Mentors
At the DY Patil School of Design, our faculty comprises leading designers, architects, artists, and scholars who drive change both in the classroom and in their respective industries. They work closely with students, enhancing their skills and professional networks.

Prajeesh Kumar TK

Prajeesh Kumar TK
Head of the Department
Prajeesh Kumar TK brings 12 years of extensive experience in both design academia and industry. A versatile designer with a strong academic foundation in product design, he seamlessly blends creativity with analytical skills to deliver innovative solutions across diverse design domains, including sustainable materials, lifestyle product design, and industrial design. His journey includes 8 years at the prestigious National Institute of Design. Throughout his career, he has contributed to organizations such as Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, the State Bamboo Missions of Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, General Aeronautics Pvt Ltd, and Hind High Vacuum (HHV) Group, demonstrating his expertise and impact. His design findings have been published by the National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI) and the State Bamboo Missions of Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, serving as textbooks for young aspiring designers. He has also showcased his designs at prestigious exhibitions, including the India Design Council Exhibition 2015, the National Horticulture Expo 2019, and the India Wood Expo 2014. Beyond his professional practice, he plays a significant role in academia, mentoring future designers at the Kerala State Institute of Design and Jain (Deemed-to-be University).
Head of the Department

Prof. Ar. Swaminath Swamy

Prof. Ar. Swaminath Swamy
Senior Mentor
Currently working as an Assistant Professor at DY Patil University, School of Design in Pune, Ar. Swaminath Swamy, B.Arch '93, is an adept architect with extensive experience in leadership roles. He has excelled as Chief Architect in Mumbai & Thane, Hiranandani Group's HOD Architect, Rustomjee Group's GM Architect, and Xrbia Group's VP & D&D Head. His portfolio boasts successful projects ranging from small-scale designs to large mixed-use townships across major Indian cities. Swaminath Swamy's collaborative spirit is evident through his work with international consultants, enriching his industry insights.
Senior Mentor

Prof. Harshada Pawar

Prof. Harshada Pawar
Program CoordinatorPD
Currently working as an Assistant Professor at DY Patil University, School of Design in Pune, Harshada Samadhan Pawar, Assistant Professor SEO, is a skilled product design specialist with expertise in CAD/CAM. She oversees critical aspects of the institute, including admissions and sports events coordination, while excelling in vehicle modification and conceptual design development. Harshada's achievements extend to successfully managing a preprimary school, highlighting her leadership and organizational acumen.
Program CoordinatorPD

Prof. Gajanan Yadao

Prof. Gajanan Yadao
Program Coordinator, CD
Gajanan Yadao is an Assistant Professor at the DYPU School of Design, where he brings his expertise to subjects such as Editorial Design, Brand Communication, Typography, and the History of Art. With a strong foundation in visual storytelling and design theory, he strives to equip students with both practical skills and conceptual understanding essential for the contemporary design industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Graphic Design and has been actively working as a freelance graphic designer for the past three years. His professional work spans across print and digital media, with a focus on developing brand identities, editorial layouts, and typographic systems. Blending academic insight with real-world practice, he contributes to the design field both as an educator and a practitioner.
Program Coordinator, CD

Prof. Elvis Robert Phumale

Prof. Elvis Robert Phumale
Program Coordinator, ID
Currently working as an Assistant Professor at DY Patil University, School of Design, Pune. Elvis is enriched with 3 years of experience in academia and is a graduate from Allana College of Architecture. An architectural professional with 5 years of experience in a variety of project types for public and private sector clients, he has been involved in designing large-scale master plans for institutional and residential designs. He is also a co-partner and designer at Studio Ar_Tres, which specializes in Interior, Architecture, and Landscape designs. Having an eye for detail, he has a keen interest in furniture and interior design, is an artist who enjoys working hands-on with carpentry, and has successfully held workshops for creating different types of furniture.
Program Coordinator, ID

Nachiket Gujar

Nachiket Gujar
Photography
Nachiket Gujar began his career as a photographer at Network18 Publishing in Mumbai. He holds a Master’s in Architecture (Computer Application) and a second post-graduate degree in Photography Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. With two years of UI/UX design experience at Infosys, he has excelled in both independent and collaborative work. Alongside his decade-long academic career, he freelances as a photographer and writer for architectural magazines. Passionate about mentoring, he conducts workshops on design thinking, furniture design, graphic design, digital and alternative photography, photogrammetry, and short filmmaking, now embarking on his journey as a researcher.
Photography

Vishaka Vishwanath

Vishaka Vishwanath
Brand Communication
Vishakha Vishwanath is an award-winning Marathi poet, author, and marketing strategist specializing in copywriting, brand communications, and digital marketing. A recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2023, she has significantly influenced Marathi literature, film marketing, and advertising. Her poetry book, Swathala Swatha Virudha Ubha Kartana, has received wide recognition. With an MBA in Marketing and over five years of experience, she has led 40+ film campaigns and worked with brands like Madhavbaug, Dhutpapeshwar, and Bhansali Productions. A visionary strategist and engaging presenter, she continues to shape brands and craft compelling narratives across industries.
Brand Communication

Rahul Narwane

Rahul Narwane
Filmmaking
Rahul Narwane is an artist, photographer, and filmmaker whose passion for art and culture fuels his exploration of new storytelling horizons. While pursuing a Master of Arts in Indology, he developed a deep understanding of ancient art, which influences his work. His debut short film Kedareshwar won Best Short Film at the Pune International Film Festival, while Manohar Ambanagari earned global recognition. His documentary on Pune’s petroglyphs was screened at the Archaeological Film Festival, Italy. Known for his unorthodox storytelling, Rahul highlights nature and art’s raw beauty, crafting visually compelling narratives beyond mainstream cinematic conventions.
Filmmaking

Ar. Prasad Dalal

Ar. Prasad Dalal
Architect
Ar. Prasad Pradeep Dalal is a skilled architect, interior designer, and graphic designer dedicated to innovative and sustainable design. He has worked with renowned firms like Dar-Al-Handasah, SSA Architects, and Avinash Nawathe Architects, gaining expertise in residential, commercial, and infrastructural projects. As Principal Architect at Portray Cluster®, founded in 2021, he has led 40+ projects, including bungalows, apartments, commercial spaces, and affordable housing. Since June 2022, he has served as Secretary of The Indian Institute of Architects, Talegaon. Prasad seamlessly blends functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, shaping Pune’s evolving architectural landscape.
Architect

Neeraj Rittikar

Neeraj Rittikar
Production Engineer
Neeraj Rittikar, a production engineer, has built a dynamic career at the intersection of technical precision and aesthetic design. He began as a Design Engineer at Kirloskar Oil Engines, honing his expertise in product development. Later, at Studio Keydesigns, he mastered A-class surface modeling and industry-leading software. Currently contributing his refined design acumen at EVO, India, he continues to push creative boundaries through independent design projects. His work seamlessly blends functionality with striking aesthetics, reflecting his deep understanding of design engineering. Passionate about innovation, Neeraj consistently strives to create products that are both visually appealing and highly practical.
Production Engineer

Ar. Gaurav Joshi

Ar. Gaurav Joshi
Architect B Arch
Ar. Gaurav Joshi is an innovative architect specializing in residential and commercial interiors. With six years of experience since earning his Bachelor of Architecture, he has successfully completed and delivered over 85 interior projects through his private practice. He excels in architectural planning, collaborating closely with clients to create aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces. His strengths include project management, spatial problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the construction process. Passionate about design innovation, Gaurav seamlessly blends creativity with practicality, ensuring each project meets client needs while maintaining high standards of functionality and visual appeal.
Architect B Arch

Prof. Babasaheb Maske

Prof. Babasaheb Maske
M.Des IIT-Delhi
Babasaheb, sir, earned his Architecture degree from MIT Aurangabad and a Masters in product design from IIT Delhi. He possesses vast expertise in the design industry.
M.Des IIT-Delhi

Devavrat A. Madhavi

Devavrat A. Madhavi
M.Des IISC-Bangalore
Entrepreneur at heart and problem solver at brain. With rich experience of 10+ years in various verticals of entrepreneurship, such as business development, customer relationship management, building and mentoring new specialized as well as cross functional teams, comes a vision to take new leaps in wide spectrum of new fields of industry and business.
M.Des IISC-Bangalore

Nilesh Rahate

Nilesh Rahate
B.Arch-M.Des, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Nilesh Rahate holds a degree in architecture and a Master's in product design from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi. He works with an innovation lab in Pune and is involved in architecture and interior design projects
B.Arch-M.Des, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Anuradha Pendse-Date

Prof. Anuradha Pendse-Date
G D Art (Applied), MA Indology, MA Philosophy
Anuradha ma'am holds a G D Art (Applied) degree, a Master's in Indology, and a Master's in Philosophy. She has vast experience in visual communication design.
G D Art (Applied), MA Indology, MA Philosophy

Sarang Tanaji Gore

Prof. Sarang Tanaji Gore
BFA, Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune
Sarang, having received a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, is now exploring the medium of art further by delving into Graphic Design and UI/UX Design. With a passion for art since childhood and drawing strong inspiration from his surroundings, he has developed a creative point of view that has aided him in becoming a better visual artist.
BFA, Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune