Research at NID ranges from the application of ergonomics to a variety of industrial situations, transportation, health aids, design for children, conservation of materials, crafts and design for rural needs, applications of new materials and technologies and re-examination of traditional ones. In order to revitalise and strengthen the research and publication activities at NID, research projects have been streamlined by the formation of research chairs, industry sponsored research faculty projects, and faculty initiated research projects to be pursued individually or in collaboration.

Research Chairs

The newly introduced research chair programme promotes holistic design thinking backed by comprehensive research and futuristic vision to play a critical role in determining a better quality of life. The activities ensuing from these chairs will be fully integrated with NID's postgraduate education programmes.

The Jindal Stainless Chair for research in the area of product innovation in diversified stainless steel products for applied research using Stainless Steel in architecture, household, urban environment, furniture & interior and lifestyle & accessory products. NID's infrastructure and expertise in these design domains will be extended to offer new design solutions. Shri Gajanan Upadhyay is the distinguished research chair.

The John Bissell Chair for research in the area of Textile and Apparel Design Technology funded by Ford Foundation will engage in establishing a synergy of design and technology with appropriate linkages to design traditions of the Indian subcontinent. The cutting edge design led research is expected to become a guiding force for the textile economy. Dr Pradyuman Singh Jhala is the distinguished research chair.

• Nano and Smart Technology Textiles - P B Jhala
• Plasma Textile Technology - P B Jhala

Research Associateship Programme

Research in various design and related topics has been carried out over the years at NID. Research associates are appointed for specific research projects led by faculty members.

The frontier research areas currently under investigation (2003 – 2004) are:

• Multi Lingual Technology
• Medical Textiles, textiles used for medical purposes
• Core Competencies of Home Textiles
• Applications of Natural Dye Technology

The topics which were completed in the previous year (2002 – 2003) are:

• Visual Language for Functionally Illiterate
• Market Research to Study Consumer Behaviour

Topics planned for the forthcoming academic year (2004 –2005) are:

• Design & Education
• Design & Culture
• Design, Materials & Technology
• Design & Media
• Design, Technology & Management