MP Ranjan's Final Design Manifesto -  A Call to Rethink Our Future

 In 2015, during what would be his final public address at the Pune Design Festival (PDF) organised by the Association of Designers of India (ADI), Prof. M.P. Ranjan delivered a deeply provocative and forward-thinking talk that continues to resonate through the design community. A designer, educator, and provocateur of ideas, Ranjan used this platform to question the future of industry, challenge traditional structures and define what design must strive to be in a rapidly transforming world.

From Industry to Enterprise - A Shift in Values

"If you are in industry,  be watchful. The future is not industry. It's enterprise, it's makers, it's social design"

Ranjan opened by reflecting on his early projects from the 1970s, including the Nehru Pavilion and his global design diplomacy journeys, as a way to contextualise how much design and the world around it had evolved. His message at PDF was direct, the industrial era has passed. "Industry is dead. What we will have is enterprise, business, and makers. That’s the future I see." He urged designers to align with sustainability, self-sufficiency and social impact.

Design as a Human Act

Design, he said, is embedded in everyday actions. Moving a chair, cooking a meal, rethinking a social process, each of these reflects design instincts. He emphasised that the act of design is universal and inherent in all forms of adaptation and improvement.

"“Design is a human act. When you move a chair, mix a curry, or build a better world — you are designing.”

The Three Orders of Design

Drawing from decades of teaching and research, Ranjan introduced his framework of the "three orders of design":

1. Material and Functional Values rooted in craftsmanship, aesthetics, and usability.

2. Communication and Economic Values  where design shapes behaviour, meaning, and value.

3. Ecological, Political, Ethical, and Spiritual Values  where design addresses responsibility, impact, and stewardship.

He observed that higher-order values are essential for meaningful outcomes and long-term change.

Design as Politics

"Design is politics,"

"Design is politics," he stated. Every design decision has weight and consequence. Ranjan pointed to examples of young Indian designers addressing public health, urban farming, and sustainability through active, grounded design practice. These cases reflect a strong ethic and long-term vision that influences culture and wellbeing.

A Call to Action for ADI and the Nation

Ranjan closed by calling on ADI and the wider community to position design as a recognised national field worthy of institutional recognition. He encouraged the creation of new schools and pathways with visionary approaches rooted in India’s social and ecological fabric.

His contributions are celebrated as an Honorary Fellow of ADI, and he has guided the organisation from its inception. His influence continues to shape the values and direction of design in India.

Prof. M.P. Ranjan built a body of work through his blog, classroom, fieldwork, and advocacy that continues to shape ethical, purpose-driven design. His final keynote was a call to rethink the foundations of design and engage deeply with the futures we aim to create.

Watch his final keynote at PDF 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NhMl8kzh2Q

Explore Ranjan’s writings: http://design-for-india.blogspot.com

- Bala Mahajan