Bengaluru is set to witness a vibrant confluence of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation as designers of JD Institute of Fashion Technology and JD School of Design present the much-anticipated JD Design Awards 2026, an immersive three-day Artisanal Design Fest, sponsored by Vantare Design, Medini, Pergola Design and Greenply Samet Pvt Ltd and co-sponsored by The Space Company, Outsoor Studio, Art & Bamboo, ARK infotechs Pvt Ltd and Adebeo scheduled from May 22 to 24, 2026, at the JD campus on Residency Road, Bengaluru.

Known for spotlighting emerging creative talent and industry-driven design education, the JD Design Awards has evolved into one of the city’s most awaited academic and experiential design showcases. This year’s edition centres around the theme of artisanal design and contemporary innovation, celebrating how traditional craftsmanship can seamlessly blend with sustainability, technology, and modern design thinking.

The event will bring together aspiring young designers, artists, industry professionals, innovators, and creative enthusiasts through an engaging line-up of workshops, installations, live demonstrations, panel discussions, and curated design showcases.

A key highlight of the festival is its hands-on artisanal workshops, where attendees can explore creative techniques such as cyanotype printing, terracotta art, glass fusing, polypropylene weaving, and digital illustration with Wacom. These sessions aim to encourage participants to reconnect with materiality and craftsmanship while discovering how traditional techniques can evolve through contemporary applications.

In addition to the workshops, the event will feature insightful talk sessions by Mr. Uttam Sharma, Creative Director at Viatris Inc and Mr. Md Ashraful Islam, Manager Projects – CPO, ITC Limited. The event will also include a future-focused panel discussions led by industry experts Dr. Naresh Babu N, Joint Secretary (Technical), Central Silk Board & CEO, Silk Mark Organization of India; Mr. Prashant Havinahal, Founder of InvisibleBed; Mr. Vinci Raj, Art Director & Creative Director and Dr. Gururaj Phatak , Assistant Professor- Marketing Area Department of Management Studies & Faculty of Management and Commerce M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. Conversations will revolve around innovation, sustainability, technology, and the growing importance of human-centred design across industries. 

Visitors can also expect the following: interactive design installations, live craft demonstrations, innovative design showcases (design projects of interior, jewellery, graphics, UI/UX, fashion communication and management), multidisciplinary creative displays, networking, and collaborative opportunities.

Speaking about the upcoming edition, Mr Nealesh Dalal, Managing Trustee, JD Educational Trust and founder of JD School of Design, shared, “JD Design Awards 2026 brings together the design community, creating a space where artisans, industry experts, panelists, and creative minds come together under one roof. The platform gives aspiring designers from JD Institute and JD School of Design an opportunity to showcase their creativity, innovation, and ideas to the world. By connecting young talent with the larger design ecosystem, the event encourages meaningful conversations around design, craftsmanship, and the future of creativity.”

The event is open to the public and welcomes students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about creativity and design.

Event Details:
JD Design Awards 2026 – Artisanal Design Fest
Dates: May 22–24, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Venue: JD Institute of Fashion Technology, #40, 4th Cross, Shanthala Nagar, Residency Road, Bengaluru – 560001