New Delhi, Feb. 21 -- The words "high energy" come up often when Milan-based Annalisa Rosso, one of the key voices shaping contemporary design discourse, talks about the Indian design scene. "India's design landscape is vibrant, young and emerging," says Rosso, the editorial director and cultural events adviser of Salone del Mobile, the annual international furniture fair held in Milan.

She met Lounge on 8 February, the concluding day of the India Art Fair. This year's edition marked the first collaboration between the fair and Salone del Mobile, signalling India's growing presence on the global design map. India now ranks 10th among the 160 countries sending visitors to the Salone.

When Rosso, who also works as a curator and consultant...