International Conference on
Design & Innovation Studies
&
Asia Design Exhibition
亚洲新锐艺术与设计大展

iitg-logo

Department Of Design
IIT Guwahati

28th - 30th September 2026

Supported By

LD Logo Partner Logo

Co-Organizer

LD Logo Partner Logo
28 Sep 2026
29 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026

Overview

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

Design today shapes technology, society, culture, and industry, yet the consolidation of design and innovation as a unified research domain is relatively recent. The International Conference on Design and Innovation Studies (INDIS 2026) is the inaugural edition of a new international conference series hosted by the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati. The conference aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore design-led innovation for sustainable, inclusive, and technologically mediated futures.


INDIS 2026 invites research papers, case studies, creative work, and interdisciplinary contributions across design, management, and emerging technologies. In addition to academic submissions, student design projects from institutions worldwide are welcome. An internationally acclaimed jury will review these projects, with selected entries exhibited and published in the INDIS Design Projects Handbook.


For the first time in India , the conference will co-host Asia Design Week , expanding the event into a global platform for exhibitions, cultural exchange, and cross-border collaboration in design and creative industries.


The conference will feature keynote talks, peer-reviewed paper presentations, workshops, panels, exhibitions, and industry–academia interactions, establishing a long-term international platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange in design and innovation.

Design meets
Technology and
Business.

Design Tools

Call for Papers

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

The International Conference on Design and Innovation Studies (INDIS 2026) invites researchers, practitioners, educators, and industry professionals to submit original and unpublished work that advances the discourse on design-led innovation. The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on how design can address complex societal, technological, and industrial challenges.

Accepted papers will be published in the peer-reviewed conference proceedings (ISBN) with Springer. Selected high-quality papers will be invited for submission to a journal special issue, subject to publisher agreement.

Core Design Disciplines

Communication & Visual Design

Graphic and information design, typography, visual storytelling, motion graphics, animation, and interactive media.

Product / Industrial Design

Consumer and lifestyle products, sustainability, circular economy, inclusive and universal design.

Transportation / Mobility Design

Automotive and mobility experience, smart and electric vehicles, human factors and safety in mobility systems.

Space & Environmental Design

Interior and spatial experience, architecture, wayfinding, urban livability, and climate-responsive environments.

Human Factors & Ergonomics

Physical, cognitive, and organizational ergonomics, usability, safety, and human–machine systems.

User Experience & Information Design

Human–computer interaction, usability analytics, information architecture, and human–AI collaboration.

Design Education & Pedagogy

Studio learning, research-through-design, curriculum innovation, and evaluation in design education.

Interdisciplinary Design, Technology & Management

Computational Design & Smart Manufacturing

AI-driven design, generative methods, robotics, digital twins, and advanced fabrication.

Frugal Innovation & Bio-Inspired Design

Resource-efficient innovation, biomimicry, sustainable materials, and context-driven design solutions.

Product-Service-System (PSS) Design

Integrated product-service ecosystems, lifecycle thinking, and service innovation.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Design strategy, innovation management, business model innovation, startups, and design-led entrepreneurship.

Types of Submission

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

Choose the appropriate category for your submission. Each category has specific guidelines and requirements.

Full Research Paper

Original research contributions with empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and comprehensive analysis in design and innovation.

Read More

Case Study and Industry Paper

Real-world applications and practical implementations showcasing successful design projects and innovation strategies.

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Research-through-Design Contribution

Knowledge generated through the act of designing, demonstrating how design activity produced generalizable insights.

Read More

Poster / Short Paper

Preliminary findings, work-in-progress reports, and emerging ideas that contribute to design and innovation discourse.

Read More

Important Dates

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

  • Call for Papers Release:28th February 2026

  • Submission Deadline of Full Papers:15th April 2026

  • Submission Portal Opens:5th April 2026

  • Notification of Acceptance: 30th June 2026

  • Camera-Ready Submission 25th August 2026

  • Conference: 28th, 29th and 30th September 2026

Conference Registration

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

Registration for INDIS 2026 will open soon for authors, presenters, and participants. Please check this page regularly for updates.

Register Now

AVADA 2026

Asia Design Week - Organized as parallel event with INDIS 2026

01
AVADW's Organizing Institutions
Organizer
Asia Design Week
 Co-Organizers of the Asian Vanguard Art and Design Award (AVADA)
Graphic Designers Association of Thailand / Association of Designers of India / Korea Society of Color Studies / International Public Association “Union of Designers”, Russia / Macao International Design Alliance / Industrial Design Development Association of Taipei / Indonesian Industrial Product Designers Alliance / Malaysian Graphic Design Association / The Korean Society of Illustration Research / Mongolian National Designer’s Association
Co-Organizers of the Asian Vanguard Art and Design Exhibition
Faculty of Applied Arts, Capital University (Egypt) / School of Art and Design, Hubei University of Technology (China) / School of Art and Design, Jingdezhen Ceramic University (China) / Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China / School of Architecture and Design, Sunway University (Malaysia) / College of Visual Arts, University of Sharjah (UAE) / School of Design, Hebei Academy of Fine Arts (China) / School for Creative Industries, University for the Creative Arts (UK) / School of Industrial Design, Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) / Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (India) …
Host Organizations
Asian Vanguard Art and Design Award Organizing Committee
Asia Design Week (International) Co., Ltd.
Vanguard Rising (Guangxi) Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.
Supporting Partners
Shenzhen Graphic Design Association / Shenzhen Industrial Design Industry Association / Design Asia Collective / International Experience Design Committee (IXDC) / China-Europe International Design and Culture Association / French International Association of Artists and Designers / Hong Kong Designers Association / Hong Kong Artists Association / Macao Poster Design Association / Macao Designers Association / Macao Product Design Association / Beijing Industrial Design Promotion Association / Beijing Design Society / Zhejiang Industrial Design Association / Guangxi Industrial Design Association / Hainan Art and Design Association / Harbin Creative Design Center / Hubei Cultural and Creative Industry Association / Yiwu Industrial Design Association / Sino-Foreign Cooperative Design Alliance 
Strategic Partners
Golden Pin Design Award / European Product Design Award / Oriental Design Award / MUSE Design Awards / OCD Oracle Creative Design / GDA Global Design Award / Golden Reed Industrial Design Award / Hainan International Designers Competition / Design Marathon / CDSA International Media Art & Creative Competition / ECA International Creative Design Competition / HAOGE Type / Hebei International Industrial Design Week / Huayun Award / ASEAN–China Design Convergence Competition
Academic Support Organizations
Design and Art Studies
02
AVADW's Participation Categories
Student Group
Includes postgraduate, undergraduate, and diploma students from higher education institutions (graduates within one year are also eligible).
Art Category
We welcome students, teachers, designers, and other creators to submit outstanding works.Projects that have previously received awards in domestic or international design competitions are also eligible, provided that the authors retain the rights to use and submit the work.
03
AVADW's Categories of Work
Art Category
Traditional Fine Arts: Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, comic art, watercolor, pastel, sketching, calligraphy, seal carving, etc.
Film and Media: Film and television advertising, commercial photography, short films, creative videos, promotional videos, digital imaging, etc.
Crafts: Ceramics, textile dyeing, lacquerware, fiber art, woodworking, batik, wood carving, horn carving, metalwork, leather craft, folk painting, paper cutting, weaving, paper art, and other exhibition-friendly intangible cultural heritage and artisan works.
Design Category
Industrial Product Design: Product design, industrial manufacturing, equipment and mobility design, cultural and creative product design, smart product design, etc.
Architecture and Environmental Design: Architectural design, urban planning, landscape design, interior design, exhibition design, public space design, etc.
Visual Communication Design: Advertising design, graphic design, UI (user interface) design, UX (user experience) design, VI (visual identity) design, book and editorial design, packaging design, typography, emoji/sticker design, etc.
Digital Media Art: Game design, animation and video design, web design, interactive design, app design, advertising design, etc.
Fashion and Apparel Design: Fashion design, jewelry design, accessories design, digital fashion design, etc.
AIGC (AI-Generated Content): AI-generated art (e.g., MidJourney, with manual post-processing), AI-generated images, AI-generated short videos, AI product design, AI installation design, etc.
Pure Physical Works: Suitable for entries without design boards or digital drafts, such as smart clothing, installation art, new bio-material applications in design, ceramic art, wearable technology, interactive installations, 3D-printed works, etc.
04
AVADW's Competition Timeline
Call for Entries
(From now until July 5, 2026) Participating teams and individuals shall complete the registration form and submit their works as required. Works can be submitted starting from the launch date.
Competition Evaluation
Preliminary Evaluation (July 5 – July 15, 2026)
Submission of Final Materials (July 15 – August 15, 2026): The evaluation will be conducted by a panel of experts, and all awards will be selected through professional review.
Final Evaluation (June 16 – August 25, 2026)
Announcement of Winners
(September 1, 2026) The list of winners will be published on the official website and WeChat Official Account.
05
AVADW's Award Categories
AVADA
Grand Award Gold Award Silver Award Bronze Award Special Invitation Excellence Award Finalist Award
Outstanding Instructor Award
Awarded to instructors whose student have won SSilver Award or above. An honorary certificate will be issued
Outstanding Instructor Award
Awarded to instructors whose student have won SSilver Award or above. An honorary certificate will be issued
Outstanding Organisation Award
Granted to participating institutions or associations. Evaluation is based on the number of submissions, award results, media coverage, and overall organizational performance.
Outstanding Individual Award
Awarded to individuals who have actively contributed to the organization of the competition. For more details, please contact the Organizing Committee.
Outstanding Host Institution
Available to institutions that apply and are approved by the Organizing Committee. Granted to schools that host promotional tours or exhibitions. Lead representatives will be honored with the title of Co-Curator.
Outstanding Media Partner
Granted to media outlets that actively promote the award call, coverage of winners, and related activities.
06
AVADW's Winner Benefits
Certificate Benefits
Award winners will receive certificates jointly issued and officially stamped by Asia Design Week and all Co-Organizing Institutions.
Offline Touring Exhibitions
Outstanding award-winning works will be selected for global touring exhibitions and jointly presented with strategic supporting partners.
In 2026, the tour is planned to cover 15 countries/regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including Mainland China, Macao (China), Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, India, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and others. (Specific works selected for each stop will be determined according to the exhibition themes and requirements of different partner institutions.)
Online Exhibition
In addition to being featured on Asia Design Week and partner platforms, selected award-winning works will be showcased on the official website of Asia Design Week.
Emerging Designers and Artists Support
Outstanding emerging artists and designers will receive support from the Asian Vanguard Cultural Fund. Beyond exhibition opportunities, they will also receive international media interviews and related press coverage.
Based on participants’ intentions, opportunities may include art auctions, design commercialization and transformation projects, collaborative development initiatives, as well as co-branded or original derivative product development.
Publication Opportunities
Outstanding works will be recommended for publication in Design and Art Studies, the China Art & Design Yearbook, and the Asian Vanguard Design Yearbook, among others.
Media Promotion and Communication Services
Promotion through the official website of Asia Design Week, its WeChat Official Account, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedln and Xiaohongshu.
Additional promotional support through strategic partners, including journals, magazines, and media news networks.
All Grand Prizes, Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards, Special Jury Awards, and Excellence Awards will be authorized by the Organizing Committee to use the official “Asian Vanguard Art and Design Award (AVADA)” logo (applicable to winners from 2025 onward) in exhibitions, publicity, publications, and future promotional materials—highlighting their distinguished recognition and enhancing professional credibility and international visibility.
07
AVADW's Participation Guidelines
Content Requirements for Submissions
  1. All entries must comply with the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China as well as those of the participant’s own country or region. Works should respect cultural diversity, gender, and religious beliefs. Any content that includes discrimination, offensive language, politically sensitive materials, or other inappropriate elements is strictly prohibited.
  2. If a work includes maps, geographic names, or references to countries or regions, it must adhere to internationally accepted standards and comply with the organizer’s guidelines. Misuse of such content may lead to disqualification, a zero score, and full liability on the part of the participant.
  3. Once registration is successfully submitted, modifications to the submitted information will not be accepted. Duplicate submissions of the same work under separate entries are also not allowed. Please verify your information carefully before submission.
  4. Entry withdrawal is not permitted after successful registration. Entry fees are non-refundable.
  5. A single work may be submitted to multiple award categories, provided the work fits the criteria of each category. Each submission must be completed separately and include its respective entry fee.
  6. Awards and certificates will be issued based on the participant names and order listed in the official entry form. In principle, modifications to awardee information will not be accepted after submission.
  7. Submitted works should not contain any identifying information, including the name of the school, participant(s), or logos from other competitions.
  8. All submissions must be original. Plagiarism, unauthorized copying, or any infringement of intellectual property rights is strictly prohibited. Participants are solely responsible for any legal disputes arising from infringement, and the organizing committee reserves the right to revoke any awards or qualifications.
  9. The authorship and intellectual property rights of all submitted works remain with the participants.
  10. The organizing committee reserves the right to promote, publish, present, exhibit, and distribute all submitted works through various media channels for non-commercial purposes.
  11. The organizing committee reserves the final right of interpretation for all terms and conditions of the competition and any other matters not specified herein.
Participant & Team Requirements

There is no limit to the number of works submitted by the same participant or across different categories.
Each work may list up to five (5) authors and up to two (2) instructors or mentors.

Judging Mechanism and Criteria
The competition will consist of two rounds of evaluation.
The preliminary review will be conducted by a panel composed of Organizing Committee members, senior design directors from leading enterprises, university professors, and industry experts. Qualified entries will be shortlisted and forwarded to the preliminary judging experts for further evaluation.
The preliminary evaluation will be conducted by a panel consisting of organizing committee members, senior enterprise design directors, university professors and industry experts. Qualified entries selected in the preliminary round will proceed to the final evaluation.
The final evaluation will be carried out by top experts from around the world..
All evaluations will be based on a scoring system that considers artistic expression, creativity, social value, and commercial potential of each submission, according to its category. Awards will be determined based on the average score calculated from the judges' evaluations.
The final results will be publicly announced on the official website, with a public notice period of no less than 5 days.
08
AVADW's Submission Requirements

According to the requirements displayed on the official website (https://www.asia-design-week.com/ ), the specific call for entries requirements for 2026 will be announced in mid-March, and all submissions shall be made through the official website system.

Organisation

INDIS 2026 - International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies

International Advisory Board

Prof. Cara Wrigley
University of Queensland
Prof. Louise Valentine
Heriot-Watt University, Dubai
Prof. KwanMyung Kim
Design Department, UNIST

Steering Committee

Prof. Pradyumna Vyas
President, World Design Organization
Prof. A. K. Das
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Pradeep Gururaj Yammiyavar
Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad
Prof. Utpal Barua
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. P V M Rao
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Avinash Shende
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Prof. Nishant Sharma
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Prof. Phani Tetali
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Prof. Puneet Tandon
IIITDM, Jabalpur
Prof. Shashank Mehta
National Institute of Design
Prof. Mamata N Rao
National Institute of Design
Prof. Nachiket Thakur
MIT Institute of Design

Organising Committee

Conference Chair
Prof. Pratul Chandra Kalita
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Conference Vice-Chair
Prof. Shakuntala Acharya
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Debayan Dhar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Dandeswar Bisoyi
MIT Institute of Design
Co-Chairs
Prof. D. Udaya Kumar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Sougata Karmakar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Keyur Sorathia
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Shrivastava Abhishek
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Santosh Jagtap
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Pratiksha Bankar
MIT Institute of Design
Prof. Binoj John
MIT Institute of Design
Prof. Arshiya Kapoor
MIT Institute of Design
Prof. Mathew Kurien
MIT Institute of Design
Prof. Sugandha Gaur
OCAD University, Canada
Key-Note Chairs
Prof. Shakuntala Acharya
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Publication Chairs
Prof. Debayan Dhar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Treasurer
Prof. Sheetal Madhav Gokhale
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Poster and Demo chair
Prof. Pankaj Upadhyay
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Hospitality and Social event chair
Prof. Supradip Das
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Asian Design Week Curator
Prof. Debayan Dhar
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Design & Social Media Co-Chairs
Prof. Manoj Majhi
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Mriganka Madhukailya
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Prof. Abhishek Singh
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Scientific Committee

Thematic Co-Chairs

Contact

International Conference on Design & Innovation Studies (INDIS 2026)

Conference Secretariat

Department of Design
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Assam - 781039, India

Email

indis2026@iitg.ac.in

Phone

+91-361-2582500
+91-361-2582451