Mohak Gulati
M.Des/Year 2
Growth-India Telescope
Growth-India Telescope
Prof. Prasad Bokil
GIT is India’s first fully-robotic optical research telescope located in Hanle, Ladakh operated by a team of astrophysicists led by Dr. Varun Bhalerao. I collaborated with the team to design two key aspects of the telescope’s operating systems: the Query Interface & the Live Dashboard.
The Query Interface proved challenging; requiring a thorough understanding of complex astronomy data points. GIT collects hordes of data that require careful categorisation so that we can leverage that dataset to create meaningful insights. Leveraging my background in communication design and the expertise of my peers, I proposed an interface that was able to accommodate detailed search queries while limiting the complexity of the query tool.
The Live Dashboard was to be exhibited on a large display for astrophysicists and patrons. Marrying effective information design and stunning visual graphics was key to its success.
This fruitful collaboration of scientific and creative expertise led to the creation of a robust system of information and interface design that will be used by researchers and students for years to come.
A Grim Memoir to Endangered Animals
A Grim Memoir to Endangered Animals
Prof. Shilpa Ranade
‘Forsaken’ is an illustrated book of poems on endangered animals, traversing the theme of wildlife depletion due to human intervention.
The book is an anthology documenting the story of 10 threatened species indigenous to India. Each book spread captures a distinct species whose story is depicted in a short poem and an illustration of the creature.
The key narrative thread charted across the book is human encroachment. Human involvement, direct or indirect, is consistently the leading factor in ecological disruptions. In writing, I leverage a tone of macabre humour to depict the grim reality of the state of each species. The concluding poem depicts humans themselves as one of the animals that face extinction, thus rounding off the narrative, which starts with human interference and ends with our demise.
This project was motivated by my drive towards wildlife conservation. I wish to serve the cause as best as possible with my skillset while still pushing myself to learn new things.
