The Lifestyle Accessory Design department at NID explores the evolving dynamics of human lifestyles, focusing on understanding how people live, identifying new design opportunities, and delivering solutions with an ethical, future-oriented mindset. In a rapidly changing Indian context, several drivers are reshaping consumer behavior, such as economic growth in emerging markets, technological advancements, demographic shifts, and increasing environmental awareness. These shifts have transformed consumer priorities toward wellness, sustainable living, inclusivity, and personalized experiences.

In this environment, the department emphasizes designing for changing needs by focusing on human-centered, sustainable, and value-sensitive design practices. It nurtures pragmatic thinkers who innovate by addressing ethical and humanistic concerns. The approach combines co-design for inclusive solutions, personal user-centered design to meet individual preferences, and phygital design to integrate digital solutions seamlessly into everyday life. Moreover, the focus on experience design aims to create emotionally engaging and memorable experiences that establish long-term, meaningful relationships with users. By embracing these new paradigms, the Lifestyle Accessory Design department aims to pioneer innovative, culturally relevant solutions that resonate with both local and global consumers, driving the 'Designed in India' narrative to a prominent position on the world stage.

Overview of the Lifestyle Accessory Design Department at NID

The Lifestyle Accessory Design (LAD) department at NID is dedicated to understanding the evolving dynamics of human lifestyles and translating these insights into innovative design solutions. This program is designed for aspiring designers who are keen to explore the intersections of culture, technology, and human behavior to create lifestyle accessories that resonate with modern consumers.

What We Do

At the LAD department, we focus on understanding how people live, interact with products, and express their identities through accessories. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, encompassing a wide range of domains such as jewelry, watches, bags, luggage, footwear, lighting, furniture, space accessories, and interior objects. We also delve into trend research, and the selection of colors, materials, and trims for white goods and automobile interiors. Our aim is to foster a holistic design education that equips students with the skills to visualize and create lifestyle accessories and systems using diverse materials, processes, and technologies.

Our Philosophy

We believe in designing with an ethical, future-oriented mindset. Our program emphasizes human-centered, sustainable, and value-sensitive design practices, encouraging students to consider ethical and humanistic concerns in their work. By focusing on co-design, personal user-centered design, and phygital design (the integration of digital solutions into physical products), we strive to create products that are not only functional but also emotionally engaging and meaningful.

Understanding the Changing Consumer

In today’s rapidly evolving world, several factors are reshaping consumer behavior in India, such as economic growth, technological advancements, demographic shifts, and environmental awareness. These changes have led to new consumer priorities, including wellness, sustainable living, inclusivity, personalized experiences, and digital integration into daily life. Our program prepares students to design for these changing needs by fostering an understanding of these trends and encouraging innovative thinking that anticipates future demands.

Designing for the Future

Our students are trained to be forward-thinking designers who can drive market trends by creating products that meet both current and future needs. The LAD department draws inspiration from indigenous contexts, socio-cultural values, beliefs, and practices, combining them with contemporary global trends. This approach allows our designers to develop culturally relevant solutions that resonate with both local and international audiences.

Why Choose LAD at NID?

Choosing the LAD program at NID means joining a community of innovative thinkers and creators who are passionate about making a difference. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, gain exposure to a variety of materials and technologies, and develop a strong foundation in both conceptual and practical design skills. Our graduates aspire to make ‘Designed in India’ a premier global brand by creating products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable, inclusive, and reflective of diverse cultural narratives.

The ideal candidate for the Lifestyle Accessory Design discipline should possess creativity, empathy, innovation, cultural awareness, and a strong focus on sustainability. These attributes drive their ability to design meaningful, human-centred products that respond to evolving societal and environmental needs. 

The ideal candidate for the Lifestyle Accessory Design discipline should possess creativity, empathy, innovation, cultural awareness, and a strong focus on sustainability. These attributes drive their ability to design meaningful, human-centred products that respond to evolving societal and environmental needs.