The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) is India’s first automotive design school, and is set to begin operations in 2026. Developed by XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), the design school will focus on developing a uniquely Indian design philosophy for the automotive sector, says Avik Chattopadhyay, Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of XADM.

The 'Groundbreaking' and 'Foundation Stone Laying' ceremony was held at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus on June 16, in virtual attendance of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, XLRI Delhi-NCR director Dr. K.S. Casimir, and Avik Chattopadhyay.

  • INDEA courses will not be in a traditional classroom arrangement
  • Final term project to be a a working prototype that is collaborative
  • INDEA curriculum, classes, courses and more
  • CAD, 3D modeling, clay modeling, and a number of other skills that will be imparted
  • Behind the vision is XLRI's new school, which will depart from the traditional classroom mode.

"What we are constructing is not a classroom; we are constructing a working studio," Chattopadhyay stated. "From paper sketching, to CAD, to 3D modeling, to clay modeling to scale, to 1:1 clay modeling, to prototyping — all will be learned there." The course would have management and design incorporated into it and taught by practitioners from around the world. "Number one is design plus management. Number two is practitioner taught. And number three, it's in a working environment," he said. "There are not class rooms in school, only a single big hall where the 25 students will be seated. Otherwise, they will be in the room working on clay modelling, the CAD-CAM room, the prototyping workshop, or the additive manufacturing lab."

First year to have 25 students with faculty from Japan, Germany, and India

The Centre will start in the first year with 25 students and teachers from Japan, Germany, and India. The students will complete the two-year program through the process of working together on a working prototype. "Your last term is going to be an assignment where all 25 students in a batch come up with a working prototype. Create it. Show it to the world," he declared.

Call for an Indian design school

'Make in India' will be doomed to fail if put alongside 'Design in India', feels Chattopadhyay

Chattopadhyay focuses on India beyond 'Make in India.' "'Make in India' won't be successful unless you pair it with 'Design in India', he said. "As long as you don't treat a design as an investment, you'll always treat it as a cost. We treat production engineering as an investment, we treat a new assembly line as an investment. Why not design the same way?

Building an Indian design identity

To him, it is a journey to develop an Indian design identity that may span decades, possibly even three decades. "Perhaps three decades from now we can be creators of something so called Indian Design DNA, very distinctive way of designing something or very distinctive way of seeing mobility, which is very Indian," Chattopadhyay described.

Chattopadhyay equated the aim to the way Italian cars are identifiable independent of the brand. "Even if you remove the Ferrari or Lamborghini logos and tell people where in the world this is from, they'll most likely guess Italy. There's something about their design language that's beautifully stereotypically Italian.". There is a bit of edginess to Italian style, and you need to study the Romans at a cultural level in order to understand why Italians build their machines the way they do, be it a tractor, a car, or a motorcycle. That's why a Cagiva does not resemble a BMW.

Chattopadhyay feels that Indian culture is already rich enough on an aesthetic level to produce an original car vocabulary. "We have it in our architecture, our food, our music, our art, our clothes, so why can't we have it in our cars?" he asked. "I'm not saying that it has to look very Indian, but very subliminally, the Indian design DNA has to seep in, maybe in the way you design your interiors, the kind of materials you use.".

Chattopadhyay also wishes industry players will appreciate the business value of good design. "Design is not necessarily costly. If you get it right, design is very lucrative," he emphasized. "Consider Tata Punch: People purchase it primarily due to its design, both exterior and interior. And you're selling mountain loads and mountain loads of this vehicle. So you're making profits."

He also stated that India requires better coordination between automakers, studios, and research organizations to be capable enough to explore its design potential fully. "Whether it is an automaker, a studio, or a research organisation — that coordination is very much needed to support our own strength in design," he further stated.

In a source of pride for Indian schooling, Ekya School JP Nagar has been selected to the Top 10 Most Innovative Schools in the World in T4 Education's World's Best School Prizes 2025. Revealed on June 18, the announcement places Ekya alongside world-class education thought leaders based on its innovative education and pedagogy.

This prestige international award honors schools that are revolutionizing how to make a difference in education. For Ekya, that difference is in having incorporated Design Thinking into its K–12 curriculum — teaching students about the power of applying systematic, creative problem-solving to real problems of waste management, public health, and social inclusion.

We are completely grateful for this award from across the globe," added Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools. "We always hoped to provide our students with the mind-set and capabilities to innovate and bring lasting positive change.".

Ekya was established in 2011 and, since then, has had a great reputation for high academic standards combined with innovation. Its approach is a blend of challenging academics and experiential, interdisciplinary learning — wherein not only are students educated in essential subject matter, but they are also immersed in design challenges and launch projects beyond the classroom.

By cultivating a culture of discovery and collaboration, the school does not just prepare students to pass tests but to lead in the world.

T4 Education Prize also means prioritizing schools to lead the change. Ekya's award is not just a reflection of its excellent learning standards but of its broader vision for education transformation — one in which learners are creatives, problem-solvers, and agents for change.

Through this acknowledgment, Ekya Schools join the world education map, showing how the innovation art can start in a classroom and ripple throughout communities.

To parents and educators who envision tomorrow, Ekya offers a powerful example: where every student is not just a learner, but a potential innovator.

Design, designers, and the core principles of design are among the most searched topics in 2025.In a world where success depends on creating intuitive, engaging, and effective experiences, visual design has become more important than ever. Visual design is no longer just about making things look good, it now focuses on providing an experience, a pull, and something creative. Whether you’re an aspiring designer, a design student, or a professional looking to enhance your work, understanding the basics of visual design and its guiding principles is essential in today’s competitive world.

What Is Visual Design?

Visual design is both an art and science of shaping the appearance of information, products and brands. It is a way to blend aesthetics and usability, using color, typography, layout, and imagery to convey thoughts and lead users through the digital or print experience. With the graphic design industry worth over $45.8 billion worldwide and increasing, India is in great need of professionals in visual designs in the tech, media, advertising, and education industries.

Who is a Visual Designer?

A visual designer is a creative professional who crafts engaging visual experiences for websites, apps, advertisements, and more. They blend creativity with technical expertise, collaborating with UX/UI designers, marketers, and developers to ensure every visual element serves a purpose. In 2025, Indian companies are actively seeking designers who can create not just beautiful, but also accessible and functional designs.

Visual Design Main Features

  • Before diving into principles, let’s look at the building blocks:
  • Line: Guides the viewer’s eye and creates structure.
  • Shape & Form: Defines objects and spaces in a design.
  • Color: Sets the mood, attracts attention, and builds brand identity.
  • Typography: Conveys level and voice; makes it easy to read.
  • Texture: Gives real dimension and touch.
  • Space (White Space): Prevents clutter and improves focus.
  • Value: It means how light or dark an object is, which gives depth and accentuation

Principles of Visual Design

The art of visual design has proven strategies, which assist designers to sequence and group items in the most effective ways. Here are the most essential principles you need to know:

Principle

What It Means & Why It Matters

Balance

Distributes visual weight evenly. Can be symmetrical (formal) or asymmetrical (dynamic), ensuring stability.

Contrast

Highlights differences (color, size, shape) to draw attention and improve readability.

Emphasis

Creates a focal point so viewers know where to look first.

Hierarchy

Organizes information by importance, guiding the user’s eye through the design

Repetition

Repeats elements (colors, fonts, shapes) for consistency and brand recognition.

Alignment

Keeps elements visually connected and organized which is crucial for clean, professional layouts.

Proximity

Groups related items together to create order and clarity.

Unity

Ensures all elements feel cohesive, giving a sense of completeness.

Movement

Directs the viewer’s gaze and creates flow, often using lines or shapes.

White Space

Uses empty areas to reduce clutter and highlight key elements.

 

Why are Principles of Visual Design Important?

Once such principles are wisely used, information can be found easier, brands seem reliable, and designs are memorable. To give a little more detail perhaps an intelligently designed homepage, which embraces hierarchy and intelligent use of color can be proven to increase user interaction by as much as 30% in recent studies within the industry.

Fast Rules to Future Visual Designers

  1. Learn from the best: Analyse websites, applications, and adverts you are fond of- how do they incorporate balance, contrast, and hierarchy?
  2. Practice with purpose: Redesign everyday items (posters, menus, social posts) using these principles.
  3. Keep informed: books, blogs, and online communities will help you stay abreast of trends and tools you can exploit.
  4. Create a portfolio: Present your knowledge of visual design concepts through actual or dummy work.

The core of effective communication in the digital era is visual design. This will not only make your work appear good but it shall also make your work perform well- which opens rooms to great heights of the design world that is blooming in India.

Innovation has become a critical trend in the corporate environment of the modern world, as well as in the creative career field and the overall life of individuals living in it. Some of the most revolutionary concepts tend to be created at the juncture of art and science as the creativity and analytical thinking are paired. The described synergy is not a theoretical construct only, it also is supported by the recent research, trends, and facts that demonstrate how professionals and aspirants can become real top designers in 2025.

Art-Science is the Engine of Innovation

Recent studies across the world reveal the contribution of art and science interplay which is spearheading some significant inventions. As an example, in 2025, scientific teams are using AI in order to decode the human brain, and it is expected to have detailed brain maps that will transform healthcare and cognitive sciences.

All these developments owe to the actual collaboration between scientists and artists/designers to bring these complex data to perception and available to the general population thus resulting in better communication and resolution to the problems. For instance, the Princeton University Art of Science exhibition illustrates how art and science in combination extend limits of human imaginations and knowledge and lead to innovations in any field of life.

Understanding Design Thinking in 2025

The idea of design thinking, which blends the approaches of empathy, creativity, and scientific interpretation, has turned into a point that changes everything in organizations all over the world. The Design Management Institute has also made claims that firms that took design thinking seriously have been able to outperform the S&P 500 by an unimaginable 219 percent in the last ten years. 

There was a research carried out by IBM indicating that design thinking can save one 75% of risk related to the project, shorten time to market by 50%, and enhance the efficiency of the team by 20%. Though it’s an old report and the numbers would have drastically changed, what matters is taking the average and understanding where the market has reached, and where it will go  in the coming years. The industries of countries in the world are expected to augment the global design thinking market at a compound annual growth rate of 10.67 in the period between 2023 and the year 2030, with over $2.5 billion anticipated to be spent on its application by 2028 in both start-ups and existing businesses. 

Roles And Skills of Designers in 2025

There is an utmost need for skilled designers, and the role they perform is changing awfully fast because of technology and change in consumer expectation. UX/UI designers, motion designers, product designers, and AR/VR specialists are the most requested careers in design where creativity and technical skills are needed. 

In order to become a successful designer one would have to learn a wide skill set:

  1. Corporate insight and inter-team charm: It is essential to know business terms and it is also beneficial that there should be a smooth transition in different business departments.
  2. Technical ability/knowledge: You need to know how to code, integrate AI and new design programs such as Figma and Sketch.
  3. Understanding the users: To develop solutions that will really appeal to end-users, top designers carry out deep user research and introduce empathy to their tasks.
  4. Flexibility and unceasing education: As the new waves of creativity based on the use of artificial intelligence, the culture of immersive cultures through the use of AR/VR, and the idea of more environmentally friendly design methods gain momentum, being up to date is no longer optional.
  5. Inclusive and Emotional design: In the 2025, the development of emotion-invoking experience that can be accessible to all users becomes a major concern.

The undeniable fact is that innovation space is changing rapidly even though the level of investment in science and innovation in the world declined in 2023, advancements in technology in areas such as AI, genome sequencing, materials science and where interdisciplinary research is fostered are healthy. 

In design, AI has become an addition that has not only automated mundane activities, but also increased creativity and popularized design and thus the industry has experienced a boom in the number of new entrants and new ideas in the field. This will be mirrored by the UX market growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2% between 2021 to 2028.

What to Do to Become a Best Designer: Practical Advice

In order to become the best in this changing world, professionals and hopefuls ought to:

  1. Develop Curiosity in Other Areas:  Be inspirationally motivated by art and science in exploring innovation.
  2. Obtain mastery of analytical and creative tools: Remain tight with design software, AI, and the fundamentals of coding.
  3. Put empathy and user research in first place: Put user needs at the center of each design decision.
  4. Embrace continuous learning: Keep in touch with trends, attend workshops and seek criticism to be ahead in the industry.
  5. Be an access and sustainability champion: Ethical, accessible and environment-friendly design.

Art and science do not just have to be fused as a theoretical desire of creativity sometimes, but as an already tested and effective pattern of innovation and career advancement. The adoption of this interdisciplinary approach by businesses and developers opens new horizons, contributes to business prosperity and determines the future of design. 

If you are the person who hopes to become a leading designer in 2025, the advice is simple: learn to be creative but scientific at the same time, be curious and never ever stop studying. It is where real innovation and career success starts.

When someone says think outside the box, we picture in our mind the breaking of boundaries and thinking outside the ordinary. But ever thought who designed that box? What if you can be the one to create the very box others are challenged to think outside of? That is the essence of product design, a place where creativity is combined with a purpose, and designers make the world a bit in a way that most people never notice, yet could not live without. When you make people go like, “oh i could have made that,” that’s exactly when you can claim yourself to be the best product designer. Let’s have a look at this field. 

Indian Product Design Trends and Insights 

A combination of technology and sustainability coupled with an increasing demand for innovation has led to the boom of product design in India. It is estimated that the industry will be worth more than 24 billion US dollars by the year 2030, and it is growing at a rate of 23-25 percent every year. The rise will result in the generation of millions of new jobs, and product design will be one of the most future-proof and fulfilling careers a creative individual can pursue. Be it technology, automobiles, health and wellness, or consumer durables, product designers are a hot property in any industry, and their role can only increase in the future.

One of the key factors contributing to such expansion is the combination of technology and sustainability that define the future of design. Nowadays product designers are fusing artificial intelligence and automation into making smarter and more adaptive products, and there is an emphasis on using eco-friendly materials and processes. The immersive experience is hugely trending, and augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and further developed 3D modeling are changing the game in terms of user engagement with products. Minimalism is still in demand, however, now it is combined with bright colors and the ability to interact. Notably, accessible and inclusive design is not an option anymore, products have to be made to work with all people, irrespective of their ability.

What makes Product Design a good career choice?

  • Diverse Opportunities: Product designers are in demand everywhere: at tech startup companies and car manufacturers, in healthcare and consumer goods, and even in the gaming industry.
  • Lucrative Salaries: Entry level candidates will get a starting salary of 7-12 lakh rupees per year and experienced designers in technology centers such as Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune can expect to earn more.
  • Creative Impact: You will get an opportunity to design things that the customers did not realize they wanted, and in many cases, they will never know who designed it. That is the magic, you see, because your work is in the everyday life and it is silently improving it.
  • Global Flexibility: Through remote working and global demand, Indian product designers are now designing products for companies globally and that too, in the comfort of their homes.

India also offers some of the best education opportunities in the world to aspiring product designers. Here are the colleges you can enroll to pursue Product design: 

  • Lovely Professional University
  • MIT ID Avantika University
  • Parul University
  • Chandigarh University
  • Swarrnim Startup and Innovations University
  • Ecole Intuit Lab
  • JECRC University
  • Bennett University
  • JD Institute of Fashion Technology
  • DIT University
  • Universal Ai University
  • Cindrebay School of Design
  • Indus University
  • Jaipur National University
  • Amity University
  • Alliance University
  • Ajeenkya DY Patil University
  • IILM University
  • Ganpat University
  • Sandip University
  • RIMT University
  • Sage University

Being an artistically talented individual is not the only thing that will help one to succeed on the path of product designing. The modern designer is an artist, an engineer and a strategist rolled into one. They also have to remain inquisitive, constantly acquire new tools and trends, and be able to combine creativity with real-life problem-solving. It is important to understand user needs and business goals, as well as be able to accept feedback and pivot fast. The emergence of remote work and worldwide demand has meant that Indian product designers are today working with foreign firms, and in most cases, do this in the comfort of their homes.

Product design offers enormous and changing career opportunities. Some of the positions open to graduates include product designer, industrial designer, UX/UI designer, design consultant, brand manager, or even entrepreneur. With the developments in the technological landscape come new job titles such as AR/VR designer, sustainability consultant and AI product specialist, among others, letting you make an impact in even more ways.

Courses To Pursue as An Aspiring Product Designer 

  • Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Product Design
  • Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Product Design and Technology
  • Master of Design (M.Des) in Product Design
  • Master of Science (M.Sc) in Product Design
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Product Design
  • Diploma in Product Design
  • Certificate Course in Product Design
  • PhD in Design (Product Design Specialization)

See, the undeniable fact is that the product designers are the brains behind everyday miracles, whether it is a smartphone in your hand or an ergonomic chair, they make things that people did not realize they wanted and rarely realize who made them. Being an ardent enthusiast of creativity, technology, and bringing real change, India is your canvas as a product designer. Whenever you hear the phrase, “think outside the box,” remember: it might be your turn to create it. 

Visit the AIDAT website or call us for career consultation and become a remarkable designer who will change the world with his/her creative product designs

Designing, for many people, is a dream job that barely has a day without fun and colors. These passionate people enjoy shuffling colours, shapes, illustrations, etc., and create designs that the world didn’t know it needed. However, aspiring designers lately have one question: whether they should choose traditional design or digital design. 

Changes in design are happening fast, and now this question matters a lot. We have all seen the outrage and backlashes designers faced when Canva was introduced, when AI for design came into existence, and when designers used digital spaces to create designs. What to do: should you decide to design on paper or prefer to go digital? Since these options can be important for your career, you need to know the key things about them for making the right choice.

What is Traditional Design?

When artists use pencils, brushes, inks, paper, and canvases to design, it is called traditional design. It’s about craftsmanship, texture, and the tactile experience of creating something by hand. These designs are usually unique in their own way because of their little imperfections or qualities.

Traditional design is important in India, especially when making creative designs for luxury products, print media campaigns, designing for packages, and cultural events. Getting up close to a handmade poster or fabric will often create an emotional bond that is far harder to copy with a computer. Hence, at boutique brands, traditional design highlights the brand’s history and special craftsmanship to please customers who want high-quality things made by hands.

What is Digital Design?

Digital design means creating graphics by using computers, tablets, and applications such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or Procreate. It is quick, able to change, and can be expanded without difficulty. It is simple for designers to change, copy, and fit their work for websites, apps, social networks, and digital advertising.

Because smartphones and easy internet are available to more people in India, digital design is now in high demand there. It is very important for tech startups, e-commerce, and digital marketing to be able to quickly make and modify their designs. In this case, when a brand launches an Instagram, YouTube, and mobile app campaign, its digital designs should be easy to alter and fit all the mediums involved. 

Key Differences That Matter to You

Aspect

Traditional Design

Digital Design

Tools

Pencils, brushes, inks, physical media

Computers, tablets, software

Flexibility

Limited; edits can be time-consuming

Highly flexible; easy to edit and adapt

Production Time

Longer; manual processes

Faster; quick iterations and sharing

Cost

Higher material costs

Lower; reusable assets and templates

Sustainability

Uses physical materials, more waste

Eco-friendly; digital files, less waste

Career Scope

Branding, print, luxury markets

Tech, digital marketing, e-commerce

 

Which career path to choose? 

Traditional and digital design are similar to two different languages. Being able to do both gives you the skill of a designer who speaks two languages, making it easier to get more opportunities. However, if you have to start with only one, here’s an easy way to decide:

Go with traditional design if:

You like to get involved in creative tasks, appreciate high-quality workmanship, and wish to find jobs in branding, packaging, or luxury professions. Graphic artists who want something special and individual in their work will like this style.

Opt for Digital Design if:

You are interested in having the ability to work fast, respond quickly, and be part of the tech, advertising, or social media sectors. To use India’s internet market, one must master digital skills and handle different platforms.

Digital tools are transforming traditional design

A transformation is taking place in India’s design sector, where old techniques are combined with modern digital methods. Right now, a lot of artists and designers sketch using digital tablets and styluses, which allows them to keep their drawings authentic while also working with modern tools. Besides the ease, a big part of this shift lies in exploring new creative solutions. 

Because of the digital shift, people can work with teams far away from them more easily than previously. Even though digitalisation has raised some concerns among artists, Indian designers say it helps them work on designs of a wider range and quality. They are able to test different ideas, correct any mistakes in seconds, and design for different uses like print and animation.

In the near future, understanding the strengths of both old-style designs and those created on computers will become the main goal. Since digital tools are a necessity today due to market trends, young Indian designers should still not ignore classic skills to make their work better and more real.

All in all, no matter if your interest is in classic pen-and-paper design or modern digital designs, it’s important to know that great design means creativity, sharing a story, and keeping your audience engaged, always.

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is going to introduce a new four-year undergraduate programme, BTech in Design, from the 2025-26 academic year. It will be administered by the Department of Design and would provide students with technical skills and design thinking as well as training for socio-technical challenges.

To become eligible for pursuing the BTech in Design course at IIT Delhi, the candidates will need to appear and pass the JEE (Advanced) exam as well as the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED). The students would be shortlisted on both the above national-level entrance exams. Passing either of the two exams is not enough for admission into the course.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants prepared to be a part of the program should have passed Class 12 or a similar entry test in 2024 or 2025. The eligibility also involves securing marks in minimum Physics, Chemistry, and Math. UCEED eligibility requires birth after 1st October 2000. Five years age relaxation in the case of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates is admissible. Eligibility according to regulations of current standards of respective entrance tests. Procedure of application

Application through the official website of IIT Delhi admissions will be made. The candidates should ensure they have present valid scores in JEE Advanced and in UCEED prior to starting the procedure of application.

The moment application dates are made public, the students would register, fill in their information, and report about taking up the course BTech in Design. Submission of applications, counselling dates, and seat allotment dates would be made available on the website of the institute, and the candidates would continue to visit the site at regular intervals so that they are aware of each step of progress.

Programme structure

The program of BTech in Design shall be a four-year program with 155 credit requirement. The program will have an intake of 20 students in the first phase.

The first half of the program shall be from the core discipline of design, and the second half from interdisciplinary programs of other departments, centres, and schools of the institute.

The course offers design paradigms research, design prototyping, solid and fluid mechanics, environmental study, research methods, communication and team working, design entrepreneurship, and exhibition design. The course is centered on building a systematic method and problem-solving technique in design and professional and teamwork skills.

Implementation of this scheme is simultaneous with overall curriculum changes that are going to be introduced at IIT Delhi from the academic session 2025–26 for courses of B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc, and Ph.D.

The students under this scheme will enjoy greater freedom to select electives in every stream such as science, engineering, humanities, and management.

There will also be a Honours stream for BTech students, and if they wish to continue on postgraduate level, then there will be a combined BTech and MTech study in the third year, in which they will be awarded both degrees after five years.

In addition, the first-year students will now be experiencing direct contact with their parent departments, and the size of the first-year class will be smaller to facilitate more contact among staff and students. Moral, environmental, and creative aspects of learning and experiential learning will be given more prominence.

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