Importance of design can’t be ignored: NID director

National Institute of Design (NID) showcased its design: Design Clinic Scheme (DCS) on Wednesday, through an exhibition held on products of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs). The exhibition also marked World Industrial Design Day (WIDD).

The DCS, supported by the ministry of MSME, conducted 129 design awareness seminars and several orientation programmes and design workshops. A total of 336 design consultants, 131 design firms, 18 design institutes, 95 students, 136 MSME associations, 371 MSME units and 14 government organizations registered under the project.

Stressing on the need for good designs today, director Pradyumna Vyas said, "India is facing stiff global competition. There is a growing need to make our products world class. The importance of design cannot be ignored by companies."

 Vyas added that more products will evolve through the project. "This scheme can bring about a design movement in the country. It is an ambitious scheme and the industry will surely benefit from this. We will be churning out new products."

Arvind Patwari, director MSME, was also present on the occasion. "Companies cannot ignore the importance of designs strategically used for development. There is a growing need to make our designs more competitive," he said.

The products on display ranged from the jewellery making process in Imphal to utilitarian pots made of terra cotta. Among the more complicated designs were a redesigned mist machine and bottle cooler.

However, the exhibit which grabbed the most eyeballs was the visitor identification system, a compact machine by Scrum System which was recently used at the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai. The touch screen machine helped issue 7,000 passes to security agencies thus helping in better identification.