The ‘designed by GK’ Yamaha R15 V2.0, the Honda CBR 250R, the much loved new Maruti Suzuki Swift and the new Wagon R, which has had inputs from the folks at Maruti Suzuki’s design studio in India, have been awarded the India Design Mark 2012.
The India Design Mark is an initiative of the The India Design Council which in turn is affiliated with India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry and is made up of eminent people in academia, design and industry organizations. Its India Design Mark (I Mark) awards program was organized with the cooperation of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, organizers of Japan’s Good Design Award (G Mark), and preparations began in 2010.
Adopting the same high standards as its Japanese equivalent, the submissions and judging for the first edition of the India Design Mark Awards was completed recently and the winners announced. Of the 71 applicants, 31 were awarded the I Mark, and the Yamaha YZF-R15 was one of four products from three Japan-based companies to receive the coveted award.
This is the first year of the India Design Mark, and the 2nd edition is to be announced on June 21, 2012.
Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, CEO & MD, India Yamaha Motor said, “I am very pleased with this recognition that our flagship bike YZF-R15 has received. The bike which was introduced in 2008 has witnessed tremendous fan following and the upgraded version launched in 2011 only added more to an already great performing bike. This award not just realizes our efforts but also motivates us to continue creating more new and innovative products.
The India Design Mark should help spread design awareness and promote value of design in the industry and society and prompt more students to take up automotive design as a profession. Maybe then we will have a desi design flaunting the India Design Mark rather than an all Japanese line up. We do not currently have information on whether the XUV5OO was nominated, but considering Mr. Anand Mahindra heads the India Design Council, we would be surprised if it wasn’t nominated. If it was nominated and didn’t get the India Design Mark, then you might as well as put us in cryogenic storage. We aren’t sure if we can recover from the shock.