1952 - 56
Studied at Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai.

1956 - 60
Worked as artist with then D.J. Keymer & Co. (now OBM).

1961 - 83
Worked as Art Director at Ulka Advertising, Mumbai.

1983 - 96
Faculty at the Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay
- taught courses on Calligraphy, Typography and Type Design.

1997 - 2008
Type Design Specialist, at
Centre for Development of Advance Computing, Mumbai,
(formerly NCST).



Prof. R. K. Joshi was involved in multi-lingual communication activities as part of the Indian advertising industry for almost 30 years.

As faculty at the Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, he initiated academic and research projects in promoting Indian languages and scripts in the field of design and computer technology. He influenced a whole generation of students on typography and type design. Some of these students went on to design typefaces in many of the Indian languages.

One of the most memorable academic events at IDC, ‘Akshrayaoga’ in 1986, was held under his co-ordination. He had also coordinated an international exposition on Calligraphy, ‘Akara’, in N Delhi in 1988. Students remember him for being a highly motivating force in typography and Indian type design.

Professor Joshi conducted a wide variety of activities centered around seeking and spreading knowledge on type - concrete poetry readings, workshops, seminars, demonstrations, installations, happenings, and exhibitions. On 9th February 2007, Prof Joshi had addressed the audience at the Icograda Design Week in India Conference, IIT Bombay, where he had received a standing ovation. He was presented with a Grandmaster Commendation on that occasion.

As a Visiting Type Design Specialist at the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST), he contributed in the area of language technology and type design.