XLRI Delhi-NCR and INDEA explore India's automotive design identity

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), in collaboration with XLRI-Delhi NCR, organized "The INDEA Debate 2024" at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. This event provided a platform for experts in automotive design and design management to discuss the future of mobility design in India.

The inaugural debate focused on the topic, *"Does India Need a Design DNA?", exploring the importance of creating an automotive design language rooted in Indian culture and ethos as the country emerges as a significant global automotive hub.  

The event was inaugurated by Shri Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Retired Justice Indira Banerjee, Dr. Fr. K.S. Casimir, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR, and Avik Chattopadhyay, Chairperson of XADM and Founder of INDEA. This marked the beginning of INDEA's efforts to promote thought leadership in automotive design.  

The panel of speakers included Jean-Paul Oyono, industrial designer and member of INDEA's Academic Council; Anand Sharma, co-founder of Studio 34 Designart Pvt. Ltd.; Saurabh Singh, head of design at Maruti Suzuki India; Sathiyaseelan G, vice president of design and styling at Ashok Leyland; Sudhir Sharma, founder and CEO of IndiDesign; Bikash Jyoti Biswas, head of design at Ather Energy; Ravi Bhatia, president and director of JATO Dynamics India; and Gautam Sen, an automotive expert and journalist. The session was moderated by Avik Chattopadhyay.  

Dr. Fr. K.S. Casimir highlighted the educational significance of the event, stating that initiatives like The INDEA Debate aim to inspire critical thinking and purposeful action. He emphasized how discussions on design could drive meaningful changes in the automotive sector and contribute to societal progress.  

I.V. Rao, an industry veteran and mentor to INDEA, remarked that exploring whether India needs its unique design DNA is a timely and transformative question. He noted that such discussions encourage deeper engagement with the role of design in reflecting cultural and societal values.  

Avik Chattopadhyay, in his address, underscored the importance of the debate topic, describing it as an opportunity to reflect on India's identity and aspirations within the global automotive industry. He emphasized the role of such dialogues in fostering innovation and shaping the future of mobility design.  

The event featured contributions from seasoned professionals and young designers, facilitating a productive exchange of ideas. The insights from the discussions will be compiled into a white paper to guide future initiatives aimed at developing India’s automotive design identity.  

The debate was attended by a diverse audience, including design professionals, students, and automotive enthusiasts. It was also live-streamed on YouTube to reach a broader audience.  

The INDEA Debate 2024 highlighted the importance of defining India’s automotive design DNA as a step toward establishing a unique identity in the global automotive landscape.