Jury 2024

Avik has been a part of the automotive industry for over 22 years, working at top companies like Maruti Suzuki, ExxonMobil, Apollo Tyres, Stellantis, and Volkswagen. In 2014, he co-founded “Expereal,” a brand strategy and solutions consultancy. Avik studied at IMD Lausanne and XLRI Jamshedpur and writes for several auto magazines. He advises an automotive forum, an automobile art institution, and is part of a sustainable mobility think-tank called CAPR. Avik’s first book, “52@52,” is a compilation of his essays on automotive policy, brand strategy, and socioeconomics. In his free time, he likes to draw, play football, and listen to music.

As the Chairman & Managing Director of Cotmac Group, Arjun oversees the corporate strategy, sales, and overall performance of both companies. Cotmac Electronics is the largest system integrator for Siemens in India and a leading solutions provider in Plant Intelligence and Industrial Automation, operating in 20 branches across India and international offices. Cotmac Industrial Trading specialises in specialized welding wires and products, representing top brands such as Lincoln Electric and Venus Wires in the Indian market. Arjun holds a bachelor’s degree from Symbiosis International University. He has contributed immensely to the success and growth of both these companies.

With his keen eye for detail and deep understanding of colour science, Harsha Paruchuri leads from the front at Pragati, India’s most premier packaging and printing company. Joining Pragati in 2000, he built up an expertise in digital pre-print and colour management, that enabled Pragati to deliver higher accuracy. As a Director at Pragati, Harsha leverages the latest technologies in packaging and printing to stay at the forefront of innovation, often pioneering their use in India. Combining his design expertise with business acumen, he ensures that Pragati keeps evolving constantly to keep step with the changing times and becomes a global player in packaging and printing.

Jutta excels in designing environments that foster creativity and promote a sense of safety for embracing new perspectives. As a seasoned product and business development consultant, she bridges diverse perspectives and leverages dilemmas as opportunities for growth and learning. Over the course of two decades, Jutta has immersed herself in various roles across industries, start-ups, companies, and government organisations, collaborating with individuals from over 30 countries. Beyond her consulting expertise, Jutta is a passionate educator and mentor. Through her mentorship, she empowers individuals to develop their creative capabilities and embrace innovation as a career-driving force.

Mikko is the Professor and Director of the Institute for Design Innovation at Loughborough University London, UK, and a Visiting Professor at Aalto University, Finland. As a researcher and practitioner passionate about design-driven social and enterprise innovation, the last thirty years has seen extensive work with large and small organisations, start-ups, NGOs, and the public sector in European, Asian, African, and South American countries. As a global design thinker and doer, he engages widely with service design, design for policy, design for business models, ecosystems and entrepreneurship with enterprises, health and education, university-industry collaboration, and humanitarian work.

Sirish started testing cars and bikes straight out of engineering college, and over two decades on — despite a short detour to work for Porsche — firmly believes that automotive journalism is the best job in the world. Testing cars led him to rallying, winning his class in the Raid-de-Himalaya and Desert Storm rally raids. Recognising a gap in enthusiastic writing and evaluation of cars and bikes he launched the Indian edition of EVO magazine. He is known for his insightful reviews along with his expertise and love for all things automotive. You’ll often find him behind the wheel or in the saddle experiencing the adrenaline rush of powerful machines and sharing his adventures with fellow car enthusiasts.

Vijaybahu is an Experience Design, Creativity Automation and Branding professional with expertise in designing Automated Design Systems, UX Strategy Blueprints, Behavioural CX Audits, Interaction & Communication Design Solutions, Product Design, Exhibition Design, Brand DNA analysis, Design MI-Systems, Cognitive Branding, and Marketing Communication Design. Presently leading Jio Platforms Ltd. as AVP – Head of Experience Design, Vijaybahu is also actively engaged with various academic institutions and design events in the country as a visiting faculty, guest speaker, and jury member. He enjoys writing on diverse design issues related to neurodesign, national design policies, design practice, soft design skills, professional design practice and ethnography research methods.

Director of NID, Ahmedabad with its extension campuses in Gandhinagar and Bengaluru, Praveen Nahar has also been a faculty member in Industrial Design and Discipline Lead of Product Design at NID since 2002. He has served on NID’s Senate and Policy Planning Committee for several years, and in various positions at NID as Activity Chairperson and Head of various departments. Praveen has also served as jury member and been part of scientific committees and academic advisory boards.

Minti is an NID graduate with a rich experience in the Indian Television industry in various capacities at major news channels in India. Minti is a multidisciplinary designer with expertise in motion graphic design and has worked on many “Firsts” in communication. She was awarded the BW Business World Future of Design award and now runs her own design company, focusing on storytelling by perceiving a design possibility from different scenarios. Minti also co-curates “The Drawing Room,” offering art and design workshops for all ages and professions.

David Grossman is a designer, design educator and international design community activist. He is a former President of the International Council of Design and is currently the co-director of the TASA-ICoD International Design Education Laboratory in Qingdao, China. David has participated in numerous international design events and has served on many international design juries.

Gerald Kiska is a renowned Austrian industrial designer and the founder of KISKA, a leading international brand and design agency established in 1990. Born from his passion for integrating design with business strategy, KISKA has significantly influenced the world of brand and product design. Today, KISKA is a creative and strategic partner creating and boosting brands in the mobility, consumer tech and sporting goods industries, working for brands like KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles, Adidas, HEAD, Bajaj, Maruti Suzuki, AKG and LAMY. Gerald founded the renowned Industrial Design program at FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Graz. A graduate of the University of Art and Design Linz, he worked for various design studios in Germany and Austria before starting KISKA.

Dr. Sudhir Mehta is a serial entrepreneur, a columnist and the Chairman & Managing Director of Pinnacle Industries, India’s leading automotive products and specialty vehicles company. He is also the Founder of EKA Mobility, a commercial electric vehicle and technology company. He has started and led several successful ventures. His group of companies employs over 3000 people globally. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Depauw University, USA and an MBA from the University of Chicago, USA. He is a Member of the Managing Committee, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) & Advisor of the Nation First Policy Research Centre (NFPRC). He has also served as the Past Chairman of CII Western Region & is the Immediate Past President of MCCIA.

Often referred to as the father of motor journalism in India, Adil Jal Darukhanawala has over 40 years of expertise of the automobile industry. He currently leads Fast Bikes India magazine and holds the distinction of being the first Indian honoured at the Guild of Motoring Awards in the UK for his outstanding contributions to Indian motoring history. He has been involved with motoring and motorsport start-ups that cater to like-minded automobile and motorsport enthusiasts. Since 1987, he has helped build some of the finest automotive properties in the country and continues to do so with the same passion and enthusiasm.

Design educator and graphic designer, Tarun Deep Girdher teaches graphic design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. He has over 22 years of experience in design education and professional design practice. Tarun has served as a juror in several international and national competitions including Poster for Tomorrow, FICCI Design Awards, and Typography Day. He is the founder of the 35 Days of Gurmukhi challenge on Instagram.

Seemant is a seasoned finance expert with over two decades of experience in strategic business planning, capital acquisition, and financial oversight. Skilled in enhancing operational efficiencies, driving profits through cost optimization, and elevating compliance frameworks is his specialisation. He is adept in merging technology with financial acumen to foster business scalability and address complex challenges. He is founder CEO at Mool Innovation Labs, a fintech company leveraging tech to save taxes for individuals, and founder CEO at Attentio, a boutique management consulting firm.

With a strong background in finance and design Pallavi combines the principles of design thinking and management consulting to create strategies and designs for businesses and brand transformations. With over five years of experience in business and design consulting, she provides comprehensive solutions in corporate strategy, branding, communication, and experience design. She has created strategies and designs aimed at driving business and brand growth for a diverse range of clients — from small enterprises to multi-million-dollar corporations. She is also an artist, a sculptor and an award-winning illustrator who loves to craft captivating storybooks for children.

Rajesh Kejriwal, the Founder of Kyoorius, is an avid first-generation entrepreneur, and a long-time champion of creative excellence in India. Rajesh embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with tea and fine paper trading. In 2006 he built Kyoorius, his vision of community building as an extension to the paper business. Kyoorius evolved into a network of influencers far before the term became the buzzword of today. Since then, Kyoorius has shaped Design Yatra into one of India’s largest design conferences that fuels the design movement in the country. Rajesh has recently branched out into feature film production, shortly launching India’s second silent movie – Gandhi Talks.

Mr. Shekhar Golchha is a prominent figure in Nepal’s business domain, respected for his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial insight. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi and a bachelor’s in business administration from Webster University, UK before joining his family business in 1990. Under his leadership, the organization diversified into multiple sectors such as automobile trading, electronics, finance, insurance, education, biotech, and alternative energy. Throughout his career, Mr. Golchha assumed significant leadership roles, including President of the Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association (2013-2015) and President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) from 2020 to 2023.

Anil is a seasoned professional with over 34 years of experience in automotive and industrial design and has made a significant contribution to the automotive design ecosystem of the country. His long career spans stints at Bajaj Auto Ltd., PTC, General Motors and TCS. As designer he has designed the famous Sunny and several other scooters at Bajaj. Under his leadership, GM Studio designed several production and concept vehicles like the Chevrolet Tavera, Spark, Beat, Electric Spark (a concept displayed in 2010 New Delhi Auto Show) and a mini-SUV concept Adra (displayed in 2014 Auto Show). His large body of work includes developing automotive studio infrastructure, personnel and developing several new automotive studio practices in the country.

A gold medallist from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, Nivedita heads her eponymous label, Nivedita Couture, a brand that has designed wardrobes for over 18,000 global influencers. She leads a 200-member team of designers, merchandisers, artisans, and craftsmen. Nivedita, a National Award winner, and founding curator at the World Economic Forum’s – Global Shapers Community and Official designer for Warner Brothers is keen on promoting sustainable solutions within her brand, the fashion industry, and student communities all over India. Her signature is a strong and edgy design language that amalgamates new-age technology with Indian craftsmanship.

Harini is a seasoned research leader, advisory board member and speaker with a global footprint. Her 15+ years of experience spans across 10 industries and 13 countries, working with some of the world’s most renowned brands. An alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Emerson College, Konstfack University and Politechnico Di Milano, her diverse educational background fuels her endless curiosity and ability to thrive. Currently at Meta, Harini is shaping Augmented Reality experiences as a research lead, leveraging her deep understanding of human interaction with intelligent technology to create impactful, durable, and inclusive solutions.

Deepak John Mathew has played a pivotal role in establishing the design department at IIT Hyderabad. He has designed and developed the dual postgraduate programme in Photography Design and has initiated an International Postgraduate Certificate Programme in Photography at the institute in collaboration with University for Creative Arts, Farnham, UK. Deepak has curated several exhibitions at National Institute of Design (NID), contributing to various NID publications over time. Having exhibited his work at many international and national exhibitions, he has authored several papers and written a book called “Principles of Design through Photography”. He is a renowned figure as a panel member, visiting faculty, lecturer, external evaluator, mentor and advisor to several universities and institutes all over the world.

Pooja Misal is the founder of SMEF’s Brick Group of Institutes and BrickETC, an online learning platform. From an early age, she has been actively involved in enriching learning for students in the creative field, with a focus on innovation and excellence. As an educational entrepreneur and thought leader, she aspires to make high-quality education accessible to everyone and nurture unique talents and abilities in students from young ages. She has always aimed to bridge the gap between traditional education and emerging technologies to impart impactful education. Her quest for learning and her extensive qualifications — an MBA, a PhD, and various certifications in education and counselling — equip her to make a significant impact in the industry.

An alumnus of the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, Ar. Sanjay Puri leads the award-winning architectural firm, Sanjay Puri Architects. Over the past three decades, the firm has designed some of the most iconic projects around the world. Sanjay’s designs seamlessly integrate sustainability, centring around the belief that every project should be designed contextually, revolutionising the way spaces are experienced. He is the first Indian architect to serve as jury of the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, Singapore, Berlin, Amsterdam & Lisbon. Sanjay has also been a judge for The Architectural Review Awards UK, Dezeen Awards UK, The Plan Awards Italy, and Inde Awards Australia and has been a speaker at several international and national conventions.

Dr Sanjeev Prashar is a professor at the Indian Institute of Management Raipur, with 32 years of experience in teaching postgraduate management courses, corporate training, and consulting. He holds an MBA and Ph.D. in Management from the University of Kurukshetra, India, and has published 90 research papers in reputable international journals such as the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Journal of Consumer Marketing, and Journal of Business Research. Dr Sanjeev has authored 70 case studies, including some available at Harvard Business Publishing, Ivey Publishing, and Emerald Group Publishing. His current research focuses on shopping behaviour, including impulse buying, online buying, and celebrity endorsement.

Having more than three decades of experience in branding and design, Sudhir Sharma is a reputed brand consultant who has played a pivotal role in shaping household name brands. He is a member of the first India Design Council, constituted by the government of India, and is member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Global Council for Design. Sudhir is a founder and President of the “DesignIndia”, the first online community of professional designers in India. He has served the jury panel of the inaugural Cannes Lions for Design in 2008, and Adfest in Pattya, Thailand. As an educator, he lectures and conducts workshops on innovation and creativity, specialising in brand clarity.