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Blogs

By: Professor Sanjay Jain
Professor Emeritus & Director, Outreach
Avantika University, Ujjain

Design goes well beyond aesthetics because it’s a conscious process of finding a solution to the problem that fulfills its purpose and does not neglect life and humanity. As we stand on the threshold of 2026, design education has transformed significantly and integrated old-school disciplines with new-age technologies and humanized innovation in responding to the multifaceted issues facing the society and the environment presently.

The Foundations and the Horizons

The classic design disciplines of Communication and Branding, Product Design, Interior and Spatial Design, Fashion, Architecture and Landscape Design remain the strength behind this field. Nevertheless, these areas of foundations currently integrate digital developments and sustainability values so that designers do not become irrelevant in the evolving world.

The cutting edge of innovation is represented by the digital design domains such as User Experience and Interaction Design, Web and App Design, Immersive Media such as AR/VR, Motion Graphics and Wearable Interfaces. These spaces are using AI to provide customized and personalized experiences, forming a novel type of synergy between human creativity and machine intelligence.

Interdisciplinary Innovation

Design education is no longer an isolated discipline. New interdisciplinary fields like AI and Machine Learning Design, Sustainable and Circular Design, Social Innovation, Speculative Futures, Bio-design and Inclusive Design are more focused on ethics, accessibility and environmental respect. They encourage the students to confront ethical dilemmas and develop solutions that attract culturally, socially, and ecologically.

Future Trends that are Transformation Drivers

The future of design requires cooperation in technology, science and policy. Modern designers create according to AI-enhanced creativity, adopt the philosophy of zero waste, focus on representative culture, and design 3D worlds. Design has turned into an ecosystem, including creative leadership, the capacity to think systemically, and the changing relationship between human and technology.

Essential Skills for the New Generation

Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 

Designers must innovatively tackle complex, often interdisciplinary  problems with an ability to think both divergently and convergently to  generate effective solutions. 

Technical Ability and digital skills. 

Knowledge of AI-driven design tools, 3D modeling, VR/AR, prototyping,  parametric modelling, algorithmic thinking and basic computer coding will also be essential to modify design work to fit the fast-changing digital and real world. 

Systems Thinking and Vision 

It is important to understand the interactions of various components and systems on a large scale. Designers have to think of the future through the use of patterns and context-aware design not only in pixels or individual elements. 

Human-Centred and Ethical Design. 

The foundations will be empathy, ethics, inclusiveness, and sustainability.  The designers have to make sure that their work honors human dignity, the social values, and their ecological effects. 

Team Work and Cooperation. 

There should be an effective collaboration with other disciplines, such as engineers, AI  professionals, and stakeholders and to communicate ideas clearly both orally and visually. 

Flexibility and Life Long Learning. 

Due to the continuous changes in technologies and society, designers have to learn to be life long learners who swiftly acquire new skills and in order to adapt to new tools and situations.

Data Literacy and Analytics 

By collecting and incorporating user data, behavioural trends and feedback to guide design will enable more bespoke design solutions that are intelligent. 

Optimization and Iterative Design 

Using AI and computational tools to optimize design outcomes through  continuous feedback loops and rapid prototyping will become standard  practice. 

Avantika University’s Commitment

Avantika University, Ujjain, embraces these dynamic shifts by integrating AI with design education across engineering, management, liberal arts, and legal studies. The university fosters an innovative culture preparing students to become versatile, ethical, and visionary design leaders ready to shape the rapidly changing world.

In conclusion, design education today is in the interchange between tradition and innovation, adopting a holistic vision of creativity, technology, ethics and sustainability. The future requires designers not only with artistic proficiency, but also with technical mastery, critical thinking, and understanding. Education should change to foster interdisciplinary cooperation, adaptive learning, and people solutions that respond to the multidimensional challenges of our era. Universities such as Avantika University are on this transformational path as they are integrating AI and sustainability into their curriculum, ready to train designers to produce solutions that are meaningful, accountable, and progressive. This is the future of design as it is a dynamic combination of both art and science, a fascinating and an important area of study to the students who are set to create the world of tomorrow.

By: Dr. Pankaj Kumar Rai

HOD, Biotechnology,

Invertis University, Bareilly University, Uttar Pradesh

Technology is quietly changing the way we teach and learn forensic science, making complex ideas easier to explore and giving students powerful new tools to solve crimes in ways we once only imagined. The integration of technology into education has not only modernised classrooms. Still, it has also revolutionised disciplines deeply rooted in practical and analytical training, such as Forensic Science. We have witnessed how digital transformation has opened new avenues for experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative research. This article explores the impact of digitalisation on education, particularly within the forensic field. It highlights what steps we, as educators, can take to strengthen this transformation within our university.

Forensic education traditionally relies on hands-on practical sessions, laboratory experiments, and field investigations. However, the digital revolution has expanded these boundaries by introducing virtual learning environments, online simulations, and digital forensic tools. Platforms such as virtual crime scene simulators, digital microscopy, and 3D reconstruction software allow students to explore complex forensic scenarios without being limited by physical lab infrastructure. In our university, incorporating such tools can help students visualise concepts that were earlier confined to textbooks. For example, virtual autopsy platforms and crime scene reconstruction software can train students to analyse evidence in a simulated environment. This ensures safety, cost efficiency, and accessibility, especially for those unable to access physical labs due to space or time constraints.

Digitalization enables the creation of innovative laboratories, where data is collected, stored, and analysed digitally. Automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS), facial recognition software, and AI-based toxicology analysis are now part of modern forensic workflows. Introducing these technologies into our practical curriculum can make students industry-ready. We can also integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in forensic teaching. AR-based modules can allow students to virtually examine crime scenes, identify patterns, and collect digital evidence. This not only enhances engagement but also develops critical thinking and decision-making skills. Moreover, students can repeatedly practice complex procedures digitally, something that is not always possible in real labs due to cost and sample limitations.

The digital era has made global collaboration and knowledge exchange easier than ever. Without geographical barriers, forensics students and faculty can now participate in international webinars, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), digital conferences, and collaborative research projects. As an Assistant Professor, I can encourage my students to engage in digital forensic research using online databases, open-access journals, and analytical software. Platforms like ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and forensic-specific databases help students stay updated with the latest developments and methodologies. Furthermore, plagiarism detection tools, reference managers, and data analysis software promote research integrity and professionalism among young scholars.

Digitalization has impacted how we teach forensic science and created a new sub-discipline, Digital Forensics. With the increasing use of mobile devices, social media, and cyber technologies, crimes have turned digital, making cyber forensics and data recovery indispensable in modern education. Our university can design specialised modules or certificate courses in Digital Forensics, focusing on cybercrime investigation, network security, mobile forensics, and ethical hacking. Incorporating real-life digital case studies and software like EnCase, FTK, or Autopsy can equip students with hands-on digital investigative skills. As faculty, we can collaborate with IT departments and law enforcement agencies to organise workshops, internships, and seminars that bridge the gap between technology and criminal investigation.

Adopting Learning Management Systems such as Google Classroom, Moodle, and Canvas has transformed how we interact with students. Online lectures, recorded demonstrations, digital quizzes, and virtual discussion forums make learning flexible and inclusive. In the forensic department, I can design interactive digital modules that include video-based demonstrations of experiments, virtual tours of forensic laboratories, and step-by-step guides for evidence analysis. These make learning more engaging and ensure continuity in education during times like pandemics or natural disasters. 

Additionally, digital feedback and performance analytics available through LMS platforms help teachers track student progress in real-time and provide individualised academic support. Digitalisation encourages innovation and entrepreneurship among students. With access to forensic software and online tools, students can work on innovative projects such as mobile apps for evidence documentation, digital databases for missing persons, or machine-learning models for crime pattern analysis. As faculty, we can initiate student innovation cells within the department to promote such projects. By guiding students in converting their ideas into viable prototypes or research papers, we enhance their technical skills and prepare them for industry challenges. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations with computer science, biotechnology, or law departments can further strengthen this culture of innovation.

While digitalisation has immense benefits, it also brings challenges. Significant hurdles include the digital divide, lack of infrastructure, cybersecurity issues, and data privacy concerns. Moreover, forensic education demands tactile experience; the smell of chemicals, the feel of evidence, and the pressure of real investigations cannot be entirely replicated digitally. Therefore, a balanced approach is essential. Combining digital and physical training, blended learning can ensure students gain conceptual understanding and real-world expertise. Universities must invest in digital infrastructure, faculty training, and cybersecurity protocols to make this transformation effective and secure. As an Assistant Professor, I can contribute by developing digital teaching materials, conducting e-workshops, and continuously updating myself with emerging technologies. Faculty development programs on digital pedagogy can also ensure educators remain skilled in using advanced tools effectively.


Digitalisation is not merely a trend; it is the future of education. In the field of Forensic Science, it has become a catalyst for modernisation, making teaching more interactive, accessible, and research-driven. Through digital innovations, we can prepare students to become competent forensic professionals capable of handling physical and digital evidence with equal expertise. As educators, our role extends beyond teaching; we are facilitators of transformation. By embracing digital tools, fostering innovation, and promoting interdisciplinary learning, we can ensure that our university becomes a hub of technologically empowered forensic education. The ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are both scientifically skilled and digitally intelligent, ethically grounded, and ready to serve society in the ever-evolving world of crime and justice

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