In India, when people hear design, most imagine fashion ramps, interiors, or something “artsy.” That’s like saying ice is just something cold. True, but it leaves out the magic. At its core, design is about noticing something that exists and asking:
Can this be made better for the one who uses it?
That “one” could be — ourselves, another person, animals, or plants or the surroundings…Anyone!
Think about it like this:
In India, we often call this spirit jugaad. And honestly, jugaad is brilliant — it shows our creativity, speed, and resourcefulness. But design stretches that spark further. Where jugaad is often a quick solution, design asks: how can this solution grow, last, and keep making life better again and again?
Design lives in all these places because it always begins with empathy: who will use this, what will they feel, and how can we make it work better for them? And the beauty is — design isn’t locked to one industry or one mood. It can exist in an app, in a piece of furniture, in the way a classroom is arranged, or even in the way we solve everyday problems.
Design is the act of making life better — by deeply thinking about people, context, and possibilities.
And now that you know that, it’s on us to spread the word — because in India, too many still think design is just artistic. It might feel scary to talk about this, but that’s exactly how young leaders are born. Feel free to tag 2 Minutes Academy when you do. You’re part of the community now.