SIAM Hosts 19th Styling & Design Conclave and 17th Automotive Design Challenge

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) successfully organized the 19th SIAM Styling & Design Conclave alongside the 17th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC). The event, themed "Innovating Today, Inspiring Tomorrow’s Mobility," focused on the evolving landscape of vehicle styling and design.  

The conclave served as a platform for automobile designers, industry experts, and academicians to discuss the future of automotive aesthetics and mobility solutions. SIAM Executive Director Prashant K Banerjee highlighted the role of design innovation in the ongoing transformation of mobility. He emphasized the need to integrate student talent into the industry to advance Indian automotive design on a global scale.  

G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman of SIAM Styling & Design Group and Vice President (Design) at Ashok Leyland, stressed the importance of turning India's automotive design efforts into a broader movement. He called for an empirical and innovative approach to design, aligning with the industry's evolving needs.  

Teofilo Plaza Garcia, Industrial Studio Head at Hero MotoCorp, discussed the importance of balancing sustainability with emotional appeal in vehicle design. He noted that investments in young talent would contribute to India's competitive presence in global automotive design.  

Anuj Prasad, Founder & CEO of Desmania Design, pointed out the growing demand for Indian-origin designs by multinational companies. He underscored the importance of moving beyond styling to thought leadership in design, particularly in the context of sustainability.  

Nilesh Kirtane, Co-Chairman of SIAM Styling & Design Group and General Manager – Strategy Planning at Honda R&D India, highlighted the link between innovation and design. He emphasized the responsibility of designers in shaping mobility solutions that improve everyday life.  

The first session, *"Technology Innovation as an Enabler for Design,"* was chaired by Akansha Hakhu, Senior General Manager (CMF) at Maruti Suzuki. Discussions included insights from Kaustav Sengupta, Professor at NIFT Chennai, who spoke about India's evolving role in global color trends. He emphasized the need for Indian automotive manufacturers to incorporate indigenous colors into their designs.  

Samarth Gupta, Senior Technical Specialist & Mobility Lead APAC at Autodesk, addressed the impact of shifting consumer trends on automotive design. He noted that geopolitical developments and changing consumer expectations were influencing mobility preferences.  

Rajesh Gogu, Vice President (Design) at Maruti Suzuki, discussed how evolving trends, such as the rising demand for SUVs over sedans, were shaping automotive design. He highlighted the role of design in reinventing declining vehicle segments and improving fuel efficiency.  

The second session, "Designing for Global Aspirations," was chaired by V S Deka, Group Manager at Royal Enfield. Ferdinand Klauser, Global Partner & Managing Director Asia at KISKA Shanghai, emphasized the role of design in consumer choices and India's potential in the global market.  

Pravin Gaikwad, Head of CV Design at Tata Motors, noted that India was progressing toward becoming a global leader in sustainable mobility, with design playing a key role in this transition. The session also featured insights from Dinesh Raman, Director of Transportation Design at KISKA Shanghai, and Harikrishnan AK, Delivery Manager at TCS Design, who discussed the influence of global trends on Indian automotive design.  

The third session featured a panel discussion on *"Fostering Industry–Academia Interaction,"* moderated by Anuj Prasad. Panelists included industry professionals and academicians from institutions such as the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad), NIFT Chennai, IIT Delhi, UPES, and MIT Institute of Design. The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between industry and academia to nurture talent and drive innovation in automotive design.  

The 17th edition of the Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) was also part of the conclave, providing a platform for aspiring designers to showcase their concepts. After a rigorous selection process, the top ten students presented their designs at the event. The ADC 2024 Award Felicitation Ceremony recognized four winners: Rajat Sisodia (National Institute of Design) and Anurag Ramteke (Strate School of Design) as second runners-up, Naga Karthik Jonnala (Strate School of Design) as first runner-up, and Vedant Barve (MIT Institute of Design) as the winner.  

The event concluded with remarks from G Sathiyaseelan on the significance of design evolution in the Indian automobile industry, followed by a vote of thanks from Prashant K Banerjee. A hands-on design workshop was conducted, offering participants practical exposure to advanced automotive styling.  

The conclave attracted a diverse audience, including design professionals from automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, technology firms, design students, and faculty members.