Synopsis

Home furnishing industry has been vibrant and happeningplace in the textile industry in the last one decade both in India and elsewhere. Designers, producers and the marketers endeavor to read the consumeraspirations better. However, many in the Indian exports Industry have their owntroubles and concerns. While explorations and experiments in every possibledirection are continuously taking place, real industry leaders are yet toemerge. Most of it is due to the design diversity that is engulfing everyproduct line available and design is increasingly being recognized as thedriving force.

In recent years due to consumer polarization, stiffcompetition within the industry and general access to media, role of textiledesign has changed in the country and elsewhere, both in terms of practice andappreciation. People are beginning to question the role and status of textiledesign in a broader context.

The paper articulates five different design case studiesthat are gathered from the real experiences and touch upon following aspectswhile deliberating on several other design related issues and opportunities.

• Creating a product range that is design led and contextual to contemporary scenarios in the export markets.
• Creating design benchmarks within available commercial framework to pursue creative superiority.
• Defining role of design in building business strategies.
• Re-evaluating the process of textile design development for Indian environment. Can the current state be the creative route to future?

Several situation specific issues, which relate to designactivity in India that involve many social, cultural and economic perspectivesand have direct bearing on design solutions are evaluated and provided for. Inseveral of these case studies the approach of design has been to bring increative sophistication and reduce the factor of anticipation.

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About the Author:

The authoris Senior Faculty (Textile, Apparel & Accessory Design), Chairperson,Design Foundation Studies & International Programmes, National Institute ofDesign, Ahmedabad, India.