Designing the Future: The Role of Design in India’s Economic and Technological Growth

B design course in Haryana

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a powerful statement: in addition to ‘Make in India’, we should ‘Design in India’. The vision, while directed at the IT Industry, reflects a transformative shift in how India views its future role in the global economy. While ‘Make in India’ has been instrumental in establishing the subcontinental powerhouse as a manufacturing hub, ‘Design in India’ signals its ambition to shape its footprint on the next phase of global innovation. From producing to putting design takes center stage: it’s not just driving not just the aesthetics of products but also user experience, technology, and business strategy.

The design community in India, and of course, design students at Rishihood University, should be really encouraged and thrilled by this and the contribution they can make through courses like the B.Design program. We have been preparing our students to become leaders not only in design but in solving interdisciplinary problems at the convergence of design, technology, and entrepreneurship. The time is ripe for India to embrace design as a core competency in its economic and industrial future, and our university is positioned to play a pivotal role in this next journey India is set to embark upon.

The Growing Importance of Design in India’s Economy

India’s economic landscape has undergone some seismic shifts and has gone from strength to strength . From being a major player in the services and software industries, the country is now shifting focus towards developing its manufacturing and innovation capabilities. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s exports of merchandise and services have crossed $770 billion in FY23, a remarkable achievement. However, as India aims to sustain this growth, mere manufacturing for other countries is not ideal. We need to create products and services that solve unique problems and create value—both domestically and internationally. This is where design comes in.

Design is not limited to the realm of fashion or visual arts. It has permeated industries like healthcare, tech, education, transportation, and fintech in particular. McKinsey & Company’s “The Business Value of Design” report found that companies that excel in design have 32% more revenue growth and 56% more total returns to shareholders compared to their peers. You don’t need to look far: just see how much platforms like Zerodha, Zomato, Groww, and Swiggy have grown because of their easy to use interface and user friendly UX layouts. Design-driven companies are far more customer-centric and innovative, ensuring that the products and services they create are aligned with users’ needs and preferences. In a rapidly digitizing world, good design leads to better user experiences and, ultimately, business success.

Desgining the future

A New Frontier: Creating the Best Design College in India.

At Rishihood University, one of the best design college in India, the philosophy behind our design program reflects this new era of innovation. We are not simply teaching design as a set of isolated skills or techniques but as a mindset—an approach that can be applied across disciplines to solve complex, real-world problems. Our students are trained to think about design in an interdisciplinary way, engaging with problems that span technology, social sciences, and business. We call this unique convergence of fields of Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design (TED).

This broader approach is more than just a pedagogical innovation: it aligns perfectly with the needs of industry and society today. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 50% of all employees will need reskilling, and roles that require analytical thinking and creativity will dominate. Design, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking are essential skills that equip students for the jobs of the future.

The programs we offer in technology and entrepreneurship reinforce our design curriculum, enabling students to work at the intersection of these fields. They learn to apply design thinking not just in creating a new product but also in the development of business models, digital platforms, and technological innovations. The students become adept not only at design thinking but at launching ideas into successful ventures, which is crucial in today’s startup ecosystem. India, as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, is ripe for innovation that combines these elements, and we are cultivating the next generation of leaders to fuel this movement.

UXIndia

UXIndia: Tuning into Industry Needs

Recently, our university had the privilege of participating at UXIndia, the largest international conference for UX designers in the country. This event brought together design professionals, academicians, and students to explore current trends, challenges, and opportunities in user experience design. What we discovered was that the demand for design talent is not only growing but diversifying. Industry leaders emphasized the increasing need for designers who can integrate UX principles with emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics.

At UXIndia, one of the major takeaways was how the Indian design community is now viewed as a global contender. Multinational corporations are investing in design teams in India, not just for cost-effective solutions but for high-quality innovation. According to a report by Adobe, India’s creative economy could reach $100 billion by 2025, driven largely by the rise of digital transformation and the adoption of UX design across sectors. Our program is aligned with these needs, as we are training students not just in traditional design methods but in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary approaches that will meet the demands of tomorrow’s industry.

The Economic Potential of ‘Design in India

The transition from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Design in India’ holds immense potential for the country’s economy. Design-led industries have the power to create high-value jobs and improve product competitiveness in international markets. For example, India’s textile and fashion industry, which contributes nearly 7% to the country’s GDP, can leverage better design to create globally sought-after products. Similarly, India’s tech sector, which is already a $200 billion industry, can integrate better design to enhance user experiences and build more successful digital platforms.

Moreover, design needs to further merge with entrepreneurship, an area where India is already making great strides. As the country strives to support startups through initiatives like Startup India and Digital India, it is crucial to ensure that the products and services emerging from these ventures are user-centric and innovative. Design has a vital role to play in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs: the same who will map India’s global journey ahead.

Time to Act and Lead

India is at the cusp of a design revolution, and the call for ‘Design in India’ should not be viewed as a mere tagline but a strategic initiative for the country’s economic and technological future. As educators, we have the responsibility to prepare students to meet this challenge head-on, fostering their skills in interdisciplinary design, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Rishihood University’s TED (Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design) approach is uniquely positioned to lead this shift, and we are excited to see our students becoming the leaders who will define the future of India’s design landscape. The future of innovation in India will be driven by design, and it is our mission to ensure that our students are at the forefront of this movement—creating not just for India but for the world. With the right mindset, skills, and support, we believe that our graduates will play a pivotal role in realizing the vision of ‘Design in India’, driving economic growth, technological advancement, and meaningful innovation.

Sahil Aggarwal

Co-Founder & CEO, Rishihood University

Frequently Asked Questions
The B Design course is a practical programme that aims to teach design principles and processes, equipping students with on ground knowledge about materials and various specialisations like Visual communication, product design, Interior architecture and various other creative fields of thought. Design is an important and anywhere applicable problem solving tool.
A Bachelor of Design (B.Des) is a versatile program that opens doors to exciting careers in the creative industries. From graphic design to animation, B.Des equips you with the skills to turn your artistic vision into reality. With a B.Des, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the world around you through your creative work.
Yes, you can do b.design after 12th.