The New Global Open Day
‘We The New Global’ campaign takes center stage at Aod’s Open Day – aspiring creatives get a taste of world-class design education
The Academy of Design (Aod) is celebrating the success of yet another Open Day – having opened its doors to aspiring creatives and their parents looking to learn more about what Sri Lanka’s leading design university has to offer.
Held this year on Saturday the 17th of June, the halls of the Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT) were abuzz with activity, festivity, and all things design, where visitors were treated to a full day’s schedule packed with tours, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive activities.
The day’s schedule of engaging events kicked off with the inauguration of the university’s exciting new enrollment campaign for 2023: We The New Global. Sahan Wickramarachchi & Anaan Saeed, from AOD’s Motion Graphics & Animation programme introduced attendees to this year’s theme, inspiring all those present on the importance of elevating local craftsmanship and design for the global stage; as well as on the immense potential of the next generation of Sri Lankan designers to not just design, create, and innovate, but also thrive in representation.
With popular DJ Iyre at the decks, departmental exhibitions, vendor pop-ups, video show reels, and a student-produced fashion show showcased the impressive work of the university’s current student body from across all design departments, and fun fixtures like the gaming corner, interactive painting wall, photo booth, and even a globe donut wall brought in an additional enjoyable element to the day.
The clear favorite however, was the “Design Race”- an inter department tag team workshop where prospective students were encouraged to take part. Run by department tutors and students, participants were tasked with fun design challenges through which they were given a taste of all design disciplines – from creating outfits without fabric to constructing furniture with discarded materials, from image making to comic book designing, there was no creative bone left unturned.
Primarily, visitors to the Open Day were able to learn more about AOD’s broad portfolio of design courses, explore its world-class facilities, and scheduled alumni talks and counseling sessions helped quell any concerns. With ready access to faculty, current students, and well-established alumni, prospective students were also allowed an exclusive preview into university life at the country’s pioneering design institution.
A/L graduates can choose from several three-year full-time undergraduate programmes at Aod – all of which are accredited by the globally ranked Northumbria University in the UK. The BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design and BA (Hons) in Fashion Design & Marketing suits those inclined towards the fashion industry (be it onstage or backstage), while the BA (Hons) in Interior Design caters to those aspiring for a future in creating livable and functional spaces. The BA (Hons) Graphics & Visual Communication Design produces visual thinkers and virtual problem solvers, with the BA (Hons) Motion Graphics & Animation Design programme designed to forge successful careers in the film industry.
Ever on the lookout for young design talent, O/L graduates with their minds set on a future in design, can too get a head start on their creative career trajectory, with AOD’s artfully curated 6 - 8 month Design Foundation programme. Here, young and persevering creatives-to-be will not just get an introduction into the various design disciplines, but will also be equipped to develop the skills required for the next step in their design education.
AOD takes pride in being a learning institution that provides so much more than just a design degree. Over the years, the university has forged numerous local and international partnerships that form an ever-growing and evolving community of creatives, providing its students with exclusive opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, attend talks, and showcase their work; all the while fostering creative talent in an environment that builds confidence and encourages innovation and experimentation with design. With a consistent 99% employability rate from graduates, it is increasingly evident that these connections and collaborations serve students well beyond their university years.
As a spearheading force in the industry, AOD has long been leading the way in Sri Lanka's burgeoning design scene by hosting Open Day events that bring together both established creatives and aspiring designers from across the country under one roof. Inclusive and inspiring community-building events such as these offer a space for experimentation, collaboration, and networking, allowing prospective designers also to envision the innovation-centered future they want to create for themselves.
AOD invites all O/L and A/L graduates with a passion for all things creative to learn more about the university’s broad portfolio of design programmes. Enrollments for the BA Design Degree programmes are open for this September intake, for more information please contact AOD on 0775727772, email info@aod.lk or walk in between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday- Colombo Innovation Tower, No 477, R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo www.aod.lk