, Dineth Fernando, Ekmini Hasara, Tehani Wapola, Ruqaiya Sabbir, Malesha Ratnadurai, Tahiri Perera, Aloke Perera, Ilham Reyaz, Ali Imran, Abaan Latheef, Joanne Fernando, Kiran Irugalbandara

This project is intended to preserve locally-cultivated design approaches and maintain the quality of work produced in Sri Lanka. During the semester break, first year students are taken on field trips across Sri Lanka to introduce them to local artisans, crafting villages and manufacturing facilities. The students then produce a final project with a print and a motion graphic using the documented material. SDP’s first group project, a set of six postcards using the photos taken during the field trips, collated into a sleeve that introduces the region and the craft, was produced in 2017. The project has been displayed at various AOD events, student work exhibitions, in students’ portfolios and is pending publication.

Judge's Pick

So often, a designer or team of designers steps into a project with another culture and takes the attitude: “we know better and will solve your problems.” This colonial approach leads to work that treats a culture like a zoo animal, “look at how interesting this culture is...” This project avoids this by integrating humans, cultural narratives, aesthetic forms and beliefs. The aim of the project is lofty, critical and, as shown here, possible. The work is smart and beautiful, celebratory and inviting. Bravo!

— Sean Adams, Chair of the Undergraduate and Graduate Graphic Design Program at Artcenter