Department of Engineering Design

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Department of Engineering Design

Established in 2006, the Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras is the first of its kind in India. The department aims to develop design professionals with a strong multidisciplinary background and a focus on Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Design, and Robotics. This is the only interdisciplinary department in the country with a very specific focus on form design and functional design, with domain expertise.

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Department of Engineering Design

10

Staff

18

Faculty

288

Postgraduate Students

26

M S Research Scholars

91

PhD Research Scholars

648

Publications

About the Department

Are you looking to design a new product or a more compact version of an existing product or changing the aesthetics of a product? Engineering Design will teach you how to do this.

The Department of Engineering Design was the 16th department established in IIT Madras, with a focus on interdisciplinary teaching and research. The Department has a novel Dual Degree programme in Engineering Design with specialisation in Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Design and Robotics.

The main objective of the department is to develop design professionals with a strong multidisciplinary background and a deep sense of aesthetics with a focus on automotive engineering, biomedical design, design for life, and robotics. Over the years the highly experienced faculty constantly support the students to create benchmarking products.

The department has several state-of-the-art facilities including graphic arts studios and modern laboratories for automotive systems, automotive engines, computer-aided design, rapid prototyping, ergonomics mechatronics, product design, controls and vehicle dynamics. The course is a balanced mix of theory and practicals; and includes business management, economics, foreign language and ethics.

Students get the opportunity to gain industrial experience as interns in companies like Titan, Philips, Siemens, JK Tyres, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra, Caterpillar, ITC, etc. Many students have availed Research internships in renowned research centres and universities CERN, NTU Singapore, Purdue University(USA), Fraunhofer-Gesellschat (Hamburg), etc.

Message From the Head of Department

Welcome to the Department of Engineering Design, one of the most vibrant departments at IIT Madras.

The emerging need for highly qualified and motivated design professionals to spearhead the economic growth of the country through innovative research and development was one of the main reasons for starting the Engineering Design program at IIT Madras in the year 2005. Initially started as a dual degree program with a specialisation in automotive engineering, it was converted to a full-fledged department in 2006. The department now offers two dual degree programs leading to B.Tech. in Engineering design and M.Tech in automotive engineering or biomedical design, with an option for the students to choose an interdisciplinary M.Tech in Robotics. Department of Engineering Design is the only interdisciplinary department in the country with a very specific focus on form design and functional design, with domain expertise.

The curriculum for the 5-year dual degree program is carefully crafted to ensure that the students get a well-rounded education to meet the requirements of the industry. While the focus in the formative years (year 1 to 3) is on fundamentals of mathematics, science and engineering, graphic art, design, and aesthetics, focus shifts to domain specialisation and skill development in the 4th and 5th years. A compulsory industry internship for 6-months makes the ED dual degree program very unique. This internship prepares the students to understand the real-life engineering problems and their solution strategies. In summary, the dual degree program offered by the department provides a comprehensive skill set for the students to develop as well-groomed designers to meet the growing need for design professionals in the industry.

During the last 15 years, ED has produced many highly accomplished designers and entrepreneurs, and many of them are in the leading positions in India and abroad. Apart from the dual degree programs, the department offers MS and Ph.D. programs also. We have a group of highly qualified and committed faculty who engage in cutting edge research in their area of research specialisation. You are welcome to contact me for any further information about the department, academic programs, or research and development activities.

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Asokan Thondiyath

Areas of Research

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