Dr. Shruti Nigudkar

Dr. Shruti Nigudkar is an accomplished academician, designer, artist, and poet, with extensive professional experience in the fields of communication design, branding, strategy, social media marketing, photography, graphics, and advertising. She currently serves as the Program Director and Professor at the Department of Visual Arts, School of Design, at MIT World Peace University (MITWPU). Dr. Nigudkar has been involved in various roles at MITWPU, including her position as Associate Dean at the Department of Life Transformation Centre since March 2024. She is also the Founder Director of Ampersand, a creative consultancy firm, which she founded in 2016.

Dr. Shruti has a rich academic background with a PhD in Visual Arts, a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design and Applied Arts, a Master of Arts (MA) in Painting, and a Diploma in Art Education. She has served as a faculty member and head of the School of Fine Arts at MITWPU, where she focused on strategic design solutions in communication design, branding, and user experience design. Her academic contributions extend to her roles as a member of the Academic Council and Board of Study at MITWPU, SPPU, and VU, and as a jury member at the Symbiosis Institute of Design.

In addition to her academic career, Dr. Shruti has worked on numerous industry projects and consultancies, including branding for the VK Group, AESA, and Sudhanshu Travels. She has also mentored student projects, such as UI/UX design for ISKON’s Volstory and mascot design for BEE Competition.

Dr. Shruti Nigudkar is an academician, designer, artist, and poet, with a deep commitment to both education and design. She is currently serving as the Program Director and Professor in the Department of Visual Arts, School of Design, at MIT World Peace University (MITWPU). In addition, she holds the position of Associate Dean at the Department of Life Transformation Centre at MITWPU, which she has been part of since March 2024. Dr. Nigudkar also founded Ampersand, a creative consultancy firm, in 2016, where she continues to work as the Founder Director.

Her academic journey is marked by a strong foundation in visual arts and design. Dr. Nigudkar holds a PhD in Visual Arts from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University, where she explored modern definitions of art through grounded theory in her research. She also completed a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design and Applied Arts from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, graduating with the highest distinction. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Painting, a Diploma in Art Education, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

Dr. Shruti’s career in academia began in 2002 at Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Fine Arts, where she served as an Associate Professor for nearly 18 years. During this period, she played a significant role in educating students in the fields of communication design, branding, and user experience design. She facilitated courses and mentorship that focused on developing strong strategic design solutions. Her time at Bharati Vidyapeeth allowed her to shape students into leaders in their respective fields, fostering a deep understanding of visual communication.

She also held the position of Head of School at MITWPU's School of Fine Arts from 2020 to 2023. As the Head of School, she managed the academic and administrative aspects of the school, overseeing the development and execution of curriculum and fostering an environment of creative growth. Additionally, Dr. Nigudkar was a guest faculty member at various institutions, including MIT School of Fine Arts and Symbiosis Institute of Design, where she taught and mentored students in design and arts.

Dr. Shruti’s expertise also extends to consultancy and industry projects. She has worked on several branding and design initiatives for various organisations, including VK Group, AESA, and Sudhanshu Travels. Her work in these areas involved rebranding efforts, event design, and strategic communications. She has also mentored numerous student projects, such as UI/UX design for ISKON’s Volstory and mascot design for the BEE Competition. Her involvement in these projects reflects her ability to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry application.

Throughout her career, Dr. Shruti has been a member of the Academic Council and Board of Study at MITWPU, SPPU, and VU. She has also served as a jury member at the Symbiosis Institute of Design, where she assessed and guided student work in various design disciplines. In her role as an educator and leader, she has been instrumental in shaping the future of design education and has continued to stay updated with the latest industry trends.

Her interests in design, education, and research have led her to participate in several initiatives, such as the MITWPU Hackathon and Ideathon, where she actively engages with students and the industry to promote innovation. As an educator, Dr. Shruti has always believed in applying a pragmatic approach, guiding students to think critically and creatively while solving real-world problems through design.

Dr. Shruti Nigudkar envisions a future where design education fosters creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills, preparing students to lead in the ever-evolving design and arts industries. She believes in creating a learning environment that bridges theory and real-world application, helping students develop user-centric designs that address societal needs. Her goal is to inspire young minds to think innovatively while grounding their work in research-driven methodologies. Through her teaching and mentorship, Dr. Nigudkar aims to shape future leaders who can apply design thinking to solve problems and make a positive impact on the world.

Dr. Shruti Nigudkar has received recognition for her contributions to design education and the arts. She has been acknowledged for her leadership roles at MITWPU, where she has played a key part in shaping the curriculum and mentoring future designers. Her industry work in branding and design has earned her accolades from various organisations, including significant recognition for her consultancy projects. Dr. Shruti's commitment to education and research has also led her to be invited as a jury member at Symbiosis Institute of Design and serve as a member of academic councils at multiple universities.