A jacket that can transform into a bag. A typeface specifically designed for embroiderers who may not be proficient in English. A backpack crafted to enhance the experience of hiking and trekking. These innovative projects were showcased at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi this week, representing the graduation work of students from the World University of Design (WUD) in Sonipat.
The second edition of the Made in WUD (MIW) Design Show 2026 featured a selection of 60 projects chosen from more than 319 graduation works produced at WUD. The exhibition, which ran until May 31 at the Visual Arts Gallery, covered a wide array of disciplines including fashion and textile design, architecture, product design, user interface/user experience (UI/UX), animation, and digital media.
A notable aspect of this exhibition is its focus on collaboration with the industry. Each student in their final year is required to partner with a company, facilitating a direct pathway to market for their creations. Vice Chancellor Sanjay Gupta remarked, “In India, art, architecture, and design colleges often operate in isolation. We have integrated these fields and encouraged collaborative efforts.” He further emphasized that the MIW Design Show embodies the future of creative education by promoting interdisciplinary interactions and fostering industry involvement, while encouraging students to expand their creative horizons.
Devender Singh Kharb, the founding Dean of WUD’s School of Fashion, highlighted a student’s textile collection created in partnership with Mahajan Overseas Pvt Ltd and Maspar, a textile export company based in Panipat, which has been included in their purchasing catalog. Another student developed a clothing line aimed at children with anxiety and special needs, featuring a “fidgety” collection that includes detachable patches and trims, providing sensory engagement for young users.
Among the showcased projects was Tanush Debnath’s Nomad-85, a roll-top trekking backpack made from durable ripstop fabric, which is set to launch on the company’s website within two weeks. He dedicated 70% of his design time to studying ergonomics. “It features a suspension system that allows for a noticeable spring effect,” he explained. “Even if you are carrying 5 kg, it feels more like 3 kg due to the way it manages weight through potential and kinetic energy.” This backpack is designed for extended treks lasting 15 to 20 days, addressing the issue of accessibility in outdoor gear.
Anna Raphy, a 22-year-old fashion design student who collaborated with the block-printing brand Crystal Heal, focused on sustainability by demonstrating how to repurpose waste materials. She identified that the “underlay” fabric, which is typically discarded after printing, could be transformed into a garment. “Even imperfect materials can evolve into beautiful pieces with their own stories,” she remarked. Her creation is a unisex jacket that can also function as a bag, dyed using a stone-wash technique that adds texture and character to the leftover fabric, making each item one-of-a-kind.
The exhibition also highlighted Aparna Patidar, a 22-year-old student in Fashion Communication, who dedicated her graduation project to developing a visual narrative for Mori, a brand that identifies craft clusters and elevates their work to contemporary art. She intentionally chose hand-drawn illustrations over photographs to portray artisans’ faces without compromising their anonymity. Her detailed illustrations resemble photographs, a skill honed through extensive life sketching during her studies, including live sketches in Kutch that captured the intricacies of fabric and clothing.
