Amita Heer
Program Chair – BDesign Product and Visual Comm
Prof. Amita is an architect and designer, having graduated from Chandigarh College of Architecture and earned a postgraduate degree in Furniture and Interior Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. She is the program chair for B.Design (Product & Visual Communication) program at School of Environmental Design and architecture.
As the Creative Head of All Things Bright and Beautiful since 2019, she specializes in experiential and spatial design, crafting immersive environments for large-scale events, including music and art festivals, installations, and high-profile weddings.
With over 13 years of experience, she has led scenography for prominent weddings, such as the Anant Ambani pre-wedding and wedding celebrations in Jamnagar and Mumbai in 2024. Her extensive portfolio includes projects across India and internationally in countries such as Kenya, Italy, the UAE, Austria, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.
Her interior design work spans notable establishments like Dirty Martini, Olive Bar and Kitchen, along with various residential and commercial projects. Amita has also contributed to prestigious events such as the Serendipity Art Festival, India Art Fair, NH7, Zomaland, and theatrical productions for Daksha Seth, as well as set design for fashion show finales for designers like Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Suneet Varma, JJ Vallaya, Namrata Joshipura, Ritu Kumar, and many more during India Bridal Week and India Couture Week.
Total Work Experience: 13+ years
Academic Background/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Architecture (B.Arch.) from Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh (2003-2008)
- Master of Design (M.Des) in Furniture & Interior Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (2009-2012)
Professional or Industrial Experience
Teaching:
Courses taught by the faculty member:
- Foundation Year, B.Design (Product Design & Visual Communication)
- Geometry and Material Explorations
- Elements and Principles of Design
Teaching Philosophy or Approach:
- Experiential Learning: Emphasizes hands-on experiences, encouraging students to engage in real-world projects. This practical exposure helps them understand the complexities of design in various contexts.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Advocates for teamwork across disciplines, believing that diverse perspectives enhance creativity.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Emphasizes the importance of cultural context in design, encouraging students to appreciate and incorporate local traditions and practices into their work.
Visiting Faculty Experience:
- National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Discipline: B.Des, Furniture & Interior Design, Semester 5
Design Studio: Historic & Complementary Forms and Styles, Semester 5 - MRID, MSU (Fine Arts), Vadodara
Disciplines: B.Des, Communication Design, Accessory Design, Craft Design, Semester 7
Design Studios Taken:
a) Packaging Design
b) Elective: Reimagining & Reactivating a Space
c) Colloquium
Disciplines: Moving Images, Communication Design, Accessory Design, Craft Design, Semester 1 & 2 (Foundation)
Modules Taken:
a) Form, Space & Structure
b) Design Process – Accessory Design
c) Introduction to Traditional Narratives with a Focus on the History of Visual Narration of Indian Crafts
- MET School of Architecture & Interior Design, Nasik
Discipline: B.Design, Set Design
a) Set Design Workshop
b) Set Design Studio, Semester 5
c) Thesis Guide for Final Year Students, 2019 – Present - School of Environmental Design & Architecture, Navrachna University
Discipline: B.Des (Interior Design)
a) Retail Design Studio, Semester 5, introducing the world of retail design with a focus on window displays.
b) Elective Course – Introduction to Scenography, Semester 6
c) Thesis Guide for Final Year Interior Design Students
Professional Experience
- Assistant Architect, Design 360, Chandigarh, 2008 – 2009
Worked with Design 360 on a variety of projects ranging from interiors of retails spaces and restaurants to residential and commercial projects. - Craft Documentation, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, 2010
She was part of a dedicated team at the National Institute of Design (NID), focusing on craft documentation. This project involved extensive research on bamboo and cane practices in Thrikkaipatta, Wayanad, Kerala, and Sagara, Karnataka. Sponsored by NID, the initiative aimed to: Field Research: Engaged directly with local artisans, documenting traditional techniques and craftsmanship. This hands-on approach allowed for a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and intricacies of bamboo and cane work. Documentation Process: The team meticulously recorded their findings through photographs, sketches, and written accounts, creating a comprehensive resource that highlights the skills and practices of the artisans. Cultural Insights: Their work aimed to preserve and promote the unique craft heritage of these regions, bringing attention to the craftsmanship and fostering appreciation for sustainable materials and practices.
- Scenografia Sumant, New Delhi, 2012 – 2019
Worked as a Senior Designer at Scenografia Sumant, a Delhi-based firm led by renowned scenographer Sumant Jayakrishnan. Her work primarily focused on scenography and installation design for large-scale ambient events, theatre, film, fashion shows, weddings, and music and dance festivals. Key Responsibilities: Project Leadership: Responsible for overseeing projects from initial client meetings through concept presentations, working drawings, vendor negotiations, and site handover. Creative Research: Acted as the visual design researcher, utilizing clients’ “LIKES” lists—which included art, nature, history, architecture, faith, and cultural references—to develop tailored concepts for each project. Concept Development: Played a pivotal role in the concept and design development process, ensuring each project reflected the client’s vision while integrating her creative insights. Notable Projects:
- Interior Design for Dirty Martini at Olive Kitchen & Bar, Mehrauli (2012)
- South Asian Band Performance, Rashtrapati Bhavan, 2012 – 2016
- Bhakti Utsav
- Asian Development Bank Conference and Stage Set Design for Daksha Seth Performance, 2013, Greater Noida
- India Art Fair (January 2013)
- Wedding Set Design for Kothari-Bhartia Wedding (2013, New Delhi & Chennai)
- Set Design for Lakme Prostylist Lounge & Finale (2013, Mumbai)
- India Bridal Week Exposition & Set Design for Six Finales (2013, New Delhi)
- Wedding Set Design for Thakrar Kalsi Wedding (2013, Mombasa, Kenya)
- Wedding Set Design for Jubilant Bhartia Group (2013, 2016, New Delhi)
- Wedding Set Design for Jindals (Istanbul, 2014)
- Interiors for Organic India, GK, N-block Market
- Set Design for India Couture Week, Raj Mahal Jewelers (New Delhi)
- Wedding Set Design for Zammin Ferrous Group (Puglia, Italy, 2014)
- Wedding Set Design for Chemon Group (Florence, Italy, 2015)
- Wedding Set Designs in Dubai & Abu Dhabi (2015 & 2017)
- Wedding Reception Set Design for DS Group, Pragati Maidan, 2016
- Serendipity Art Festival, Goa, 2016
- Wedding Set Design for Salgaocar Wedding, 2016, Goa
- Udaipur Music Festival
- Zomaland, 2019
- Pre-Wedding Set Design for Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant at Jamnagar (2024)
- Wedding Set Design for Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant at Mumbai (2024)
- All Things Bright and Beautiful, New Delhi, 2019 – Present
As the Creative Head, she leads the vision and execution of innovative design solutions for various projects, including events, installations, and experiential environments. Her role encompasses several key responsibilities, such as shaping the overall aesthetic and thematic direction of projects to ensure they resonate with clients’ desires while pushing creative boundaries.
Notable projects include: Wedding Set Design for Khatija Rahman, AR Rahman’s daughter, Chennai, 2022.
Area of Expertise and Research
- Primary Area: Scenography, Exhibition Design, Furniture Design, Retail Design
- Secondary Area: Product Design, Traditional Narratives, Geometry, Materials
Training/Workshops
- Assistant Design Trainer, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, 2010 : She was part of a team that conducted a workshop for the Government of Gujarat in Vyarah, Surat, as part of the state’s Tribal Development Program. In her dual role as a designer and trainer, she focused on fostering contemporary designs and methods that utilized bamboo, collaborating closely with the local tribal community.
Professional Affiliations/Membership
- Registered Member of the Council of Architecture (C.O.A.)
