Note

The first issue of Designfolio appeared in 1973, in the form of a newsletter. Since then many changes have taken place. In accordance with the new guidelines set for Designfolio about two years ago, this issue includes articles on many design-related subjects. Some of these indicate the varied nature of NID's activities, while others cover topics of particular interest to designers. The main feature is an article on Visual Rhetoric by Prof. Hanno Ehses of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, who conducted a two-week workshop cum seminar in 1989. This is an area of Visual Communication in which he has specialized. In his article, he illustrates how graphic design can make use of rhetorical principles to add force to a design message. The text of the keynote address delivered by Shri Sharada Prasad at a recent seminar on Book Design is also included. It makes interesting reading. We endeavour to include a feature on an NID graduate in each issue. This issue covers the work of Sunand Bhattacharya, who graduated in 1983.

The visit of a group of designers from Sri Lanka, reported in this issue, reflects NID's interest in developing closer links with designers and design institutions in other countries. Prof. Stuart Durant of Kingston Polyechnic, U.K., who came to NID in 1988 on a brief visit, has reviewed Owen Jones's Grammar of Ornament especially for us. Prof. Durant is an authority on Owen [ones and his work. This remarkable book, which first appeared in 1856, was reprinted in 1986. His own book, Ornament, published in 1986, is a survey of decoration from the 1830s until today.

The outcome of a particularly interesting research project in Production Design was a 20-rninute Hindi film titled 'Tota Nama', which involved both students and faculty in all aspects of its production - set and costume design, decor, furniture, etc. An article on this project, in Hindi, is featured in this issue.

We look forward to receiving articles, notes or written contributions from readers. For the benefit of those who wish to send in their articles we wish to make it clear that these should be 'NID-oriented' wherever possible, reporting topical discussions and critiques on the work done at NID. Material on ongoing activities in education, consultancy, research, extension training and design promotion in other organisations is also welcome. As pointed out in our earlier circular on the subject, the operative word is Topicality.

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