Hall of fame: 15 years of EDIDA

On the occasion of EDIDA India turning 15, we round up the champions of this accolade over the years, who share their success stories post their wins.

2002: Michael Aram
Product Designer, New York & New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… Being recognised as an influencer of Indian design. As an American who has set up a home as well as a workshop in India and dedicated his career to the discipline of craft, this honour means a lot to me
Important milestones… I opened stores in New York and Los Angeles and now export products to over 70 countries. I also created a sculpture for Pope Francis that will be installed at the Vatican
My next dream project… With a hotel group, conceptualising their entire property

2004: Neil Foley
Furniture & interiors, Bengaluru
EDIDA to me is… Pushing the envelope in Indian arts, where the concept, scope, innovation and design ethos are always rewarded
Life after EDIDA… I was able to set up meetings with creative people from myriad fields that finally catapulted into big design projects in India and globally
Important milestones… I was chosen as the Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year by The British Council. I envisioned kitchen appliances for a company which due to the success of the product, got acquired for quite a handsome amount!

2005: Kavi Pradeep Thangaraj
Product designer, Bengaluru
EDIDA to me is… The Oscars of design in India and the world
Life after EDIDA… I was given the opportunity to exhibit at Ambiente 2006 in Frankfurt
Important milestones… I got offers to work with both domestic and global manufacturers and even set up my own consultation firm, Pradesign Studio

2006: Rajiv Saini
Architect & designer, Mumbai
EDIDA to me is… Prestigious and something that motivates young designers to do quality work
Life after EDIDA… As a designer I’ve been happy to create products for various companies over the years
A brand I would love to work with… Moroso as they’re full of opportunities

2007: Alex Davis
Artist & product designer, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… These one of a kind awards outline good design guidelines, at par with global standards. The trophy comes with a certain amount of pride
Important milestones… My prolonged involvement at the Maison & Objet and India Design ID, solo booth at the India Art Fair and very recently, the launch of my new sculptural collection Hyperblooms
My next dream project… Outfits with a multi ethnic narrative

2008: Anuja and Mayank Gupta
Founders, Apartment 9, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… The highest recognition of product design
Important milestones… Collaborating with Italian major, Dedar and moving from product to interior design
A brand I would love to work with… Jewellery label Hanut Singh

2009: Vikram Goyal
Interior Designer, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… The recognition of design in India. It is like an affirmation that what we are doing is fine and not off the wagon
Important milestones... The industry opened up to what we were doing. Having the ELLE DECOR stamp was enough for people to understand that we were going in the right direction
A brand I would love to work with… Fashion label Balmain

2010: Shahid Datawala
Photographer, artist & designer, Mumbai
EDIDA to me is… The best and the most prestigious award in the country. It is the only recognition that actually matters–others have come about now but none of them have had the same kind of an impact as EDIDA
Important milestones… There were many people who expressed interest in my work and a lot of inquiries were made. Winning the award made a big difference in terms of acquiring clients
Brands I would love to work with… There are some brands I can identify with–Edra and Moooi, as they suit my aesthetics

2011: Raseel Gujral Ansal
Product Designer, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… An honour. It’s always wonderful to be appreciated amongst your peers
Life after EDIDA… Each day feels different. Over the course of my career I have learnt to take neither accolades nor brickbats seriously
Important milestones… My firm full-fledgedly entered into architecture and we also won a couple of international awards after that. Additionally, I started Casa Pop–a label for home furnishings, fashion and travel accessories

2012: Gunjan Gupta
Product & interior Designer, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… A great platform for designers
Important milestones… The award helped me gain a lot of recognition inside and outside the industry
A brand I would love to work with… Moroso

2013: Ayush Kasliwal
Product Designer, Jaipur
EDIDA to me is… The arrival of Indian creativity on the global map
Important milestones… I opened the first Anantaya and AKFD store at Leela Palace, Bengaluru and won the ILA award by Messe Frankfurt. I also completed my first hospitality project, Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner
A brand I would love to work with… Furniture company De La Espada

2014: Bobby Agarwal
Product Designer, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… Getting immense recognition for what my sensibilities stand for. It gives me a sense of pride
Important milestones… Post EDIDA I set higher standards for everything I do and have started exploring newer materials in various forms
A designer I would love to work with… Paola Navone

2015: Gautam Seth & Prateek Jain
Lighting Designers, New Delhi
EDIDA to me is… A great feeling of being recognised in our country
Important milestones… Large scale installations and exhibit at Dubai Design Week
A brand we would love to work with… Kartell