An amalgamation of classroom training and field hands-on is what we believe in. Staying true to that very idea, on 16th November 2021 JD Institute Of Fashion Technology organized a visit to Odyssey Abstractions in Stone, Noida. 38 students from the batch of Interior Design (both undergraduate and postgraduate) were accompanied by two faculty members, Ms. Shipra Khanna and Ms. Simran Jaiswal to the site where a mere piece of natural stone transforms into a piece of art. The budding designers got a glimpse of industrial work and making this event an absolute success were the activities that followed.

Divided into two slots, the first visit was scheduled for 10:45 am to 12:45 pm and the second visit was from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. The objective of the visit was to acquaint the students with the tangents of industrial work and give them a glace into the technicalities of the design process in the real world.

Odyssey is known for its outstanding treatment of natural stone as an element of architecture and design. They explore the vast resources and diverse stones available in the country and abroad. Introducing a niche in stone design and architecture, Odyssey is proud to combine the tactile experience of stone with design innovation. With a  firm belief in constant research and development by investing in the latest technology and training craftsmen, Odyssey was able to quickly become a leader in this field. With over 20 years of experience, Odyssey is an ideal partner for large residential, hospitality, and commercial projects.

Mr. Anirudh Grover, an integral part of their Creative Team guided and briefed the students about what they are going to witness and learn through this visit. After his brief introduction to stonework, he introduced the students to the in-house architect who then imparted an informative presentation talking about the various kinds of stones. Bringing the students closer to the real industry scenario, he spoke about the various kinds of technicalities used in the industry, the kind of technical terms which students were very intrigued to know, and which also made them realize how keeping technical points on tips was so important in the industry. Getting practical knowledge of proper in-house fabrication of stone, which is not very common in India, was an enriching experience for the design aspirants. The visit was quite wonderful making the students get a completely different angle to the use of stone in their design ethos.

Along with the exquisite visit, the students also mastered the art of working with clients and the importance of matching up to the requirements of a client. They also learned the idea of a concept board, technical terms of software during the session. After an hour-long presentation, the session was concluded with an interactive question and answer session.

After that, the students were taken to the workshop where they saw the different types of manufacturing processes used in the stonework. Our students were intrigued by the sheer brilliance of stonework. Also, for most of them, this was their first industrial visit after the pandemic imposed lockdown. Their interest in the domain of Interior Design was piqued with this practical and live workshop in front of their eyes.

This blend of theory and the live workshop gave them an insight into the realm of stonework, giving them a fresh perspective of a working environment.