Doshi Levien

Doshi Levien
Name	Doshi Levien
Founded	2012
Founders	Nipa Doshi; Jonathan Levien
Headquarters	London; Mumbai
Industry	Industrial design; Product design; Furniture design
Notable works	Dot chair; Pallu collection; Tandoori lamp
Awards	Designer of the Year nominations; Red Dot; Wallpaper* awards

Doshi Levien is an international design studio established by Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien that operates at the intersection of United Kingdom and India design practices. The studio produces a range of furniture design, product design, and material experiments informed by cross-cultural research, craft collaborations, and industrial manufacturing. Doshi Levien’s work is represented in museum collections, commercial showrooms, and collaborative exhibitions across Europe, Asia, and North America.

History

Doshi Levien was founded in 2012 following careers that connected academic research, commercial commissions, and craft-based projects in London and Mumbai. The studio emerged from networks including Royal College of Art, Design Museum, and independent craft communities in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Early commissions involved reinterpretations of traditional techniques for contemporary production, leading to projects shown at venues such as Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and Vitra Design Museum. The practice built its profile through a mixture of limited-edition runs, industrial collaborations with manufacturers, and participation in design festivals such as Salone del Mobile Milano, Design Miami/ and London Design Festival.

Founders and Key Personnel

The studio is led by co-founders Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien. Nipa Doshi trained at institutions including National Institute of Design and has links to academic programs like Royal College of Art. Jonathan Levien studied and worked within British Council-linked initiatives and industrial design environments associated with studios around Clerkenwell. Together they combine backgrounds in craft research, teaching, and commercial product development. The team has included project managers, craftsmen from regional Indian workshops, material specialists, and collaborators from companies such as Moroso, Vitra, and Driade. The studio also engages independent consultants from networks including Tate Modern curators, exhibition designers from Serpentine Galleries, and production engineers linked to Royal College of Art alumni.

Design Philosophy and Style

Doshi Levien’s philosophy synthesizes influences from Indian craft traditions, British manufacturing histories, and contemporary Scandinavian and Italian design movements. Their aesthetic blends hand-crafted surfaces with industrial techniques, often exploring color palettes reminiscent of Jaipur pigments and Kutch textiles alongside minimal forms associated with Bauhaus and Modernist legacies. The studio emphasizes research-led prototyping, engaging with artisanal processes from regions like Ahmedabad and collaborating with manufacturers rooted in Milan and London. This approach produces objects that reference vernacular motifs, material memory, and global production systems, balancing experimental texture with functional ergonomics.

Notable Projects and Products

Signature pieces include the Dot chair for Established & Sons and modular seating for Moroso, alongside lighting such as the Tandoori lamp series produced with Hem. Collections like Pallu reinterpret textile patterns from sari traditions into woven seating and upholstery, while collaborations with Nodus and HAY resulted in limited-edition tables and ceramics. Museum commissions include display objects for Victoria and Albert Museum and installations at Design Miami/ and Salone del Mobile Milano. Product typologies span seating, lighting, textiles, tableware, and small-scale urban furniture developed for municipal programs in cities such as Mumbai and London.

Awards and Recognition

Doshi Levien’s work has been recognized by institutions and award programs including nominations and features by Wallpaper* Design Awards, selections for Design of the Year exhibited at the Design Museum, and prizes from juries in Red Dot and Dezeen showcases. Their pieces have been acquired by permanent collections at museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and featured in editorial platforms like Architectural Digest, ICON, and Frame. The studio’s practice has been cited in academic and curatorial writing on contemporary global craft and cross-cultural design.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The practice maintains ongoing partnerships with manufacturers and brands including Moroso, Established & Sons, Nodus, and niche producers based in Milan and London. Collaborative research projects have involved institutions such as Royal College of Art and curatorial partnerships with organizations like Design Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. Cross-sector projects have included public realm commissions in coordination with municipal bodies and NGOs, and product launches showcased at platforms like Salone del Mobile Milano, London Design Festival, and Design Miami/.

Business Operations and Distribution

Doshi Levien operates as a studio that balances bespoke commissions, limited-edition production, and licensing agreements with established manufacturers. Distribution channels include gallery representation, commercial showrooms in design districts such as Clerkenwell and Via Tortona, and sales through specialist retailers and online platforms associated with galleries and brands like Established & Sons and Moroso. Production logistics frequently span workshops in Mumbai and manufacturing partners in Italy and United Kingdom, enabling the studio to scale pieces from artisanal prototypes to small-series production.

Category:Design studios