The India Report’58- A Review
The India Report was an extensive study by Charles and Ray Eames, performed in 1958. It had recommendations that could combat the deterioration of the quality of Indian consumer goods. It provides aid through suggestions of intensive Design training.
Eames mentioned that India was traditionally bound and hence faced a lack of calculative decision making. The creators are inclined towards a cultural aesthetic, therefore forgetting the fundamental problems existent in the form. After concluding their findings, they proposed a system that could work as a catalyst in advancing the process of generating quality. The report concentrated on the functionality of a product and methods of making design effortless for people to use, so much so that they could solve their problems. This could be accomplished by maintaining a ratio of highly qualified mentors to an optimal number of students. These mentors would be hired, post an intense quality check that ensured the individuals appreciated the design and were not just experimenting with their creative sides. Eames encouraged cross-collaboration from people working in disciplines barring Design. They proposed setting up a physical institution that could provide students with a scope of conversations. Additionally, a certain discomfort in their environments by cutting down on luxuries would urge them to be better design thinkers.
I agreed upon pointers that focused on the basic functionality of a product in addition to inculcating an inclusive culture. I disagreed upon parts that stressed Indian culture being pompous. While the discussion about creating a defined system for Design Education seemed fair but the suggestive idea of a wipeout of our culture in our ways of expression didn’t stand out for me. Additionally, Indian Design education has progressed since 1958, but the implementation of an optimal mentor-student ratio and inculcating visiting critics from fields other than design still appears to be a work in progress.
