Design, The Syncretic Way
As the country’s interior space grows by leaps and bounds, the sector’s leading annual showcase India Design ID returns.
By Suman Tarafdar
As India becomes one of the leading economies globally, it is no surprise that it is simultaneously seeing an increasing spend on living well. Institutions to homes, hotels, real estate and malls – the move beyond the functional has been a story that has kept growing. Both international trends and domestic innovation have seen major players gain ground in this burgeoning space. According to Mordor Intelligence, the India interior design market size is about US$ 35.48 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach US$ 65.01 billion by 2031.
India Design ID, one of India’s most established and influential design platforms, returns to Delhi for its 14th edition at the NSIC grounds. Over the years, India Design ID has evolved into the country’s largest and most commercially momentous design week, expanding the business of design while shaping conversations around material innovation, craft, architecture, and contemporary living.
“I think the interior space has evolved and Indian craft and craftsmanship are having a moment on a global front at the moment that puts our design industry at the forefront,” Misha Bains, Fair Director & Curator, India Design ID & ID Salon. “The next decade will be full of opportunities, market expansion, growth stories as well as pushing the boundaries when it comes to craft and design.”
The theme for this edition is The Age of Design Syncretism, celebrating the confluence of heritage and modernity, craft and innovation, and Indian and international perspectives. “This year we bring a lot of fresh talent and newness to the show,” points out Bains. Besides the exhibiting brands launching and showcasing new collections of the year, we have a special Pavillion - The French Art De Vivre - presenting French design.”
Interiors, the growth story
The fair, colloquially known as Design ID, has 150 plus participants this year across Interiors, product design and collectible design. Every major brand in the space is present, including industry leaders such as Asian Paints, Kohler, Grohe etc.
This edition also has a special project, an exhibition called Design, Tomorrow which presents works by 45 plus designers from across India and beyond, that contextualize what the future of design will be through their designs and narratives. “The New Guard is our initiative that recognises 6 gen-next designers, the fresh talent of the country,” says Bains.
An interesting element is the ID Salon, a first of its kind fair in India dedicated to global collectible design in India. “It will bring together galleries and special showcases presenting one of a kind and authored pieces by world renowned designers,” says Bains. “India Design ID has been preparing for this moment for the past 3 years, we launched the ID Collectible Pavilion at the Main show in 2023 with an intent to create a market for Collectible Design in India and we did that successfully, however now the time felt right for us to launch a standalone show for the Collectible Design segment - ID Salon, before its launch, is already garnering attention and participation requests from global design galleries. We intend to grow this platform as a serious collectible design forum in India for global design galleries.”
Misha Bains, Fair Director & Curator, India Design ID & ID Salon.
We intend to grow this platform as a serious collectible design forum in India for global design galleries.
Misha Bains
Fair Director & Curator, India Design ID & ID Salon
Is collectible design different from art?
Collectible design refers to authored pieces of furniture, textile, objects etc. that sit at the intersection of art and design, explains Bains. “These are one of a kind, limited edition pieces that position them in an art like market as the customers/ collectors acquire them less for functionality and more for its unique value, just like art.”
Another significant development is the association with France as a partner country. “The India Design ID and the French Art De Vivre partnership will present French Design and savoir faire and this partnership is a very important moment for the Indo-French industry relationships,” points out Bains. “This puts the scope and value of the show into a new space - a true international platform that invites and fosters talent from beyond India and becomes the one spotlight moment for French and other global designers and architects to expose their work to the Indian and south Asian audience.”
Other pavilions such as Experience, Editions, Design, The New Guard, ID Collectible, and Installations create a design landscape with creative depths and experimental approaches.
Overheard at the fair – the challenge of finding accommodation with the mega AI summit also on in the city! Fortunately, most had booked well in advance!
