Leading the Way in Global Design Competitions and Events

Table of contents

• Guinness World Record Holder
• Winner at Women’s Independent Film Festival, Los Angeles
• World of Wearable Arts (WOW), New Zealand Finalists
• Winner at Mokkho International Film Festival

What role does innovation play in redefining the landscape of design education in India? The journeys of IIAD graduates provide a thought-provoking lens into this question. Their achievements—ranging from record-breaking art installations to award-winning films and provocative fashion collections—underscore the impact of a unique pedagogy which prioritises exploration, critical thinking and the ability to engage with pressing social and cultural challenges. These milestones reflect how design can inspire meaningful change, breaking boundaries and representing Indian design on global platforms, as witnessed in these milestones. 

Guinness World Record Holder

Kanika Aggarwal from the Interior Architecture & Design programme (2017-23) made history with her ambitious installation of 2,500 handcrafted paper dolls, setting a new Guinness World Record. The previous record stood at 2,111 dolls. Over the course of a year, Kanika worked on this project with support from IIAD faculty, who advised her on paper selection and technical aspects. Her achievement demonstrates how IIAD encourages students to pursue ambitious creative goals.

Winner at Women’s Independent Film Festival, Los Angeles

Shreya Arora (Communication Design, 2018–22) has made a significant contribution to the fields of Animation and Filmmaking with her recognition as the Best Short Script Award (Runner-Up) recipient at the Women's Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles. Her animated film, Women's Folklore, thoughtfully explores crucial social issues through the creative use of cut-out animation techniques. Addressing topics such as gender, equality and sexuality, the film serves as an important cultural dialogue, especially for young adult audiences—marking a noteworthy milestone in IIAD’s 10-year journey.

World of Wearable Arts (WOW), New Zealand Finalists

In 2024, IIAD fashion design graduates Sanskriti Maheshwari and Naseeb Sihag achieved significant recognition by reaching the finals of the World of Wearable Arts (WOW) competition in New Zealand.  Themed, “Dream Awake,” the 2024-edition competition invited designers to explore their wildest imaginations. Finalists hailed from 15 countries and presented pieces crafted from diverse materials—from reclaimed glass to sculpted metal.

Inspired by Hindu mythology, Sanskriti Maheshwari (Fashion Design, Batch 2020-24) designed a collection titled “Human Morphosis and Beyond" which reimagines the ancient stories of hybrid beings that amalgamate human and natural elements.  Her design is a unique exploration of human adaptability, inspired by the mythological Matsya avatar—a hybrid form of fish—and Lord Vishnu. In other words, it is a provocative rediscovery of bodily transformation, specifically how humans evolve in an underwater environment. “Through the silhouettes and contrasting materials, I wanted to evoke the idea of humans as part of an interconnected ecosystem, both predators and victims,”  states Sanskriti.

For Naseeb (Fashion Design, Batch 2020-24), his design is a deeply personal journey of reconnecting with childhood memories. His collection, named “Ghersa” (meaning “from home”), pays homage to the resilient and timeless elements that define home for him. Inspired by his rural upbringing, his designs feature a curation of textures and imagery using woven ropes and clay pots and traditional motifs from village life, adding a modern twist to them. "The rope becomes symbolic of my strokes—strong, resilient, versatile, endless, and flimsy" he shares. These collections push forward this notion that Indian designers can create impact on international platforms while bringing fresh perspectives to global fashion.

Winner at Mokkho International Film Festival

In 2024, Nanki Ghuman (Communication Design, 2020-24) won two awards for the Best Student Short Film and Best Director category at the Mokkho International Film Festival for her mixed-media film inspired by Gond Art. Nanki Ghuman’s “Patangarh Ka Hero” is a cinematic mixed-media experiment which reimagines Gond art for the contemporary viewer. Through the innovative use of Adobe After Effects to animate traditional hand-drawn illustrations, juxtaposed with real-world footage and enhanced by pixelation effects, the film reinvigorates the traditional art form. The interplay of painted animations, pixelated characters and 2D transitions creates a dynamic visual language which is both respectful of Gond art’s heritage and forward-looking in its aesthetic.

Ghuman credits her alma mater, IIAD, for providing the resources and support necessary to bring her vision to life. “IIAD offered invaluable guidance and an open-minded environment, allowing me to explore my topic deeply,” she reflects. The support she received from Shaaz Ahmed (Associate Professor, Communication Design) was particularly pivotal. “He motivated and pushed me to start this film in a unique style that I hadn’t practiced before. His confidence in me was instrumental in helping me complete the film,” she quotes for an interview with a Canadian magazine Cultural Crossroads. 

These international achievements demonstrate the award-winning institution’s support in bringing forth unique creative voices by nurturing students for careers in creative industries. These milestones—from world records in art installations to award-winning films and innovative fashion design—show how IIAD students continue to make their mark across different design disciplines. As IIAD completes its first decade, these accomplishments lay the groundwork for future students to pursue excellence in their chosen creative paths.