About

Mandar is an Electrical Engineer, Industrial Designer and Design Educator, though currently he calls himself a design generalist.

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A keen observer by nature, design for him is a juggling act of creation, communication and implementation, with user emotion at the core of all activities.

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His current role is building a design school from grounds up and conceptualizing the future generation of designers at Strate school of Design – Bangalore, where he heads the Academics and the Product design department.

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Prior to Strate, Mandar was in a leadership role at ISD – Rubika India, heading an international team of designers to conceive and build conducive and inspiring learning environments. He has been appreciated for his impact on students and his approach of inclusive learning.

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As a design coach and teacher for over a decade, he has taught design thinking, design process, speculative design, design visualization and other course at postgraduate and undergraduate level. His teaching methods, engagement and vision has had a positive impact on student's thinking and their creative confidence.

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An alumnus of IDC School of design (IIT BOMBAY), he has worked across various domains including automotive, medical products, lifestyle products, retail environments, FMCG and point of sale, creating products, services and experiences. 

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Mandar resides in Bangalore with his family.

He can be reached at mandar.j.kale@gmail.com