Labs & Infrastructure

Design Research & Innovation Lab

Equipped with advanced prototyping tools, digital fabrication equipment, UX/UI testing setups, and software for visual, spatial, and ethnographic design research.

Library & Digital Resources

IILM’s hybrid library offers a rich collection, including e-journals, databases, theses, case studies, and more.

Study & Collaborative Spaces

Dedicated reading rooms, research cubicles, and doctoral common rooms.

Focus Areas of Research

01

Sustainability in Design Practice

02

Design for Social Change

03

Ethnography and Autoethnography in Design

04

Inclusive Arts Practice and Social Contexts

05

Artistic Engagements with Environment, Memory, and Narrative

06

Design, Craft, and Digital Technologies

07

Interactive Digital Arts/Design and Audience Engagement

08

Interaction Design and Gaming

09

Symbols, Icons and Graphics

10

Interdisciplinary Research (e.g., Gender and Identity, Design/Art Copyright Policy/law, Social Innovation)

Why Choose Our PhD Programme

01

Funding Opportunities

Fellowships, research grants, and travel support for conferences.

02

Mentorship Model

Each doctoral student receives supervision from a primary faculty and, where relevant, co-supervision from visiting or industry experts.

03

Industry Experts

Practical engagement with industry researchers and experts

04

Impactful Research

Address real social challenges through rigorous scholarship.

05

Institutional Strength

Leverage IILM’s reputation, resources, and global network (16,000+ alumni).

06

Holistic Mentorship

Expert guidance from faculty with academic + practical experience.

07

Career Outcomes

Pathways into academia, design research labs, creative industries, UX/UI and product innovation roles, design strategy consultancies, policy and cultural institutions, and interdisciplinary research centers.

08

Supportive Culture

A nurturing environment for intellectual exploration and societal contribution

SEAL YOUR SPOT FOR SUCCESS

Our Ph.D. supervisors in Design come from leading design schools and research institutions in India and abroad. They bring strong research expertise, interdisciplinary perspectives, and committed mentorship, guiding scholars toward rigorous and impactful design research.

Dr. Deepika Dhiman – Associate Professor & Product Design Coordinator 

Dr. Deepika Dhiman is a multidisciplinary artist and design researcher. She had pursued her PhD from The College of Visual and Performing Arts, Texas Tech University, USA. Her research engages with cultural identity, gender, and decolonial discourse through practice-led and critical design research. Her scholarship integrates autoethnography, visual storytelling, and multimedia practice to examine questions of identity, borders, and lived experience in Indian and transnational contexts. She has published in academic and creative platforms and exhibited her work internationally. Dr. Dhiman has taught at institutions in India and the United States and brings professional experience across editorial practice, visual communication, and game design.

  • International Partnerships: Joint research, visiting faculty, and potential co-supervision with global universities.
  • Industry Engagement: Projects in collaboration with NGOs, think-tanks, media houses, and policy institutions.
  • Internship Opportunities: Field research, policy internships, and consultancy during PhD.
  • Alumni / Research Network: Connect with IILM’s global alumni and researchers for mentorship, co-authorship, and career guidance.
  • Alumni Voices: “My PhD in public policy deepened my understanding of governance and gave me real-world impact through policy briefings.” – Alumnus, Policy Research Institute
  • Career Paths: Our PhD alumni have pursued academia, think-tanks, government research, NGOs, and international organizations.
  • Current Doctoral Community: PhD students regularly participate in internal colloquia, writing workshops, and research seminars — building a peer-supported scholarly ecosystem.
  • Structured Mentorship: Regular meetings with faculty, peer reviewers, and external experts.
  • Training Workshops: Advanced sessions on research methodology, grant writing, ethics, and data analysis.
  • Collaborations:
    – Internal: Opportunities for interdisciplinary research across IILM’s schools.
    – External: Partnerships with think-tanks, NGOs, international universities, and policy bodies.
  • Networking: Visiting scholars, guest lectures, doctoral retreats, conference support.
  • Seminar Series: Regular talks by leading design scholars, industry experts, and creative practitioners on contemporary design discourses.
  • Doctoral Colloquia: Present research progress, receive structured feedback, and engage in peer critique to refine inquiries and methods.
  • Methodology Workshops: Hands-on sessions covering qualitative, quantitative, and practice-led methods such as ethnography, speculative design, visual analysis, interaction research, and maker-based inquiry.
  • Interdisciplinary Forums: Platforms for dialogue across design, humanities, technology, social sciences, and environmental studies, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas.
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Toppers' Speak

"

We were privileged to learn from faculty members hailing from prestigious institutions such as IIM and FMS, alongside some of the finest professors at IILM. This strong academic foundation transformed into invaluable wisdom, shaping the path to where I am today.”

Harbinder Narula Businessworld

1994-96 Healthcare/Wellbeing/Pharma

"

“As a proud gold medallist of my batch, I had the privilege of dedicating over a decade to Deloitte Consulting. My time at IILM was truly transformative, shaping both my career and personal growth. Returning to campus for the alumni meet was a nostalgic and heartwarming experience.”

Shillaza Girdhar Director - Human Resources

2004-06 360 Degree Engineering

"

“My MBA at IILM equipped me with essential business and corporate skills that helped me excel professionally. Case studies, group discussions, and grooming sessions with brilliant peers shaped me into a lifelong learner. Transitioning from a non-finance background to a finance enthusiast was possible due to IILM’s well-designed curriculum. Grateful to call IILM my Alma Mater!”

Anita Ahuja Senior Vice President

MBA 2008-10 Citibank, Singapore

"

“IILM University’s MBA programme was truly transformative. The faculty’s real-world insights made learning highly practical and relevant. Personalised mentoring and career support aligned my goals with industry needs, while the vibrant campus life and networking opportunities enriched the experience. IILM equips you with the skills to thrive in the corporate world.”

Gurtej Chawla Associate Vice President

MBA 2006-08 Xceedance Consulting