Description of the Workshop
How do emotions shape our experiences, and how can we design with them in mind?
Rasa Design is an immersive course that fuses the profound philosophy of the Navarasas (the nine aesthetic emotions) with the principles of design thinking and the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. This unique approach enables designers, innovators, and strategists to craft deeply resonant experiences that go beyond utility—touching the core of human emotion.
Taught by two distinguished experts, Sumana Sen Mandala, a professional dancer and a teacher, and Prof. Bala Ramadurai, an international professor and author, this course offers a rare blend of artistic and analytical perspectives on design. Through a structured, hands-on approach, participants will explore how emotions drive customer interactions, how to observe and interpret these emotions, and ultimately, how to transform them through thoughtful design.
Profile of the Instructors
Dr. Bala Ramadurai is an author, coach, consultant and professor. He has authored a book on Design Thinking called Karmic Design Thinking (https://dt.balaramadurai.net). He has 3 patents to his credit and 10+ publications in international research journals. He co-founded TRIZ Innovation India (https://trizindia.org) and is an Adjunct Professor at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (India) (https://www.sibmpune.edu.in), Universidad Panamericana (Mexico), Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies and National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (https://nptel.ac.in). He is also a board member of the Board of Studies for Symbiosis International University.
Sumana Sen Mandala, MFA, is a Bharata Nrityam artist and founding Director of Dansense-Nrtyabodha, a key organization in Arizona’s dance community for 25 years. She is Co-Director of the Critical Response Process Certification Program and a Race, Arts & Democracy Fellow at Arizona State University. Sumana is a disciple of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and has taught dance appreciation and ethnography as faculty at ASU. A visiting scholar, she conducts workshops globally and has published research, including a chapter in “Stories We Dance, Stories We Tell.” Sumana’s work fosters collaboration and creativity at the intersection of arts and social justice.
Modules of the Workshop
Module 1 : Introduction to Design Thinking & Capturing Emotions
Concepts Covered :
Basic introduction to Design Thinking, emotional impact on customers, and capturing emotions through interviews, observations, and storytelling techniques
Learning Outcomes :
Understanding of how emotions influence customer perception and practice capturing customer emotions through structured methodologies
Module 2 : Expressing Emotions through Rasa Layers & Visual Techniques
Concepts Covered :
Utilizing Rasa Layers and expressive techniques to visualize and express emotions in customer journeys
Learning Outcomes :
Participants will express and visualize emotions using creative methodologies such as storytelling and drama
Module 3 : Transformation of Rasas & Emotional Shifts
Concepts Covered :
Techniques to shift customer emotions from frustration to delight through design interventions
Learning Outcomes :
Participants will learn to identify and transform negative emotions into positive experiences
Module 4 : Design Thinking Case Study
Concepts Covered :
Practical application of design thinking with a mock customer scenario
Learning Outcomes :
Participants will apply their learning in a hands-on case study, demonstrating emotional storytelling and design interventions
Learning Outcomes
What Will You Learn?
- Understand the foundational principles of design thinking and how it applies across industries.
- Gain deep insights into the Navarasas and how emotions influence customer interactions.
- Explore the Four Noble Truths and their relevance to problem-solving and empathy in design.
- Develop skills in active listening and observation, capturing authentic customer experiences.
- Learn how to transform negative emotions into positive ones through design interventions.
Apply your knowledge in real-world case studies, using enactments and storytelling to refine your design approach.
Intended Audience & Eligibility
Intended Audience :
Undergraduate and post graduate Students of any discipline
Eligibility :
Participant must be doing or just completed under graduation or post-graduation in any subject or discipline from an Indian university.
Session Details
Mode of Workshop : ONLINE
Date of the Workshop :
11th, 18th, 25th July & 1st August, 2025
Timings(IST) :
06:00 p.m. – 09:00 p.m.(everyday)
Certification Criteria
- Attendance for all 4 days + Final project presentation participation.
- Class participation (based on faculty members’ subjective call)
- Certification will NOT given only on attendance.
Type of Assignment :
Active participation, the discussion raised in the workshop and the presentation of the project idea during the workshop are essential.
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