Place Order: Conversation with Accomplished Product Designer A. Balasubramaniam Awarded for His Excellent Work
A Design Pioneer in India: A Profile of A Balasubramaniam
A Balasubramaniam, a 64-year-old product designer, has left an indelible mark on the Indian design industry. With a career spanning over four decades, he is renowned for his innovative designs and commitment to making the world a better place.
The late 1980s saw the birth of one of Balasubramaniam's most iconic creations - the Eveready flashlight. This humble yet groundbreaking product, designed with functionality, frugality, aesthetics, and sustainability in mind, remains a testament to his design philosophy. The flashlight's unique features, such as a glowing rim and switch, made it not only practical but also appealing. It was designed specifically for rural India, offering durability, affordability, and a high-quality look. Over 15 years, lakhs of these flashlights were sold, with each one costing the company only ₹7 to make and retailing for ₹35.
Balasubramaniam's design portfolio extends beyond lighting solutions. He has shaped hundreds of products across various sectors, including torches, trucks, hospital trolleys, pedestal fans, headphones, refrigerators, table lamps, and more. His work with companies such as Hero, Eveready, Usha, Singer, Eicher, and various state crafts councils, handicraft enterprises, and NGO Oxfam, reflects his versatility and commitment to improving everyday life.
A Balasubramaniam's designs are not just about function and form. He emphasises the importance of empathy, creativity, and ethics in design. He believes that designers should use their power responsibly and think critically to avoid creating problems for others. This ethical approach is reflected in his teaching career at the National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
In 2000, Balasubramaniam founded the Institute of Design at JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) in Jaipur. His aim was to nurture the next generation of designers who would carry on his legacy of making a positive impact on the world. He has also been instrumental in shaping the freelance consulting landscape in the 1980s, making it a viable approach for companies to collaborate with designers.
Despite his numerous accolades, including the prestigious Hills Millennium Award, Balasubramaniam remains humble and idealistic about his profession. He believes that design has the power to make a difference in the world and is committed to using this power responsibly.
While there is no publicly available information about Balasubramaniam's role in establishing a national design ministry in India, his advocacy for improved product design and support for sectors like the handicraft industry is well documented. He continues to be a strong voice for design excellence in India and beyond.
In conclusion, A Balasubramaniam is a highly respected and internationally awarded Indian designer, with a career marked by innovation, ethical design, and a commitment to making the world a better place. His impact on the Indian design industry is significant, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of designers.
- A Balasubramaniam, recognized for his work in education-and-self-development institutions like the National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and ethics in design.
- Balasubramaniam's designs, extending to various sectors such as technology, entertainment, and health through products like torches, trucks, and hospital trolleys, showcase his versatility in improving everyday life.
- In India, Balasubramaniam's advocacy for better product design and support for sectors like the handicraft industry reflects his influence on national policies, even though there is no public information about his role in establishing a national design ministry.
- The humble yet groundbreaking Eveready flashlight, designed with functionality, frugality, aesthetics, and sustainability in mind, showcases Balasubramaniam's commitment to technology and his dedication to catering to diverse needs, including rural India.
- As a designer, A Balasubramaniam has used his power responsibly, ensuring that his creations, whether they are in technology, education, or entertainment, contribute to societal growth and cultural enrichment, just as cricket does in India.
