Just as trust in a product hinges on its reliability and innovation, trust in India’s manufacturing future also rests on its ability to seamlessly blend world-class engineering with cutting-edge design.
Embracing design as a core tenet of ‘Make in India’ is the cornerstone to achieving this trust, both domestically and on the global stage. For India to rise as a true manufacturing powerhouse, it will further its commitment to design-driven growth, attracting partnerships and investments needed to transform from a manufacturer to a design-led innovator, rewriting the global narrative one innovative product at a time.
Design is not about aesthetics or user experience alone. It’s also the strategic integration of design into the manufacturing process. It’s about understanding the capabilities and constraints of resources, including production, materials, and the workforce, and then designing products that are not only desirable, but also manufacturable with efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high quality.
Material gains
At the recent Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Narendra Modi emphasised India’s role as the engine of growth in the global economy and as a technology hub. One of the key pillars of this initiative is fostering the development of a robust domestic material sciences and engineering ecosystem to support the manufacturing sector. Design thinking can lead to significant cost savings, improved performance, and a reduced environmental impact.
Auto-matic
Consider the auto industry. By applying design thinking principles, Indian manufacturers have developed — and continue to develop — lightweight car components using advanced materials like composites, thereby improving fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions. This not only caters to the growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles, but also positions India as a leader in sustainable manufacturing. Design engineering offers several advantages crucial for ‘Make in India’ goals. Focusing on design encourages collaboration between designers, engineers, and production teams, fostering a culture of innovation that can lead to the development of new and improved products. From a manufacturer’s perspective, streamlining the design-to-production process helps shorten development cycles, enabling a faster time-to-market. Watch this space
The recent landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface, and the forthcoming Gaganyaan mission for human spaceflight, exemplify India’s spacefaring ambitions. At the grassroots, it is a testimony of India’s engineering and technological prowess. This has also given rise to a large space ecosystem of public and private companies, as well as startups involved in designing and manufacturing high-tech components and systems for commercial space activities.
The industry is at a nascent stage. But with GoI encouraging private sector participation, this could translate into a multi-billion-dollar industry over the next decade.
Innovation nation
Design thinking is not just about creating products. It’s also about fostering a culture of innovation within an organisation. This requires breaking down silos, encouraging collaboration between different departments, and empowering employees to experiment and take risks. By creating an environment where creativity is valued, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, companies can develop a pipeline of new ideas that can drive future growth.
Collab labs
In a complex landscape like India’s, no single entity can unlock the full potential of design thinking, Collaboration between government, industry, and academia is crucial. GoI can play a role in creating an enabling environment by investing in design education, promoting R&D, and providing incentives for practitioners to adopt design thinking practices.
Industry can also invest in building internal design capabilities and partnering with academic institutions to access cutting-edge research and talent. Academia can contribute by developing design thinking curricula, conducting research, and providing consultancy services to industry.
Steely resolve
Take steel. As a primary material in all industries, it needs to interlock with evolution of design engineering to be future-ready. Future projects may require low-carbon or carbon-neutral steel that is tied to RE sources and carbon capture technologies in the steel industry. As recyclability becomes a core value proposition, manufacturers may need to design steel alloys and solutions that facilitate efficient reuse and minimise virgin material consumption, something that involves metallurgy and structural engineering.
Design orientation is not a magic bullet. But it’s a powerful tool that can significantly strengthen ‘Make in India’. By prioritising design, Indian manufacturers can move up the manufacturing value chain and begin to create truly innovative, globally competitive products. This shift in mindset, from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Design and Make in India’, is key to unlocking the nation’s full manufacturing potential.
The writer is chairman-MD, JSW Group