“In the current phase of rapid acceleration in the development of the automotive industry in India," Andrea Pininfarina explained, "and in the context of historical excellent relationships between Italy and India, NID and Pininfarina have decided to begin collaborating for the fruitful integration of both the Indian and European artistic spirit and the cultural tradition towards always higher level of excellence in the field of style and design especially in the field of automobile design and styling”.

Through this Statement of Intent, NID and Pininfarina agree to seek ways of developing joint activities and programs for facilitating academic, research and allied exchange and cooperation involving Pininfarina Design Center in Torino Italy, NID’s Main Campus at Ahmedabad, and PG Campus in Gandhinagar. With an initial period of three years NID and Pininfarina will proceed together on this road of cross fertilization over design expertise and competencies, technical cross fertilisation and mutual cultural enrichment. NID and Pininfarina will begin to explore a wide range of ways of collaborative activities which may include applied design projects, internships, training programmes, joint conferences, workshops and joint Diploma projects.

“We consider this agreement an investment and the proof of our growing attention towards the very important Indian market," concluded Andrea Pininfarina. "This also confirms our international vocation, as our presence in China has been testifying for more than 10 years."

National Institute of Design, India

The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research. The institute functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
 

The National Institute of Design is recognised by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research  (DSIR) under Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, as a scientific and industrial design research organisation. NID has also been a pioneer in industrial design education after Bauhaus and Ulm in Germany and is known for its pursuit of design excellence to make Designed in India, Made for the World a reality. NID's graduates have made a mark in key sectors of commerce, industry and social development by taking role of catalysts and through thought leadership.

In the early years following independence, rapid changes were taking place within the Indian environment, in economic and social objectives and in production processes, new technologies were beginning to enter the remotest corners of our sub-continent. There were at that time, minds sufficiently aware that the process of development demanded a re-investigation of the postulates and resources that determine the pattern and pace of growth envisioned for India.

The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1953 articulated these concerns and indicated broad guidelines. It was in this setting that the Government of India invited the renowned design team of Charles and Ray Eames to recommend a programme of design to serve as an aid to small industry. On the basis of their remarkable document, 'The India Report', the Government of India set up the National Institute of Design in 1961 as an autonomous national institution for research, service and training in Industrial Design and Visual Communication.

The aim was to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to design, to satisfy the complex problems of India's changing environment. This year, NID completes 42 years of distinguished service in design education, design training and design practice. Today, it is internationally recognised for the quality of its programmes, which will always continue to be the hallmark of this premier national Institution. It was a change in kind, and not merely in degree.