The Institute was setup in 1962 by the Government Decision within the USSR State Committee for Science and Technologies, as an interdisciplinary scientific and methodological coordination and information centre with the aim of establishing and developing industrial design all over the country.

Main directions of VNIITE scientific and experimental project design work are connected with problems of introducing and making full use of advanced research and new technologies in the design of consumer goods. The Institute founds up its research and projects on computer technologies and programs, considering them as the presentday technological basis for creating high quality products.

Main directions of the Institute activities:

• fundamental and applied research in design theory and methods;
• assimilation and introduction of advanced tecnologies and scientific achievements for designing industrial products with high consumeroriented characteristics;
• creation of the colour system on a national scale;
• education and improvement of the professional skill of designers;
• promotional and exhibition activities in the field of science and new technologies;
• provision of professional information to specialists in the field of science, industry and management;
• publishing activities.