India, July 25 -- Design is everywhere, says A Balasubramaniam, 64.

In the sheen of a flashlight's reflective rim. In the distance between two steps in a staircase. In the way a newspaper folds so readily to fit into the hand.

"And yet there are no fixed rules," Balasubramaniam says, smiling. "One doesn't have to work with pre-established choices. In fact, design, especially product design, compels one to reimagine the status quo."

Over five decades, Balasubramaniam, founding director of the Institute of Design at JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) in Jaipur, has helped shape hundreds of products: torches, trucks, hospital trolleys, pedestal fans for outdoor venues, headphones, refrigerators, table lamps.

He has worked with companies suc...