Designation: Dean – School of Design

Teaching Experience: 11+ Years

Industry Experience: 24 Years

Brief Profile: Prof Aparna Rahul Mhetras, an Environmental architect and IGBC accredited faculty, brings 23 years of professional and 11 years of teaching experience. She earned her B.Arch from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and her M.Arch in 2015 from Pune University. A Project Architect for award-winning projects like Ruby Hall Clinic, she co-manages Maya Design Studio in Pune. A dedicated researcher in Environmental Psychology and the History of Architecture, she has presented papers at conferences and is a research scholar at Nirma University, Ahmedabad. She is known for her effective teaching, administration, and research skills, building strong connections with her students.

Research Publications:

(1) Written & Published research paper titled “Land and Development and Management Case Study of Pune City” 2019 IJMTE, Volume 8.
(2) Written & Published research paper titled Sustainability through climate responsive design for housing, 2017 -JIIA, Volume 82, Issue 5
(3) Paper Presentation & Publication at National Conference (NCETATA) at DYPCOA, Akurdi in February 2016 on the topic “Architectural Interventions in Energy Conservation with Special Emphasis on Housing”
(4) Paper Presentation at National TERI GRIHA Summit November 2014 held at Nasik on the topic “Energy Conservation Methods Implemented by Housing Societies in Pune for Reduction in Electricity Bills –A Case Study

Key Publications:

DOI: 10.17950/RCRA.8.S6.2020.1-407
In book: Regional Conference on Research in Architecture (in association with MASA)

External Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ar-aparna-rahul-mhetras-14301891/

Designation : Associate Professor

Teaching Experience : 28 years

Industry Experience : 6 years

Profile : Prof Alex Velasco is an experienced product design instructor with over 20 years of experience. He imparts knowledge on new product development and design processes to both students and professionals.He was a program director at various educational institutions in the UK, Turkey, India, and Georgia. A pioneer in adopting the design thinking process, he passionately explores the application of creativity techniques, design methods, and innovation processes to develop new products, services, and systems.

Research Publication : 2008. The Effectiveness of a Multimedia DVD for Teaching Professional Rendering. Techniques to Design Students. End-of-project report. 2007. Assessing the Emerging Industrial Design Practitioner. DesignEd 2008, Hong Kong. 2001. The Overlook2008. A Thick Industrial Design Studio Curriculum. Paper presented at 24th National Conference on the Beginning Design Student, Atlanta, Georgia. ed Residents of the City. 1st International Symposium for Street Furniture, Istanbul. 1997. Industrial Design and Future Fantasy. Design History Society, Middlesex University, London. 1997. Industrial Design and Technological Futurism. Design History Society, Middlesex University, London. 1996. Design Ideologies and Developing Countries. Design Conference, Middle East Technical University, Ankara.

Key Publications : 2023. Design Thinking for Schools educational website. www.designthinkingforschools.com.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjvelasco/

Designation : Associate Professor

Teaching Experience : 3 years

Industry Experience : 8 years

Profile :

Prof Satyajit Kulkarni is an experienced  Senior 3D Modeler in the automotive industry. He holds a Masters in Industrial Design from DSK International School of Design. With 8 years experience  in automotive design and over 3 years in academics, he has worked with prestigious clients, including Renault, Citroen, Maruti Suzuki, Ashok Leyland, and Mahindra. His hands-on experience, passion for design, and successful student placements in esteemed companies make him an ideal candidate for imparting industry-relevant knowledge, ensuring students learn the latest techniques aligned with market requirements.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyajitkulkarni479/

Designation: Associate Professor

Teaching Experience: N/A

Industry Experience: N/A

Profile: Pritam Mandavkar is an Architect by undergraduate studies turned into Masters of Design with over 15 years of rich experience in steering multidisciplinary design projects. Holding a Master’s in Design, he brings a refined ability to navigate complex collaborations across diverse teams and stakeholders. His extensive background in the creative industry empowers him to elevate projects with strategic insight, aesthetic sensitivity, and a deep understanding of design-driven innovation.

LinkedIn: N/A

Designation: Associate professor

Teaching Experience: 15 years

Industry Experience: 8 years

Profile : Prof. Rupesh Anand Gajbhiye is a seasoned design educator, researcher, and communication designer with over 24 years of combined experience in the design industry and academia. Currently serving as the Head of Department and Associate Professor at the School of Design, Ajeenkya D Y Patil University (ADYPU), Pune, he specializes in Communication Design, Typography, Interaction Design, and Design Research. His interdisciplinary approach bridges the domains of traditional design, digital media, and socio-cultural narratives.

With a rich academic and professional trajectory, Prof. Gajbhiye has been instrumental in shaping innovative design curricula at prominent institutions like MIT Institute of Design, Avantika University, and MIT School of Design (MIT AOE), where he also served in leadership roles. His teaching portfolio includes foundational and advanced courses such as Typography, Branding, Publication Design, Packaging, Social Communication, Graphic Composition, Photography, and Research-based Design Projects.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-rupesh-gajbhiye-976344121/

Research Publication:

1. Design Ideation, Creativity and Synthesis Using Experimental Typography” (Karnavati Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2024) – exploring cognitive strategies in typographic innovation using natural inspiration
2. Integrating Evidence and Innovation: Enhancing Typography Education for the Digital Age” (2024) – advocating for the integration of calligraphy and digital tools in typography pedagogy to build students’ visual vocabulary and research capacity

Key Publications:

Visual Arts in the Digital Age: Redefining Creativity and Expression” – co-authored book chapter examining how artists navigate new paradigms of digital expression through AI, virtual platforms, and hybrid practices

Reimagining Cultural Narratives: The Intersection of Literature and Society” – an insightful reflection on how literature shapes and critiques cultural values, drawing parallels with visual storytelling

She is a Digital Architect and Interior designer with an experience of 25 years. She is a strong-willed, committed, and energetic individual. She pursued her B.Arch in 1999 from MIET college and M.Arch from BNCA, Pune. She has been associated with D Y Patil School of Architecture as Associate Professor for the past 9 years and won accolades for understanding and working closely with the students and has been guide to more than 50 thesis students

On the industrial front she has managed residential, hospital and interior projects. She is an eager learner, and her subjects of interest are Building construction and Research.

A Gold Medalist in Master’s degree in Visual Arts with specialization in Visualization and Graphic Design, the faculty brings a strong academic foundation combined with practical industry insight. With 4.5 years of academic experience and 1 year of professional industry experience, they actively bridge conceptual design thinking with real-world application.

She have delivered guest lectures at various universities, engaging students through interdisciplinary perspectives on visual communication, design processes, and contemporary practices. Her teaching approach emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and visual storytelling, preparing students for both academic excellence and professional practice.

Architect and UX Designer based in Pune, with professional experience across UX for EdTech, UX education, architectural practice, interior design, & heritage conservation. Currently serving as a full-time Design Faculty at ADYPU, with prior academic experience with ImaginXP and collaborations with multiple universities across India.

I am a UX/UI and Graphic Design professional with a few years of industry experience and a strong passion for design education. I hold a B.Des in Graphic Design and have completed my M.Des in UI UX Design. My work focuses on understanding users, simplifying complex problems, and creating meaningful digital experiences through research, interaction design, prototyping, and design systems. As a faculty member, I find it fun to interact with and enjoy working with young minds, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning. I believe in being an approachable mentor who supports students in exploring ideas, asking questions, and growing confidently as designers while bridging real-world industry practices with the classroom.

BA

I am a multidisciplinary Designer and Educator specializing in user research, service design, and strategic design. An alumnus of MIT Institute of Design, Loni, I hold a Master’s degree in Design Management. With experience across academia and industry, I enjoy mentoring young designers and bringing real-world insights into the classroom. Curious by nature, I have a keen interest in learning about cultures, languages, and human behaviour. My design philosophy is guided by the belief: Design led by people, curiosity, and intent.

LinkedIn Profile – www.linkedin.com/in/charu-sharma-52a409182

Vaibhav Sathawane is an Industrial designer and design researcher with over 8 years of experience spanning industrial design, CAD, and new product development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from SGBAU Amravati University (MH), and a Master’s in Design (M.Des) from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, India.

His professional work includes designing consumer electronics products for leading brands such as Bajaj Electricals, Nex, and Morphy Richards. Prior to this, he worked with Hamilton Housewares, Mumbai, where he contributed to product development for the Milton and Treo houseware and kitchen product lines.

Alongside his industry practice, Vaibhav has been actively engaged in design education since 2017, serving as a visiting faculty member at multiple design institutions in the Product Design and Lifestyle Accessory Design departments.

Guided by a design with empathy approach, he focuses on crafting products that connect meaningfully with users. Hands-on by nature and driven by curiosity, he continually pushes boundaries going the extra mile to create purposeful, human-centered, and impact-driven designs.

Designation: Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience: N/A

Industry Experience: 7yrs

Profile : I am a NID graduate with specialization in Transportation and Automobile Design, with a diverse work experience ranging in a vast spread of fields, including automotive, defence, medical devices and industrial equipment. I have a cumulative experience of 7 years with entrepreneurial experience in setting up my own defence mobility startup.

LinkedIn: N/A

Designation: Associate Professor

Teaching Experience: 7 years

Industry Experience: N/A

Profile : He is a Transportation Designer and a Concept artist with 7 years of experience. Cool cars, cool characters and futuristic sci-fi concepts are his morning cup of tea.

LinkedIn: N/A

Designation: Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience: N/A

Industry Experience: N/A

Profile : N/A

LinkedIn: N/A

Designation: Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience: N/A

Industry Experience: N/A

Profile: I am an academic and retail professional with over 14 years of dynamic experience in the fields of fashion education, visual merchandising, and retail operations. I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to fashion pedagogy, having a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design from SOFT(Pune) and a Master’s Degree in Fashion Management from NIFT(Hyderabad) helped me build a strong foundation for myself.

At Lifestyle International and Lee Cooper I was a part of the Merchandising team, this experience helped me gain a complete understanding of the business of Fashion Retail.

My time at Shopper Stop, Pantaloons and Era(Cyprus) helped me explore the more creative side of retailing, being a part of the Visual Merchandising team.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in bridging industry practices with academic insights to foster holistic learning experiences for undergraduate design students.

I have been a part of ADYPU SOD since August 2024, working as an Assistant Professor in Fashion Design Department. I offer courses such as Visual Merchandising, Fashion Business and Retail Merchandising, Fashion Colloquium.

LinkedIn: N/A

Designation: Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience: 2 years

Industry Experience: 4+ years

Profile : Prof Mashaal Mahasoum, a distinguished alumnus of our institute, holds a degree in Automobile Engineering and a masters in Engineering Product Design. As a Project Scientist, he spearheaded the National Mission project under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India at IDC IIT Bombay. With a rich background spanning Electric Vehicles, Food Machinery, Medical Equipment, and beyond, Mashaal has demonstrated his adeptness in crafting innovative solutions and fostering collaboration across varied industries. He is dedicated to seamlessly integrating user experience into tangible industrial products, emphasizing his commitment to enhancing user satisfaction.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashaal-mahasoum-b869a4118/

Designation : Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience : 1.5 years

Industry Experience : 7.5 years

Profile : Prof Shrirang Powar is a National Institute of Design graduate and excels in Architecture and Design with numerous awards and a patent to his credit for his Liquid Dispensing Nozzle. Featured in Architectural Digest, his work has been showcased at India Design. With over 7 years experience in diverse projects, he brings expertise in appliances, commercial lighting, furniture, and industrial automotive design. Beyond his professional success, Shrirang mentors students, igniting their creativity and guiding them to push boundaries in design, fostering innovation and passion.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrirang-powar-a9506654/

Designation : Assistant Professor

Teaching Experience : 13 years

Industry Experience : 6+ years

Profile : Mahanaaz Irani is a passionate and proficient Trainer, Educator and has over 13 years of experience of teaching Design Foundation. A good scale of balance being an Educationalist, she is an avid writer, venturing in content writing. Prior to becoming a full time Design Educator, Mahanaaz was a successful banker with over 6 years of rich experience of working at National and International banks. Her Design Training and Passion for Design coupled with strong communication skills and an effervescent personality make it easy for her to connect with students, at the same time her strong commerce background makes her capable of understanding the Business Dynamics of running an Educational Institute or a Department. Travelling to know different cultures is a passion close to her heart.

Research Publications: 5

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahanaazirani/

Designation : Associate Professor

Teaching Experience : 6+ years

Profile : Mr Samson Rengkhupmak is a skilled soft and hard Physical 3D Modeller. He is a keen hard worker player and an excellent time keeper. He is  a bright and productive individual with good interpersonal and communication skills. He excels in problem solving skills.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samson-rengkhupmak-3177b5150/?

ITI NCTVT CTI WORSHOP INSTRUCTOR

Specialization: Clay moddler

Teaching Experience : 10 years

E-Mail Id: sahil@dypdc.com

Profile : I am a passionate car lover, I love to explore my subjects comes to anything in teaching or sharing experiences open to learning new things around me

ORCID ID: 6146

Google Scholar Profile link: Sahilmandody@gmail.com

Vidwan ID: 611462

Specialization: Fashion Design

Teaching Experience : 10 years

E-Mail ID: amruta.dagale@adypu.edu.in

Profile : Amruta Dagale is a dedicated fashion educator with 10 years of experience, renowned for her expertise in Surface Design and entrepreneur development. With a passion for teaching and knowledge sharing, she has mentored numerous students and earned respect in the field of fashion education. Her association with esteemed organizations like Usha Machines & AFARM, and diverse experience across various institutes, further enrich her profile. Her unique blend of passion and expertise sets her apart.

Thrust Area: Growth and Innovation