CEPT University

Head of Research, Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre(DICRC)

Other Affiliations: Birmingham City University, Visual Communication with Graphic Design
CEPT University, Design Innovation & Craft Resource Centre (DICRC)

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Design

About

Jay Thakkar is an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Design, a member of SID Research Cell and Research Head of Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) at CEPT University, in Ahmedabad, India. He is a professional consultant in Visual Communication and Traditional Building Practices and Crafts. He is also a Hon. Secretary of IIID (Institute of Indian Interior Designer) Ahmedabad Regional Chapter.

He has a Masters in Visual Communication from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), United Kingdom (2004) and a Diploma in Interior Design from the School of Interior Design, CEPT University (2000). He received gold medals from the School of Interior Design, CEPT University and the Gujarat Institute for Civil Engineers and Architects (GICEA).

Jay Thakkar is an author and designer of two books 1. “Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh” (CEPT, 2008) and 2. “Naqsh: The Art of Wood Carving of Traditional Houses of Gujarat – Focus on Ornamentation” (CEPT, 2004) He was the principal fieldwork researcher and project director for Matra, where more than 50 students, researchers, designers, illustrator were involved in making of this book. Matra won a Critic’s Choice Award – Best Written Work on Architecture 2009. This national level award was presented by ArchiDesign Awards for Excellence in Architecture and Infrastructure, organized by Foundation of Architecture and Environmental Awareness. His book Naqsh has been chosen by Government of Gujarat for ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ Celebrations, where the book will be given as a regal souvenir to chief dignitaries.

Jay Thakkar is one of the principal coordinator for a collaborative project – Indigenous Building Practices of Himachal Pradesh, India – of CEPT University, India and University of Melbourne, Australia. He organized a Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop at DICRC in collaboration with national and international institute where more than 60 designers and traditional bamboo artisans from Kotwalia Community of Dang participated to generate 24 designed products. He has worked on design projects in India and Britain, including the internationally reputed Indo-French project for the revitalization of the walled city of Ahmedabad. He is passionate about Design Education, Visual Communication, Vernacular and Traditional Architecture, Craft Development and Indigenous Building Systems.

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