DYPDC Center for Automotive Research and Studies

DYPDC Center for Automotive Research and Studies offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in automotive styling and is based in Pune, Maharashtra. DYPDC is a collaboration between the DY Patil group, one of Maharashtra's leading educational institutions and Dilip Chhabaria, the iconic automobile designer, hero to thousands of automobile enthusiasts. One of the distinguishing features of the program is that the design students build an actual automobile at the end of their program.

DYPDC Center for Automotive Research and Studies

There are no other credible programs being offered in automotive styling in India. Automotive design in India is still in its infancy and a dearth of good design schools further compounds the problem. Hence the industry cannot draw on local talent or experience. Through it's innovative program, DYPDC endeavors to fill this void. In the years to come, DYPDC Center for Automotive Research and Studies plans to become a premium institute offering residential, inter-disciplinary, auto-centric education in the areas of not only automotive design, but engineering and management programs as well.

Vision

DYPDC's vision is to ultimately become a global center of excellence in automotive research and studies.

Mission

Their mission is to prepare high quality graduates by providing high quality educational programs and thereby transforming them into a repository of knowledge and talent for the automobile industry, and to conduct groundbreaking research that ultimately benefits the society.

DY Patil Group

D.Y.Patil Group is a highly regarded educational organization having three deemed universities to its credit and running nearly 160 educational institutions, mainly in the professional education sphere, covering various disciplines like health care, engineering and technology, management, and education.

With a long-standing commitment towards quality teaching and learning, the group has nurtured values that go into the making of successful careers. Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the group encourages its students to think, question, explore and apply their well-honed minds to scale newer heights of success.

The group enjoys academic alliances with overseas universities that help bridge the educational and cultural divide between the rest of the world and us. Some of the alliances include those with University at Buffalo, University of Seychelles, University of Central Lancashire, Tufts University and many more.

Dilip Chhabria

Dilip Chhabria is an alumni of the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California, U.S., and has worked with General Motors USA in their design department. He is the promoter of the India based Dilip Chhabria Design Private Limited or DC Design, and is a leading automobile designer today. DC Design made the first prototype for the Aston Martin Vanquish, which featured in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day Presently he has to his credit over 650 designs on road, a unique, inimitable feat for any automobile designer across the world. For the first time Dilip Chhabria has been associated with an initiative such as this, which aims to train future automobile designers and prepare them for the competitive automobile industry.

Automotive Designing

Automotive Designing is largely concerned with development of automobiles, including cars, trucks, public transportation, boats, vans, motorcycles and alternative mobility. Automotive Stylists are responsible for the visual appearance or aesthetic appeal of vehicles, and for developing concepts in form of sketches and drawings leading to accurate full-size drawings and models. They are a part of multi-disciplinary teams that define the interior and exterior forms, materials, textures and colours applied in the shaping of an automobile. Primarily, automotive stylists take care of everything that gives us pleasure when we look at an automobile: style, function, quality, safety etc. However, design is more than just aesthetics. It goes much further. Design is about innovation. Good design is a well thought out combination and balance of form, fit and function. Ten years ago, companies competed on price. Then it was quality. Today it is design.

Career

The scope of auto design as a career is immense, for as long as people use automobiles for transport, designers will be in demand. Companies today are constantly looking to satisfy the new expectations of this era’s consumer. They aspire to be innovative. They are trying to develop real novel products that exactly match the consumers’ needs and expectations. To achieve this, they utilize certain innovation practices in which design plays a significant role. Design is one of the key differentiators in most of today's industries, because distinctive design and styling helps make a product more desirable to a customer, thereby helping companies attain a greater market share and revenue. Hence an automobile designer is a key factor in the growth and competitiveness of an automobile manufacturer.

Teaching Method

Teaching method includes formal lectures, studio-based assignments, laboratory experiments, team-based projects, and case-studies that encourage problem solving and experimentation. An active ‘hands on' approach to learning is encouraged with design workshops and projects, field trips and laboratory work. Students participate in building and testing prototype designs and undertake week-long design projects.

Curriculum

DYPDC has developed a competency-based curriculum using the framework provided by National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD), USA and referencing the Subject Benchmark Statements as provided by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), UK.

The curriculum incorporates two components: (1) The core employability skills that are integrated throughout the instructional course sequence of the program; and (2) The technical skills standards that reflect the performance requirements unique to the course.

The early semesters are dedicated to learning the fundamentals: concept sketching, rendering, three-dimensional model making, presentation techniques, computer-aided design tools, emerging technologies and energy sources, and the principles of ergonomics, mechanical engineering, and materials technology. The final semesters are focused on putting the skills learned in the early terms into practice, refining them, and finding appropriate areas of expertise. Greater emphasis is placed on digital design techniques and presentation.

The program develops the students' intellectual and creative abilities by combining technical knowledge with practical design, business and management skills relevant to the automotive industry.

Admission Process

Admission to the DYPDC's programs in Automotive Styling is extremely competitive. Admissions are on a rolling basis, meaning the moment a student submits all the documents, he or she is considered for admission. The Admission Committee looks for an excellent portfolio, passion and commitment for automotive design, and potential for advancing in the field of design.

Applicants for the undergraduate program should be XIIth passouts in any stream (including Arts, Science and Commerce) and are required to submit 5 to 15 original drawings or sketches of automobiles, including cars, trucks, public transportation, boats, motorcycles or alternative mobility, a statement of purpose outlining their motivation for doing the program and why they think they will be a good fit, and official academic transcripts.

Applicants for the postgraduate program should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The rest of the documents remain the same.

Applicants who are unable to gain admission into the program on the basis of their portfolio, are asked to sit for a specially designed entrance exam.

Campus

DYPDC has state-of-the-art facilities, including:

1. Modern classrooms

2. Advanced studios,

3. Computer labs,

4. Cutting-edge rapid prototyping workspaces,

5. Modeling facilities

6. An extensive library featuring an international collection of design reference materials.

Research

The main objective of DYPDC's Centre for Research will be to promote and perform a broad range of world-class research to provide solutions to the automotive industry's most-pressing challenges. The research spectrum includes: intelligent design, future of transportation, green materials, new materials, alternative fuels, sensors and actuators, safety systems, environmental impacts, vehicle design, and human factors / ergonomics.

The Center for Research will undertake industry and grant-funded research and experimental initiatives and will coordinate interdisciplinary projects with other institutions.

Financial Support

DYPDC grants scholarships on a merit and need basis.

External links

[Official Website]

[DC Design]

See Also

[Tarzan the wonder car]

[Dilip Chhabria sees huge scope in innovation]

[Super cars of the world]