About Us
Democratising Human-Centred Design education — from the classroom to the nation.
Founded in 2011 by Mathew Sebastian and Dr. Deepak John Mathew, HCD Institute — the Institute for Human-Centred Design — works to democratise design education across India. We establish design innovation labs inside schools and carry the principles of the Design Innovation Centre, in partnership with IIT Hyderabad and the DIC, into classrooms and institutions nationwide.
500+
Learners
25+
Mentors
100+
Design Projects
200+
Practice hours
Why HCD Exists
Human-Centred Design transforms how young people learn, question, and create — yet access to it remains deeply uneven across India. HCD Institute was founded to close that gap. Through school design labs, teacher training, and certification, we bring structured, hands-on design education into schools and institutions — building the infrastructure, curriculum, and mentorship that make university-grade design learning possible far beyond the metros.
Our Philosophy
Design is best learned by making. Our approach mirrors the Design Innovation Centre model pioneered at IIT Hyderabad: give learners real tools, real problems, and the freedom to prototype their way to understanding. We treat the instinct to make as a core intellectual faculty — pairing empathy, materials, and technology so students learn Human-Centred Design with both their hands and their minds.
Who We Serve
We partner with schools, colleges, educators, and institutions that want to place design innovation at their core. From students discovering design for the first time to educators earning Human-Centred Design certification, our courses, immersion programmes, and school labs build a national network of design-led learning — connecting classrooms to the wider Design Innovation Centre framework and to IIT Hyderabad.
Our Commitment
We are building the foundations of Indian design thought leadership — school by school, lab by lab. Our commitment is to keep Human-Centred Design education accessible, rigorous, and rooted in local context, while opening doors for exceptional students and partner institutions to grow alongside us.
Stewardship
We carry the Design Innovation Centre framework responsibly, upholding the academic rigour and standards of IIT Hyderabad in every partner lab we help build.
Equity
We design inclusive learning environments that respect accessibility, cultural diversity, and varied perspectives across global and local contexts.
Universality
Our programmes align with global standards while remaining grounded in real-world, local relevance and application.
Endurance
We prioritise long-term thinking over short-term trends, equipping learners with adaptable skills and judgment that evolve with their careers.
Let's build design innovation together
HCD Institute is open to partnerships and institution building. If your school or organisation wants to establish a design innovation lab — or explore what's possible with IIT Hyderabad's DIC — write to us at dic@hcd.institute.
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About Us
Democratising design education — from the classroom to the nation.
Founded in 2011 by Mathew Sebastian and Dr. Deepak John Mathew, HCD Institute exists to democratise design education across India. We establish design innovation labs inside schools and carry the principles of the Design Innovation Centre — in partnership with IIT Hyderabad and the DIC — into classrooms and institutions nationwide.
500+
Learners
25+
Mentors
100+
AI Projects
200+
Practice hours
Why HCD Exists
Design thinking transforms how young people learn, question, and create — yet access to it remains deeply uneven across India. HCD Institute was founded to close that gap. We bring structured, hands-on design education into schools and institutions, building the infrastructure, curriculum, and mentorship that make university-grade design learning possible far beyond the metros.
HCD was built to address this gap.
Instead of teaching isolated tools or short-lived techniques, we focus on how professionals think, frame problems, and create value in complex, AI-driven environments. Our programmes are designed to help learners become adaptable, reflective, and confident in uncertainty.
Our Philosophy
Human First. AI Native.
Our programmes are designed with AI embedded into every stage of learning: research, ideation, production, evaluation, and reflection. Students learn to treat AI as a co-pilot, collaborator, and accelerator, while retaining full ownership of decisions, ethics, and outcomes.
Who We Serve
HCD is designed for individuals who aspire to operate at a higher standard: students, early-career professionals, career switchers, and independent creators. Our learners are united not by a single role, but by a shared ambition: to remain relevant, thoughtful, and impactful in a rapidly evolving world.
Our Commitment
We build future-ready professionals through responsible AI, inclusive learning, and skills that stay relevant over time.
Stewardship
We use AI with care and accountability, treating
it as a collaborator rather than a decision-maker, while keeping human judgment and ethics at the centre of all work.
Equity
We design inclusive learning environments that respect accessibility, cultural diversity, and varied perspectives across global and local contexts.
Universality
Our programmes align with global standards while remaining grounded in real-world, local relevance and application.
Endurance
We prioritise long-term thinking over short-term trends, equipping learners with adaptable skills and judgment that evolve with their careers.
Find the right training for your team
Not sure where to start? Let us help you identify the right program that matches your team’s goals and challenges.
Find now
The HCD Institute
Design Innovation Centre (DIC)
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, India – 502284
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HCDx in Public Policy
HCDx in Global Supplychain
