The establishment of NID was a result of several forces, both global and local. The late 1950s saw a confluence of these forces, and this time would be a significant one for Indian culture and education. This was a time of reappraisal and reconstruction in a newly independent India. A young nation was confronted with the mammoth task of nation building, of balancing age old traditions with modern technology and ideas. The Modern Movement, the philosophy of Machine Aesthetics, and revolutionary experimentation in the arts, architecture and design were all taking place at the same time. There was a search for the Indian identity across all aspects of life.

In 1955 Pupul Jayaker, the noted writer on Indian craft traditions and the founder of the Indian Handlooms and Handicrafts Export Council (HHEC) met the renowned American designer Charles Eames at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The Museum had organised a unique exhibition titled The Textiles and Ornamental Arts of India. This would be the beginning of a lifelong dialogue between these two eminent individuals.

At the same time the Government of India was considering establishing an institute of design, under the advice of Pupul Jayaker and other like-minded people. The 1950s were a decade of rapid industrialization in India and clearly, the need for such an institute grew stronger. In 1957 the Government of India requested the Ford Foundation to invite Charles and Ray Eames to visit India. Charles and Ray Eames travelled to all parts of the country, meeting and talking to writers, craftspeople, architects, scientists, industrialists, educators and philosophers. They took hundreds of photographs of their travels.

Today the National Institute of Design is internationally acclaimed as one of the finest educational and research institutions for Industrial, Communication, Textile and IT Integrated (Experiential) Design. It is an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Head of School

Krishna Amin-Patel spent about four decades as a design educator at NID. She has also taught at various design institutes across the USA. She has been a visiting faculty at NID from 1977–1980. From 1981–1997, she was a full time faculty at NID. During this time, Krishna taught basic and advanced courses in both Textile Design and Apparel Design, and actively contributed to curriculum development of both disciplines in capacity of coordinator and faculty. Her work was published in Fiberarts Design Book 7 in 2004. Krishna again joined NID as a faculty in November 2011. She has had the privilege of exhibiting her own work at several platforms within the country and overseas.

Courses Overview: Undergraduate and Postgraduate

Bachelor of Textile Design
Bachelor of Graphic Design
Bachelor of Film and Video Communication
Bachelor of Exhibition Design
Master of Apparel Design
Master of Design for Retail Experience
Master of Lifestyle Accessory Design
Master of Textile Design

Noteworthy Alumni

Paromita Banerjee, is a leading Indian fashion designer and a member of the Fashion Design Council of India

Tuition and Scholarship Information

At the moment the school does not offer any scholarships. Yearly Expenses including Tuition Fees can be found by clicking here.