"Metaphor for Delhi"

Hello people!
I have been discussing my college projects and the work I have done. This one is for a module named Design Methods in which we were asked to work in groups of five on a topic based on Delhi, which we chose as "Delhi Tourism". Now, since a large chunk of the module was based on this particular theme, it involved various activities of which I would be sharing the final outcomes.

The process involved lots of brainstorming, mind-mapping, secondary and primary research. One of the primary objectives was to symbolize Delhi as a metaphor. With the data collected and analysed, a few points which stood out were that Delhi, as a city, has various layers composed of people belonging to every strata, religion, mindset; as a city, it has significant structures, buildings and areas ranging from those built decades ago, to the ones which are very recent or are still getting built, every minute..every second..!

So, we first prepared a moodboard which highlights its attributes-

Evolution.Eclectic.Concentric

After that, we finally figured it out. We used a very regular, yet unique metaphor for Delhi..an ONION! Yes, an "onion", we felt, with all of it's goods and bads, represents THE DELHI. :)

Delhi has a history of 100 years and has progressed and developed with every reign of any dynasty, the rule of every invader, may it be Mughals, Mauryas, British etc. and now finally, the Indian Government!

Delhi has evolved from the seven cities near Qutub Minar, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanam, Ferozabad, city around purana quila, Shahjahanabad and New Delhi. Most of us are very much familiar with the beauty of Delhi city which is visible in its modernity- the mall culture, highways, hotels and restaurants, clubs, pubs, huge buildings etc., but hardly anybody has seen or even knows about the deep cultural background and the deep-rooted history of the city. Well, if we go a little more deep, it can be said that Delhi, as a city, needs to be peeled off to get to its true inner beauty. It is shelling and layers of hidden history and glory, which to date is not forgotten but lies deep within. With each peeling off of a layer of Delhi one immerses deeper into its ever lasting nostalgic as well as modern city, art and cultural dimensions, food- from street to world, spirituality and religion, greenery and open spaces. Every sense is triggered with each layer.

So, just like an onion has an exterior layer which is hard and protective and inner layers which are softer and more tasteful, Delhi has an exterior layer of showy, shiny places which are newly constructed and thus, strong and attention- seeking; while, as we go deeper into the layers, the history gets deeper and the city gets older! And this is how we presented it- 

Different layers of onion with structures of different eras

Another product that we developed to talk further about it's attribute of "triggering all the five senses" is a coffee table book consisting of how the city of Delhi talks to each one of our five senses. Following are a few glimpses of it.

• The Sensory Immersion
• Sense of Hearing

 

• Sense of Vision
• Sense of Touch

• Sense of Taste
• Sense of Smell