Joint Certification Programme
07 April 2026, Tuesday
07 April 2026, Tuesday
11:10 AM
01:30 PM
Department of Design, IILM University, Gurugram
Prof. Nitika Seth
IILM University, Gurugram
The Joint Certification Programme featured two focused sessions — Session 1 on “Design in Businesses” by Mr. Akshit Malhotra (NIFT, ISB, ex-AVP of Design at CARS24) and Session 2 on “Careers in the Age of AI” by Mr. Divyashish Jindal (Masters’ Union, IIT Delhi, ex-Doubtnut, Amazon) — collectively providing students with a roadmap for navigating high-growth industries whilst leveraging emerging technologies to remain competitive in the design workforce. A central insight of the session was the practical shift of design from a “service” to a “core business driver” — repositioning the designer’s professional identity from a support function to a strategic organisational asset, with implications for how design students should frame their careers and competencies. Students gained understanding of how AI tools are being integrated into professional career paths, including the shift in skill sets required for designers to thrive alongside AI automation, directly addressing the question of future-proofing a design career in a rapidly changing technological landscape. The importance of business acumen for designers seeking to move into AVP or leadership roles was emphasised, with case studies from CARS24 and Amazon illustrating how design professionals progress from creative execution to strategic leadership through a combination of technical excellence and commercial understanding. Ethical and practical considerations of using AI for high-stakes product design were discussed, equipping students with a framework for responsible professional decision-making when deploying AI tools in consequential design contexts.
Students gained insights into how design functions within large-scale corporate environments and contributes to business growth, developing understanding of design’s strategic role as a core business driver rather than a service function — a perspective shift with direct implications for career planning and professional positioning. Participants developed better understanding of how AI tools are being integrated into professional career paths and the shift in skill sets required for designers to thrive alongside AI automation, providing a concrete framework for technology-related career development. The session motivated students to think beyond creative execution and consider strategic leadership roles in the design industry, with the career trajectories of the speakers — spanning CARS24, Amazon, Doubtnut, and Masters’ Union — providing tangible, aspirational benchmarks. Students displayed high engagement during the transition from theoretical concepts to real-world industry case studies, particularly around professional networking and internship strategies, demonstrating the practical value of practitioner-led sessions. Students left with a roadmap for navigating high-growth industries whilst leveraging emerging technologies, combining business acumen, AI literacy, and design expertise as the professional trifecta for career longevity in the design industry.