Pune, popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Deccan’ is the cultural & intellectual capital of the western state of Maharashtra (India) and lies about 130 km. South East of Mumbai. The city is also known as an automotive manufacturing centre with design, design engineering, technology and education base.

With many design institutes, some of the best design firms recognized worldwide, a backend base in India for the biggest and renowned companies and manufacturing units, India’s first design specialty mall and more, Pune, the city we are from, is all set to be the capital of design for India. It is the reason why Pune can be seen as the “Design Capital of India”.

 The ‘Pune Design Foundation’ (PDF) is an association of design professionals & thinkers from this region determined to create an awareness of design in the masses, to promote the talent of Pune designers and also to make Pune as the design destination in India. Pune Design Foundation has successfully organized its weeklong trademark event, the ‘Pune Design Festival’ in the past.

The objectives of PDF are to further the cause of design as a profession and business, to promote Pune as a preferred destination for design in India and abroad, to promote research and other scientific work in connection with Design / Design Research & Development and to encourage practical co-operation and harmonious relations among Designers, other artists, contractors, vendors, the supplying traders, distributors and manufacturers.

The members of Pune Design Foundation comprise design houses, institutes and corporate bodies that span various fields under the broader umbrella of ‘Design’. 

“It is encouraging that the quality of the design industry and services provided in Pune are at par with developed countries like US. The culture of innovation present in the city is likely to make it a huge hub for outsourcing such activity in the future.” Stuart Constantine, Core 77.