2025 is about art meeting design Premium

Veterans and young designers present unusual collectibles, the colour of 2025 and a deep craft consciousness at India Design ID 2025 in New Delhi

What is the future of design in India? This was a talking point at the India Design Week 2025 recently, as over 150 Indian and international brands were showcased. One big takeway at the expansive NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Delhi’s Okhla area was that the future of art, architecture and interiors isn’t divorced from sustainable modules. In fact, while the outdoors was celebrated by several brands, there was much attention given to incorporating traditional crafts in design, albeit with a contemporary twist.

Asian Paints ColourNext presented the 22nd edition of its Colour and Material Intelligence forecast and named Cardinal as the colour of the year. Also setting the tone for both design and decor in the months ahead were forecast stories from the paint major: ‘Feel More’, ‘Salt’, ‘India Everywhere’, and ‘Bad Taste?’. Elsewhere at the fair, the ID Special Project, ‘Transition: Rethinking the Chair’, featured 45 versions of this seating staple, designed by 45 different creators, including Gunjan Gupta and Atelier Ashiesh Shah.

Fair director Misha Bains says, “India is going through a transformative era culturally at the moment, a renaissance perhaps. It’s paving the way for that unique identity for Indian design on a global platform. The next decade is surely about looking inwards rather than outwards, diving deep into the rich crafts and heritage that we have here in India. I believe that the design week in every country is not only important but imperative for the future growth of the industry and it is platforms like this that allow a global audience to interact with the local community.”

Here are some of the stand-out designs that made our list:

In tandem with the concept of sustainability and traditional crafts, Stone Art’s Sculptural Planter Collection paid an ode to the legacy of Earth and Fire. Crafted by Brijesh Bansal, the founder of the design label, the products were forged in fire and painted by hand. Each piece was shaped from locally sourced red-black clay.

The Wriver exhibits were a testament to material exploration and sustainable craftsmanship that homeowners today seek while doing up their abodes. Designed by Harjot Singh, principal designer and art director, there were six distinct setups on the ground floor that showcased contemporary yet avant-garde interior narratives.

While the products on the first floor were about cutting-edge innovations in furniture design, an outdoor setting further enhanced the immersive experience, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of luxury furniture even. Wriver exhibited how home design needn’t just be about interior spaces. There is a whole world of creativity to be explored when it comes to outdoor spaces.