National Institute of Design, Kohima
📍 Kohima, Nagaland · Est. 2018
NID campus in Nagaland. Access to Naga tribal textile and craft traditions: distinctive warrior shawl weaving, wood carving, beadwork, and Hornbill Festival design culture.
NID Kohima is a campus of the National Institute of Design in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Nagaland's tribal communities (Angami, Ao, Lotha, Sumi, and others) have extraordinary craft traditions: warrior shawls woven in specific patterns for each tribe, elaborate beadwork and cowrie shell jewellery, ceremonial wood carving, and distinctive body adornment traditions that reflect one of the most culturally rich ethnographic zones in South Asia. The Hornbill Festival (held in early December) annually showcases Naga crafts, food, and cultural practices, offering NID students proximity to living tribal design culture.
Admission through NID DAT.
At a glance
Data is approximate. Verify at NID Kohima official website before applying.
Programmes offered by NID Kohima
B.Des (4 years)
Seats: ~20 B.Des seats Fee: ~₹12-15L total (4 years)Specialisations at NID Kohima
Product Design
Creating everyday objects that balance aesthetics, usability, and production reality.
Textile and Apparel Design
Creating textiles, patterns, and garment structures rooted in deep material knowledge.
Communication Design
Visual storytelling across print, digital, and brand identity systems.
How to apply at NID Kohima
Check eligibility
Class 10+2 pass (any stream) from a recognised board.
Age and other criteria vary by exam.
Register for NID DAT
Apply before the deadline on the official exam portal.
Prepare across all tested sections.
Check results at NID Kohima
Results and merit lists are published on the official portal.
Note your rank carefully.
Participate in counselling
Register for JoSAA or direct counselling.
Fill in college and programme preferences in order.
Confirm seat and pay fees
Complete document verification, pay the acceptance fee,
and finish enrolment formalities.
Campus and facilities
Design Studios
Dedicated studio spaces for hands-on design projects and critiques
Textile Workshop
Available on campus
Computer Labs
Industry-standard software including Adobe Creative Suite and CAD tools
Library
Curated design, architecture and art reference collection
About NID Kohima
At a glance
Established
2018
B.Des seats
~20 B.Des seats
Total B.Des fee
~₹12-15L total (4 years)
Closing rank (Gen)
No rank cutoff (merit list from Studio Test)
Specialisations
3
NID Kohima is a campus of the National Institute of Design in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. It was established as part of NID's commitment to bringing design education to every state in India, with a particular significance in the Northeast as a gateway to the extraordinary craft and material culture of Nagaland's tribal communities. Admission is through NID DAT for B.Des programmes in Product Design, Textile and Apparel Design, and Communication Design.
Nagaland has one of the most distinctive tribal craft cultures in South Asia. The shawl-weaving tradition of Nagaland is particularly significant: each of the 16 major Naga tribes weaves specific shawl patterns that carry social, ceremonial, and identity meanings. Warrior shawls (worn only by those who have taken a head in battle in historical tradition) have bold geometric patterns in red, black, and white. Marriage shawls, elder shawls, and festival shawls each have distinctive pattern vocabularies. This system of textile as social communication is a remarkable subject for design research in both textile and communication design contexts.
Naga beadwork is another extraordinary craft tradition: glass beads, cowrie shells, and semi-precious stones are combined in necklaces, headgear, and body ornaments for specific ceremonies and social occasions. Ceremonial wood carving produces architectural elements, morung (bachelor dormitory) decorations, and household objects with bold figurative and geometric imagery. Body adornment and tattoo traditions represent a comprehensive visual design system connecting identity, social role, and aesthetic expression.
The Hornbill Festival, held in the first week of December near Kohima at the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, brings together craft demonstrations, traditional music, food, and cultural performances from all 16 tribes. NID Kohima students are positioned to engage with this annual event as a living research and design resource. The campus connects to NID's national network for placement while offering a location context for design practice that is genuinely unique among Indian design institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 What craft traditions distinguish NID Kohima's location?
Nagaland's tribal communities are known for distinctive warrior shawl weaving (each tribe has its own patterns), beadwork and cowrie shell jewellery, ceremonial wood carving, and body adornment traditions. The Hornbill Festival in December showcases these traditions annually near Kohima.
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Data sourced from official websites and publicly available information. Always verify at NID Kohima official website. ShapeVerse is not affiliated with NID Kohima.