This collaborative Design & Innovation Hackathon goes to leading design campuses including Rachana Sansad College of Applied Art and Craft & NIFT.

It places participants in the heart of the action, as they embark on a journey to tackle live projects and address a myriad of design, problem solving and communication challenges presented by real clients with real problems.

A unique program

Unlike conventional programs, this initiative is not confined to the theoretical realm; it's a hands-on experience where students get to grapple with authentic issues sourced directly from industry stakeholders. The projects provide a comprehensive canvas for students to unleash their creativity and problem-solving prowess.

Dual focus

The beauty of this collaboration lies in its dual focus on hackathon dynamics and venture design principles. Students aren't just solving problems; they're crafting solutions with a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset. The synergistic partnership between the campus and NYUCT Design Labs ensures that participants benefit from a holistic blend of academic excellence and business led creativity.

Practical and hands on

The program stands out for its emphasis on method, curriculum and business led creativity to solve industry problems. By working on projects from industry and with the venture design curriculum and frameworks, students gain not only technical skills but also a profound understanding of client expectations and industry standards. This real-world exposure equips them with the practical knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the design and communication landscape.

In essence, this hackathon and venture design program is a gateway for students to bridge the gap between academia and industry, emerging not just as designers and communicators but as adept problem solvers who can thrive in the fast-paced world of real client demands.

The program stands out for its emphasis on method, curriculum and business led creativity to solve industry problems. By working on projects from industry and with the venture design curriculum and frameworks, students gain not only technical skills but also a profound understanding of client expectations and industry standards. This real-world exposure equips them with the practical knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the design and communication landscape.

In essence, this hackathon and venture design program is a gateway for students to bridge the gap between academia and industry, emerging not just as designers and communicators but as adept problem solvers who can thrive in the fast-paced world of real client demands.

Campus Partners

Rachana Sansad College of Applied Art and Craft is a campus where a student is shaped into what he or she will become through their choice of field. It is an institute that provides an environment that is more than just a place of learning. It is a place of education, exploration, and experimentation- a home.

The Rachana Sansad College of Applied Art and Craft is home to almost 300 such students. It is a place that has defined the best times of an aspiring commercial artist’s student life. This is where you lay the basic foundation of your identity as an applied artist by learning more about your own self through your failures and successes, testing your limits as an artist and as a human being.

Set up in 1986, NIFT is the pioneering institute of fashion education in the country and has been in the vanguard of providing professional human resource to the textile and apparel industry. It was made a statutory institute in 2006 by an Act of the Indian Parliament with the President of India as ‘Visitor’ and has full fledged campuses all across the country. Over the years NIFT has also been working as a knowledge service provider to the Union and State governments in the area of design development and positioning of handlooms and handicrafts.

As one of India’s most iconic institutions, Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture & Design has a legacy that spans generations of artists, architects, and designers. Known for its academic rigor and creative freedom, the school has consistently produced leaders who have shaped India’s art and design identity.

Its approach fosters deep inquiry into aesthetics, materiality, and cultural context, while also embracing innovation and experimentation. With its unmatched reputation and the creative community, Sir J.J. remains a beacon of artistic and design excellence.

Sophia College for Women integrates art, design, and critical inquiry within a holistic education framework. Its programs foster both technical skill and critical thinking, encouraging students to develop their own visual language.

The campus creates an environment of empowerment, where creativity becomes a tool for both personal growth and social change. Sophia’s art and design programs continue to inspire women to engage with the world as bold, thoughtful creators and changemakers.

Vasantdada Patil College has built its reputation as a centre for applied arts education. The college offers a strong grounding in visual communication, illustration, and design, encouraging students to connect technique with concept.

Its teaching philosophy values both precision and imagination, preparing learners to take on complex creative briefs. The campus continues to shape versatile designers prepared for real-world impact.

VIVA Institute of Applied Art is recognized for building a design culture that is both industry-ready and creatively charged. With a focus on applied art, advertising, and communication design, students learn to craft visuals that are as purposeful as they are aesthetic.

The institute blends hands-on projects with critical thinking, ensuring students can navigate the fast-changing creative industry.

B. S. Bandekar College of Fine Art is dedicated to cultivating the sensibilities of fine art and design through a practice-driven curriculum. Known for its emphasis on drawing, painting, and applied arts, the college provides a foundation where students are encouraged to explore multiple media, experiment with form, and tell stories that resonate with culture and community.

Its pedagogy bridges discipline with freedom, ensuring graduates carry both technical rigor and artistic independence. B. S. Bandekar College of Fine Art stands as a space where emerging artists grow into confident creators with a strong visual language.