Abhijeet Rahut

Abhijeet Rahut is a multidisciplinary designer, curator, and educator with over 22 years of professional experience across academia, graphic design, accessory design, design research, and emerging technology. His career spans leadership roles in academic institutions, collaborative museum projects, luxury event design, and technical operations management at the University of the Arts London.

Known for his highly collaborative approach, he has curated exhibitions, led foundation and communication design programmes, and contributed to sustainable practice and digital innovation within design education. His work integrates traditional craft knowledge with contemporary design practice, supported by extensive experience in museum planning, large-scale installations, and community-engaged cultural projects.

His professional practice and pedagogy emphasize innovation, cultural narratives, and emerging technologies, positioning him as an educator committed to shaping future-ready designers.

Abhijeet has held leadership and creative roles across design, curation, and academia for over two decades. In his previous role as Technical Manager – Sustainable Practice at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, he led multidisciplinary technical teams and drove strategic development in sustainable design.

He was instrumental in restructuring and operating the Swap Shop, the centre for sustainable material learning and exchange at Central Saint Martins, transforming waste into creative opportunities. He also served as Department Leader (North Zone), School of Foundation at Pearl Academy, Delhi, and held senior design roles in luxury graphics, visual communication, museum installations, and craft research.

Sustainable Design Practice | Curatorial Design | Design Pedagogy | Indigenous Craft Techniques | Emerging Technologies in Design | Visual Communication | Museum and Exhibition Design

Abhijeet's teaching philosophy is grounded in critical pedagogy, reflective practice, and the integration of interdisciplinary design methodologies. He emphasizes inquiry-based learning that enables students to critically examine cultural, technological, and material contexts.

Central to his approach is sustainability as a pedagogical imperative, encouraging learners to evaluate environmental impact, resource ethics, and systems thinking within design processes. By situating studio practice within broader ecological and socio-cultural frameworks, he aims to cultivate designers who are not only skilled practitioners but also responsible and critically engaged contributors to sustainable futures.

Communication Design | Foundation Design | Built Environment & Culture Studies | Design History & Narratives | Collaborative Design Practices | Innovation & Pedagogy | E-learning Design | Portfolio Development | Industry-engaged Craft–Design Integration Modules

Abhijeet is a certified Carbon Literate Practitioner, having completed the Carbon Literacy Training Award at the University of the Arts London. This accreditation, validated by The Carbon Literacy Project — a UN-recognised initiative — acknowledges his competence in applying climate-responsive thinking within educational and professional practice. His certification reflects his commitment to integrating sustainability principles into design, pedagogy, and institutional development.

Abhijeet's scholarly work bridges craft preservation, cultural documentation, and contemporary design practice. As a Research Associate at the National Institute of Design, he documented 21 iconic craft techniques of India. He also contributed to the registration of crafts under the Intellectual Property Rights – Geographical Indication (GI) initiative across seven Indian states.

His publications include Agates of Cambay (Government of India) and research on sustainable craft-based design practice, along with contributions in Stories on Transformation of Education by Design, highlighted by Design Singapore Council and EdexLive.

He has curated exhibitions, developed museum installations using traditional craft techniques, and contributed to heritage restoration initiatives. His work reflects a deep commitment to preserving cultural knowledge while enabling its evolution within modern design ecosystems.

Email: abhijeet.rahut@ddn.upes.ac.in