From Handicraft to Spacecraft: India’s Design Policy Journey
This piece was authored by WDO President-Elect Pradyumna Vyas.
Design plays a pivotal role in fostering creativity and innovation across various sectors, contributing to both cultural heritage and economic growth. For its part, the Indian design economy encompasses a wide spectrum of design-related activities, including traditional crafts, industrial design, communication design, fashion and textile design, interior and furniture design, aerospace design, and beyond.
The establishment of WDO Educational Member National Institute of Design in 1961 marked a pivotal moment in India’s design education landscape. Under the guidance of Charles and Ray Eames (The India Report 1958), the institute pioneered design education in industrial design, communication design, and textiles apparel design, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical experience. This approach proved crucial for social and sustainable development, positioning the institute as a global leader in envisioning design’s role alongside technology and management for national progress.
Collaborating with WDO Promotional Member the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2000, initiatives were launched to promote design within the industry. The inaugural Design Summit in 2001 brought together academia, industry, and government to underscore the significance of design in development. Through extensive collaboration with CII, the National Design Policy was formulated and ratified by the government of India in 2007 and has significantly influenced the design industry.
The primary objective of India’s National Design Policy is to enhance the competitiveness of its industries. Recognizing the pivotal role of design in this endeavour, the National Design Policy aimed to elevate Indian design through a comprehensive framework, focusing on regulation, promotion and institutional support to align Indian design education with global standards. It emphasized the creation of original Indian designs, leveraging the country’s rich craft and cultural heritage to position India as a hub for design innovation and export. Key provisions included raising awareness among manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises, about the competitive advantage of original designs, attracting investment in design-related research and development, and fostering collaboration between industry and professional designers.
“By embracing design as a strategic tool for economic and cultural development, India is charting a course towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.”
Subsequent to the policy’s implementation, the India Design Council was formed in 2009 to oversee its execution and assess its impact. Notable successes included the Design Clinic Scheme, which facilitated thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises in enhancing their products and services through design interventions, leading to significant economic impact. The establishment of new National Institutes of Design aimed to bolster the quality of human resources in the design field, while the India Design Council was tasked with research, strategy, and impact studies to enhance the country’s international competitiveness. The introduction of the India Design Mark (i — Mark) further incentivized industries to prioritize design excellence. Looking ahead, efforts are underway to revise the National Design Policy, with a focus on digital inclusion and ethical practices, reflecting the evolving needs of the industry and society.
Through continued collaboration between government, industry, and academia, India aims to further harness the transformative power of design for sustainable development and global competitiveness. To maintain the momentum of this design-led movement in India, CII is actively involved in promoting design initiatives for competitive, sustainable development. CII’s design initiatives focus on building the design movement of India. The inaugural Design Summit is one of the most coveted platforms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. CII Design Excellence Awards strive to create new paradigms of design in India while promoting the unique amalgamation of traditional with contemporary design. Continuing its work, CII’s National Committee on Design engages with policymakers to advocate for policies that support the growth of the design ecosystem in India.
In the years to come, India’s design policy is poised to evolve further, leveraging emerging and sustainable technologies to drive inclusive growth and societal well-being. By embracing design as a strategic tool for economic and cultural development, India is charting a course towards a more prosperous and sustainable future. Through continuous collaboration and investment, the nation is poised to unlock new opportunities and realize the full potential of design in transforming lives and shaping society.
Pradyumna Vyas is the Senior Advisor of Design Promotion and Innovation at Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He was the former Director of National Institute of Design (NID), India’s premier design institute. Vyas holds a Masters in Industrial Design from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and was awarded an ‘Honorary Master of Arts’ degree in 2010 from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, United Kingdom. He is currently serving as 2023–2025 President-Elect of World Design Organization.
