Institute of Industrial Design

The Institute of Industrial Design is one of the oldest design institutions in Europe, operating continuously since 1950.

The founder of the Institute, Wanda Telakowska, was one of the central figures of Polish modernism and a reformer of design thought. She believed that "beauty is owed to every person—for everyday life, not just for holidays." This conviction that design is a civic right rather than a luxury became the ideological bedrock of the Institute of Industrial Design.

Our archives document the modernization of Poland through design—from postwar functionalism to modern standards of innovation. This encompasses decades of cooperation between scientists, designers, engineers, and industry; this continuity represents a unique cultural and economic asset.

Currently, the Institute of Industrial Design is part of the European industrial ecosystem—a network of research, design, and technological institutions that co-create the chain of economic development.

We carry out activities in the field of digitizing, compiling, and providing public access to our collections, while developing the concept of heritage monetization through licensing, re-editions of classic designs, thematic exhibitions, and educational partner projects. We support the growth of industrial competencies through audits, certification, and expert assessments, which form the basis for the standardization and improvement of production processes.