CII India Design Mission
to South Korea (2025)
About the Mission
The CII India Design Mission to South Korea, scheduled from 09–13 June 2025, under the leadership of Dr Udayant Malhoutra and Prof Pradyumna Vyas, was a strategic international initiative curated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to foster cross-border collaboration, innovation, and exchange in the field of design. This high-level mission brought together a selected delegation of Indian design leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and institutional heads to engage with Korea’s thriving design and innovation ecosystem.
For the Mission Report, please click here.
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About the Delegates
Dr Udayant Malhoutra (LinkedIn)
CEO & Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Limited
Chairman, CII National Committee on Design & Innovation
Udayant is the CEO & Managing Director of Dynamatic Technologies Limited, a world-class design, engineering and manufacturing company which designs and builds highly engineered products for Hydraulic, Automotive, Aeronautic and Security applications. Dynamatic Technologies Limited is a leading private R&D organisation with numerous patents and inventions to its credit, and partners marquee customers like Airbus, Boeing, Bell Helicopter, BMW, Audi, Daimler, Mercedes, John Deere and Cummins on a single source basis.
Udayant has been associated with Dynamatic Technologies for over three decades, and, drives the leadership team of the Company in transforming it into a knowledge based organisation. In addition to being the CEO & Managing Director of Dynamatic Technologies, he is also the Chairman of Eisenwerk Erla GmbH, Germany, and Dynamatic Limited, UK.
He is a member of CII National Council, and Chairs the CII National Committee on Design. He has also served on the Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur, besides being the past Chairman of the National Sector Skills Council for Strategic Manufacturing, and the new National Institute of Design, Amravathi.
Ms Revathi Kant (LinkedIn)
Senior VP & Chief Design Officer, Titan Company Limited
Revathi Kant is the Senior Vice President & Chief Design Officer, at Titan Company Ltd. She is a Design & Innovation strategist with over 18 years of experience in applying Design Thinking in diverse domains. A marketing veteran, and a multifunctional hybrid thinker, she has the knowledge and experience of transforming insights grounded at the intersection of Business, User benefits and human psychology into innovative strategies and offerings that lead to revenue growth.
She is a firm believer of disruption with design and is excited about how design can impact and elevate lives. She focuses on continuously building Design as a unique and compelling differentiator in the sustainable growth of business. She heads the Design Excellence Center, the design arm of Titan Company which caters to the design needs of the entire organization across categories.
Mr Mahendra Chauhan (LinkedIn)
Divisional Manager, Titan Company Limited
I am Mahendra Chauhan, a design leader aiming to create an impact by creating stunning products which resonate with people's emotions and lifestyle. I have studied Architecture and Master’s in Industrial design from the most reputed National institute of Design Ahmedabad.
With over 18 years of experience in the watch and lifestyle industry, I possess a deep understanding of watch design, manufacturing, marketing, and human behaviour. This expertise allows me to synthesize business, market, and user data to develop compelling design strategies that not only delight customers but also achieve business objectives. Currently, I head the Watch & Wearable Design team at Titan, India's most well-known lifestyle company. Titan is part of the $100 billion Tata Group and is the world's fifth-largest watch company.
The Japan Design Council has honoured me with the esteemed Good Design Award, a mark of excellence and quality in design. I have also received global design honours from the Tata Group Innovation Award. Notably, I was the first person in Titan’s history to win the Red Dot Design Award for designing the world's slimmest EDGE watch in 2012, which was just 3.65 mm thick and featured a proprietary Titan movement of 1.1 mm thickness.
Mr Parimal Tukdeo (LinkedIn)
Head - Industrial Design, Godrej & Boyce Ltd
I, Parimal Tukdeo, am an Industrial Designer with 14 years of Experience. Over the years, I have worked extensively across domains such as Consumer Appliances, Medical, Industrial, Stationery, Home Automation, Packaging, Branding etc. In my current role, I lead the Washing Machine Vertical at Godrej Appliances Division. I look after the design of Semi-Automatic, Top Load and Front load washing machines. I am also involved design of Air Conditioners, Air coolers. The clients that I worked for in my previous job include reputed brands such as Blue Star, Crompton, Kirloskar, Kangaro, Corob, Microlit to name a few.
I have completed my Master’s in design (M. Des) from Indian Institute of Design, Delhi. I have good understanding of the craft and the processes. I have led the projects through its complete design cycle.
Mr Amit Rajwade (LinkedIn)
Head - Design, TVS Design Studio
Amit Rajwade is Vice President and Head of Design at TVS Design Studio and is responsible for the creative direction of TVSM products.
He has a wealth of design experience of over 25 years in the design of Two and Three wheeled vehicles for markets in India, ASEAN, Africa and Latin American countries, having designed specific products for these geographies. He has firm belief in the philosophy that creativity and innovation could enrich the lives of our customers and build brand value though Design.
He has led multicultural teams in delivering the design of distinguished products like Jupiter, NTorq, Raider and many more including the recently launched TVS X and TVS Apache RTR 310. These vehicles have received global recognition and awards and are loved by customers.
Mr Deepak Baid (LinkedIn)
Vice President, R&D and Innovation, Bluestar
Deepak is a strategic and forward-thinking Head of Research & Development with extensive experience of over two decades leading innovation initiatives, new product development, and technology integration across diverse industries ranging for HVAC systems, refrigeration systems and consumer appliances. He is expert at transforming ideas into market-leading solutions by aligning R&D efforts with corporate strategy, customer needs, and emerging trends.
He has demonstrated success in building and mentoring high-performing, cross-functional teams while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. During his career he has set up various R&D labs. Before leading R&D for 4 years for unitary products in Blue Star Limited, he was leading R&D of Air conditioners for Havells India Limited, Voltas and lead Innovation in Coca Cola. He started his career from Frick India and worked for LG Electronics. He is actively involved in various technical committees of RAMA, BEE, BIS etc.
Mr Advait Bhatt (LinkedIn)
Head - Sourcing, New Product Development, Bluestar
Advait Bhatt is a seasoned supply chain and sourcing professional with over a decade of experience across India, Germany, and France. Currently serving as Assistant General Manager – NPD, Sourcing at Blue Star Ltd., he leads supply chain innovation and new product development for global markets including Europe and North America with a Master’s in Global Supply Chain Management from KEDGE Business School, France, Advait has played pivotal roles in global electrification programs, digital transformation initiatives, and cost optimization strategies in his past experience.
His international experience includes working with top OEMs and managing supplier relationships across Asia, Europe, and North America, he brings strong cross-cultural communication and stakeholder management skills. Advait’s expertise in sourcing, negotiation, project management, and factory audits makes him an asset to collaborative global missions focused on design, innovation, and sustainable manufacturing excellence.
Mr Vikas Bakshi (LinkedIn)
Head - Technology, Bluestar
Vikas is a seasoned and strategic technology leader with over two decades of expertise in driving innovation, digital transformation, and product excellence in the HVAC, consumer appliances, and kitchen & bath industries. He specializes in leading global cross-functional teams to design and deliver smart, connected, energy-efficient technologies and products that meet evolving consumer expectations, enhance user experience and market demands.
He is an expert at developing scalable technology strategies aligned with business growth, sustainability goals, and regulatory compliance. He has a strong record of building innovation pipelines, optimizing R&D investments, driving collaboration across global teams and developing various technologies and products for global markets. His corporate journey encompasses heading the Technology of Blue Star Limited.
Ms Padmini Gorthi (LinkedIn)
Head - Design, Kone Elevators Pvt Ltd
Padmini Gorthi is currently the Head of KONE Design, India and has been with KONE for 13 years now. She heads a team with streams in Industrial design, Service Design, UX design and Experience design. The strength of the team is working both with physical and digital design and creating a unique balance with both.
Padmini is a passionate Architect and Urban Designer with a unique blend of creative expertise and strategic acumen. With almost 20 years of experience spanning vibrant regions like India, the USA, and the Middle East, her journey has been a dynamic exploration of the world's architectural tapestry.
Her academic pursuits include an MBA in Project Management along with a bachelor’s in architecture and a master’s in urban design, which enables Padmini to seamlessly bridge the gap between visionary design and flawless execution. Padmini isn't just an accomplished professional; she's a staunch advocate for women's empowerment and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the field. Her unwavering commitment to these principles has not only shaped her career but has also resulted donning various parallel roles supporting DEI in the organization.
Mr Chandan Sreedharamurthy (LinkedIn)
Senior Product Designer, Forbes Marshall
With 8+ years at the intersection of engineering systems and human-centered design, I serve as a Design Research Lead at Forbes Marshall, Pune. I specialize in upstream product discovery, user research, and transforming complex industrial needs into scalable, manufacturable solutions. An alumnus of NID Ahmedabad, my expertise includes digitally enabled products and automation systems—spanning HMI, web, and mobile platforms for the process industry.
I’ve led 12+ product launches with design registrations and executed 8+ major research initiatives. My contributions have been recognized with the India Design Mark, the IIT Bombay International Sustainability Challenge award, and Forbes Marshall’s Best R&D Product Designer honor. My work has been featured at RSD8, and I actively support DEI initiatives within the organization.
Mr Vinay Swakul (LinkedIn)
Technical Head, Forbes Marshall
I am a mechanical engineer with over 11 years of R&D experience at Forbes Marshall, specializing in energy-efficient and automated solutions for process industries. My expertise includes mechanical product design, opto-mechanical sensors, and continuous emission monitoring systems. I have developed several successful industrial products and hold 9 design patents in areas such as gas analyzers, condensate recovery, and steam quality measurement. I enjoy solving complex design challenges and turning ideas into reliable field-ready products. I look forward to collaborating with South Korean organizations to share insights and explore opportunities for joint innovation.
Mr Angad Bharaj (LinkedIn)
Head - Design, Ather Energy Limited
Angad Bharaj is the Chief of Staff for Design and Senior Service Designer at Ather Energy—the young EV two wheeler company based in Bengaluru, India that has been spearheading radical change in the scooter market in India and surrounding regions through design that focuses on great experience, R&D, and engineering. Angad has been working at Ather for almost 6 years and has been a part of structuring and setting up customer experience as a function at the company as well as leading service design and strategic design projects. He has experience of over 8 years and has worked in European, Asian, and African regions honing his craft. When he’s not working he spends his time making music, bouldering, and watching movies.
Prof Srikar AVR (LinkedIn)
Professor, IIT Hyderabad
Srikar is an Architect and an Industrial Designer by profession. He is an alumnus of the National Institute of Design where he did his post-graduation in Product Design. He also did another Masters in Strategic Design and Innovation from Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Srikar has led global consulting assignments with Iconic furniture manufacturing brands like Herman Miller and Steelcase. With 13 years of industry experience, he also worked in various capacities as a Design leader with brands like Kohler, DuPont, Godrej, and Nokia in the areas of R&D, Design and Innovation, Advanced Materials in Design, CSRs, Sustainability, Analytics, Workplace Strategy. He and his teams won multiple national and international accolades for their design work that positively impacted various businesses.
Prof Mandar Kale (LinkedIn)
Professor, BITS School of Design
Mandar is a designer by profession, manager by experience and teacher by temperament. Over the last two decades, Mandar has been an active contributor to the Indian design ecosystem, mentoring creative minds, building spaces to nurture innovative thinking and creating value.
An alumnus of IDC IIT Bombay, Mandar’s journey into design started with designing physical products and experiences, for brands like Nissan, Bilcare, Commonwealth youth games and Nirelp. It then evolved into designing for learning and growth at ISD Rubika, where he built and lead the foundation program with a team of international designers. His latest role was to build Strate school of design, a French design school, from scratch, to cater to new age design education paradigms.
Mandar draws from his rich experience to balance the big picture with an eye for detail. Design for him is a framework for thinking that enables clarity. His current interests include Linear vis a vis circular approach to education, sketching as a thinking tool, and learning in the age of AI. When not interacting with students, Mandar can be found exploring photography, aviation, art and lego.
Prof Amit Sheth (LinkedIn)
Professor & Director Makerspace, Plaksha University
Amit calls himself a ‘tinkerer’. He graduated with honours in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani, did his Masters in Product Design from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad; and an M.Phil. from Industrial Design Centre, IITB, Mumbai.
Amit has been a design practitioner for the past four decades as well as a design educator. Currently he is the Founding Professor and Director of Makerspace at Plaksha University, Mohali, Punjab. At Plaksha, he teaches design to all the engineering students. He is also the consultant on the Universities infrastructure, signage and planning committee.
Prof Dhiraj Kumar (LinkedIn)
Director, Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Karnavati University
I am Prof Dhiraj Kumar, a seasoned design leader with 3 decades of experience in academia and institutional leadership. Currently, I serve as the Director of Academics at the Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Karnavati University, Gujarat, where I am dedicated to enhancing academic standards and steering innovation across campuses. In addition to this role, I also lead as the Director of Foundation Studies and Director of New Initiatives at Karnavati University, ensuring a robust foundation for future designers and fostering creative opportunities and brand extension of growth for UID.
Previously, I was the Founding Director of the National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh (NID MP)—an Institute of National Importance—where I was instrumental in shaping the institute's vision and design education framework on a national level. During my tenure, I played a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of institutional leadership and in contributing to key national committees and advisory boards, influencing the future of design education in India.
Prof Prakash Unakal (LinkedIn)
Dean (Business Design & Innovation), L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research
Prakash Unakal has a master’s in design (Industrial Design) from I I T Mumbai, with B. Tech (Mechanical Engg.) from N I T, Calicut. He has over 30 years of experience : 13 years in Industry and 17 years as academician. His areas of expertise are in product/ design and development, business innovation/creation and management. He has rich experience of working in India as well in USA at multiple levels in diverse roles. He has the credit of designing numerous consumer products as Industrial designer. His research areas of interest are innovation, new product design and development, new opportunity identification, creativity, strategic design, consumer behavior emotion, design education and management. He is recipient of Linnaeus Palme International Faculty Exchange Scholarship, Malardalen University, Sweden. He has been a member of India Design Council. He holds design patents to his credit. At WeSchool he is currently working as a Dean – Business Design & Innovation at Bangalore WeSchool.
Prof Jyoti Kulkarni (LinkedIn)
Sr. Associate Dean (Business Design), L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research
Prof. Jyoti Kulkarni is the Senior Associate Dean for Business Design at the Welingkar Institute of Management. She holds a B.Com and an MMS in Marketing from the University of Mumbai. Before transitioning into academia, she spent over eight years in the mutual fund industry, where she gained cross-functional experience in marketing, product design, and customer service. At Welingkar, she has contributed to various departments including e-Business and Marketing, and currently leads the Business Design vertical. Jyoti is deeply passionate about customer experience and marketing, with a strong interest in how service design and brand storytelling influence consumer engagement. She believes that small, thoughtful details can profoundly transform service interactions. Her teaching is enriched by interdisciplinary perspectives, often drawing from Indian mythology to explore the narrative dimensions of marketing and service excellence.
Mr Amitanshu Shrivastav (LinkedIn)
Assistant Professor, JK Lakshmipat University
Amitanshu Shrivastava is an Assistant Professor at the JKLU Institute of Design, with over a decade of expertise in product design, creative storytelling, and education. He is passionate about merging traditional Indian crafts with modern design principles to create innovative and engaging solutions. A significant focus of his work is the design and development of educational games and puzzles, which inspire curiosity, foster learning, and encourage creative problem-solving among both children and adults.
As the founder of Ubiquitous Objects , Amitanshu has led diverse projects that celebrate cultural heritage, innovation, and play. His work often involves creating meaningful experiences that bridge the gap between design and education, making learning an engaging and enjoyable journey. Through his games and puzzles, he seeks to simplify complex concepts, promote critical thinking, and connect learners with the joy of discovery.
Mr Dharmesh Mehta (LinkedIn)
Founder and CEO, LMNX Ventures
For over 15 years, Dharmesh Mehta has been working at the intersection of design/ experiences, humanity and businesses. He has been experimenting with high-performance, entrepreneurial, design-first, generalist teams that can bring remarkable impact across business systems, brand and product experiences, education, and/or social issues. He has founded/cofounded multiple businesses, run a startup incubator, conducted design hackathons, likes mentoring and working with entrepreneurs, and endorses wabi-sabi, minimalism, and chaos. As an angel investor, he has invested in early-stage startups in HealthTech, FinTech, HRTech, Food, and Books.
Mr Vashikaran Rajendrasingh (LinkedIn)
Managing Director, Bell Printers
Mr Vashikaran is a third-generation entrepreneur from the eminent Bell Group of companies, based in Sivakasi and Tirunelveli in South India.
Mr. Vashikaran has 15 years of experience in managing the group’s Luxury Packaging business called Bell Printers, which exports premium packaging to over 45 countries. As a qualified software engineer and business graduate from Westminster University in London, he has applied his skills in turning around the legacy Bell Brand company which has then won numerous National Awards for Packaging Excellence.
The past president Mr. Abdul Kalam had honored Mr. Vashikaran on two occasions for his creative abilities. A fantastic R&D center for packaging called the Cube Lab.
Ms Arpana Jathanna Walters (LinkedIn)
Chief Design Officer, Modenik Lifestyle Private Ltd.
Arpana has over 26 years’ experience in apparel design, including 17 years specializing in lingerie. Known for her visionary approach, as the Design Head of Enamor, she played a pivotal role in making lingerie both comfortable and fashionable for the modern Indian woman. Her ability to lead with creativity and strategic thinking has set industry benchmarks, with many of her concepts now being adopted by other brands. Arpana’s leadership extends beyond her direct impact on product development. She has consistently demonstrated a collaborative approach, working with cross-functional teams to bring fresh perspectives into the design process.
She was also instrumental in training the faculty at India’s premier design institute, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), helping introduce lingerie as a subject at its seven centres.
Ms Shimul Vyas (LinkedIn)
Director & Founder, Strong Foundation India Pvt Ltd & ANA-SHI Ventures LLP
Shimul Pradyumna Vyas is an accomplished design specialist with over 30 years of experience across academics, consultancy, research, and training. She is the Founder of Tangibly Intangible, a design-led platform showcasing contemporary jewellery by independent designers, makers, and creators.
With deep expertise in lifestyle accessory design—spanning personal and spatial products—her core competencies include design thinking methods, macro trend research, creative material manipulation, jewellery forms (traditional and contemporary), and leather product development.
Shimul served for 26 years as a faculty member at the National Institute of Design (NID), India, where she was instrumental in founding the Lifestyle Accessory Design department and launching the postgraduate program in this specialization. She also played a key role in NID’s outreach and consultancy initiatives, working extensively with craft clusters across India and leading international projects in Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Ethiopia to empower women artisans through design. For over two decades, Shimul has collaborated with major organisations in the Indian gems and jewellery industry, including GJEPC, the Jaipur Jewellery Show, World Gold Council, and World Crafts Council. She has authored two acclaimed publications: When Jewellery Speaks, documenting the heritage of Kundan Meenakari, and the 2018 Jewellery Trend Book presenting India-focused trend insights.
Mr Rahul Vyas (LinkedIn)
Founder, ARVY
An ex-banker turned entrepreneur, Rahul’s journey into art is as unexpected as it is inspiring. For years, creativity lingered in the background, overshadowed by his professional career and entrepreneurial ventures, including the Records Management Services company he founded 17 years ago. Yet, his artistic spark quietly materialised in designing furniture, experimenting with calligraphy, and collecting bespoke fountain pens.
At 52, during the lockdown, that passion took centre stage. Armed with his fountain pens, Rahul began drawing, pouring his thoughts and emotions onto paper. It soon became a daily ritual and a form of therapy and meditation.
Ms Smitha Naik (LinkedIn)
Founder, SNSofDESIGN
Smitha Naik is not just a designer; she's a catalyst. As the Founder and Creative Head of SNSofDESIGN Interior Design and the visionary behind Antara Home Studio, a line of sustainable, handcrafted furniture, she embodies the spirit of multifaceted entrepreneurship. With over two decades of experience spanning diverse industries – from education and technology to finance and design – Smitha navigates complex landscapes with unwavering energy and a positive, adaptable spirit.
SNSofDESIGN, her established design studio, is driven by a philosophy that transcends aesthetics. It's about creating impactful spaces that reflect a deep commitment to clients, the environment, and society. Her work ranges from intimate residences to grand commercial projects, always prioritizing thoughtful, functional, and timeless design. Antara Home Studio, born from a passion for sustainability, is a testament to her dedication to ethical craftsmanship. This venture empowers women artisans and supports rural art forms, proving that business can be a powerful force for positive change.
Ms Namita Bahl (LinkedIn)
Head & Director – Design and Technology, CII
Namita brings over 20 years of experience across diverse domains of research, innovation, life sciences, technology, and design. As Director & Head of Design, Technology, Innovation and R&D at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she leads the conceptualization and execution of strategic initiatives focused on advancing India’s innovation, design, and technology ecosystem. She works closely with government bodies, academic and research institutions, and industry stakeholders on policy formulation and projects related to technology, innovation, and R&D.
Prior to joining CII, Namita served as Senior Research Scientist – Intellectual Property and R&D at Sun Pharma (formerly Ranbaxy). During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s IP and pharmaceutical R&D portfolio, contributing to patent filings, prosecution, and formulation innovation, particularly in new dosage forms.
Mr Akash Kumar (LinkedIn)
Associate Counsellor – Design, CII
Akash Kumar is a multidisciplinary product designer currently engaged in national-level design initiatives at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where he works closely with industry stakeholders, government bodies, and design leaders to shape impactful, user-centric design solutions.
Previously, Akash was Senior Industrial Designer at Skintech Smart Innovations, leading product design, CMF, packaging, and branding. Skilled in UG-NX, Keyshot, SolidWorks, and Adobe Suite, he applies design thinking to deliver innovative, market-ready solutions.
An alumnus of the World University of Design with a Master’s in Industrial Design, Akash also holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering. He is passionate about creating impactful, inclusive, and sustainable design solutions that align with evolving user needs and market demands.
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