Arav Tewari: Coding the Future
Making ideas come to life seems to be in Arav Tewari’s DNA. Arriving from India to begin his first year, Tewari was already well-versed in coding and animation; he had also begun exploring AI. “You have to leave your comfort zone,” he says in explaining why he crossed the globe, his sights set on Parsons’ BFA Design and Technology program and its unique curriculum.
As if freshman year weren’t busy enough, Tewari took on an additional challenge: entering LG Electronics’ Wonderbox Showcase, a competition for U.S. art and design college students. Contestants were asked to create an original animation interpreting the company’s slogan, “Life’s Good.”.
“For me, what makes life good is experiences—being outdoors and in nature,” says Tewari. His submission, titled Peace Is Within, features a pair of animated characters surfing and relaxing in a verdant landscape. He and the two other finalists were invited to appear on The Drew Barrymore Show, on which his first-place win was announced. Tewari took home a $25,000 cash prize from the competition, and his 3D animation was featured on LG’s billboard in New York City’s Times Square.
Tewari is excited by the creative potential of the metaverse and immersive experiences, even as he remains wary of the ways “the algorithm” can rule our lives. He is now planning to engage in a design exploration of the opportunities and pitfalls presented by today’s technology. “I would like to take my existential thoughts and bring people into them,” he says.
Parsons seems to be the perfect environment for Tewari to explore his passions. His Design and Technology program classes push him to delve into new worlds and learn new skills while remaining mindful of the bigger picture. “The world is changing faster than anyone can anticipate,” he says, “and if there’s one major that’s constantly changing and helping us keep pace, it’s the BFA in Design and Technology.”
@arav_colliderscope