BRIEF
THRESHOLDS – ON THE EDGE OF: Technology Transformations and Global Conflicts
The world is changing rapidly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new technologies are transforming how we live and work. At the same time, wars and global conflicts are affecting communities, displacing people, and putting pressure on natural resources such as land, water, and energy.
These challenges are often connected. For example, the growing demand for AI requires large data centres and other infrastructure, which need significant amounts of energy and resources.
How can art, architecture, and design help us understand these challenges and find meaningful solutions?
The 13th International Design Competition 2026–27 invites undergraduate and postgraduate students from illustration, graphic design, architecture, urban design, industrial design, and visual communication to explore these issues and propose creative solutions to explore these frontiers and bring forth innovative solutions that address these complex realities. Students are encouraged to identify real-world problems and develop design responses through posters, awareness campaigns, visual communication, films, products, architectural concepts, or urban interventions.
Key Areas to Explore
1. Technology and Changing Environments
How is the growth of technology changing the way we use land, water, energy, and other resources? How can we reduce its negative impact on people and the environment? (e.g. Changes in the access to of land, water and resources to favour technological infrastructure such as data centres, telecommunication corridors, etc.)
2. War, Conflict and Displacement
How do wars and territorial conflicts affect people, communities, homes, and cities? How can design help address these challenges and support affected communities? (e.g. Displacement of populations due to armed conflicts across nations, within regions, between communities, etc.)
3. Artificial Intelligence and Human Life
How can we use AI responsibly? How can technology support human creativity and abilities instead of replacing them? (e.g. Defining clear roles for AI to harness its capabilities while safeguarding human interests, human ability being expanded rather than obsolesced by AI, etc.)
What Is Expected from Participants?
- Research the problem: Understand the issue, its causes, and its impact on people and the environment.
- Develop a clear point of view: Identify what you want to address and why it matters.
- Explore creative solutions: Use design to communicate ideas, raise awareness, or propose practical interventions.
- Show the impact: Explain how your solution could help people, communities, or the environment.
Your final proposal should demonstrate thoughtful research, a clear design approach, and an innovative response to a real-world challenge.
The goal is to use design not just to highlight problems, but to imagine and create a better future.
JURY To Be Announced
JUDGING CRITERIA
After the receipt of all entries by the stipulated deadline, 50 entries will be selected in round 1 by the review team of ACA.
- Each jury member will be sent 17 entries for evaluation, from which they will choose the best 5.
- The best 5 entries from each of the 3 jurors will form the top 15 entries
- These 15 entries will then be sent to the entire panel for a joint evaluation, moderated by ACA where the final 3 winners will be decided on a joint consensus
- Official Declaration of the 3 winners.
NOTE
Copyright for all material received as part of the competition, its publication and for the reproduction of content shall be solely with ACA. All the entries will be the property of ACA.
COMPETITION STAGES
STAGE 1: Online Registration of entries on our website http://adityacampus.org/idc/register.
Registration opens on Oct, 10th - 2026
STAGE 2: Last date for online submission of entries until Dec, 31st - 2026.
All Submissions shall be made in PDF or JPEG format only.
Submissions shall be made only through the unique USER ID generated after registering on our website.
STAGE 3: IDC Jury - will be announced soon...
STAGE 4: Results will be announced soon...
PARTICIPANTSUNDERGRADUATE B.ARCH., BFA AND B.DES. STUDENTS POSTGRADUATE M.ARCH., MFA AND M.DES. STUDENTS RECENTLY GRADUATED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FROM THESE STREAMS |
ELIGIBILITYThe competition is open to students of Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. Undergraduate, Postgraduate and young professionals who have recently graduated are invited. |
AWARDSCertificates of honour and Cash Prizes to 3 Exemplary entries Certificates to 3 Runner-ups Certificates to 7 Globally relevant entries (*Note: In case the winners are foreign nationals, the amount shall be transferred in USD at prevailing rates) |
DELIVERABLES AND FORMATS
Deliverables and Formats:
1. Multimedia Advocacy Toolkit (Graphic Design & Illustration)
What it is: A comprehensive visual awareness campaign addressing one of the four main topics (e.g., Climate Change or AI Adoption).
Key components:
Campaign Art: A series of highly impactful posters, digital illustrations, or editorial spreads, magazine spreads or Billboard design
Medium: Digital Graphics for Magazine Spread, A1 Poster and 6mX3m
Graphical Communications: DataViz maps or infographics explaining the "underlying conditions" and "key causes" of the chosen conflict.
Medium: DataViz Maps and Digital Graphics on 4 A1 Boards
Digital Output: UI/UX prototypes for a mobile application or micro-website designed to educate affected communities.
Medium: Digital Applications/Micro-website format
2. Video Documentary or Motion Narrative (Visual Communication)
What it is: A short, impactful video or animated documentary (typically 2 to 3 minutes long).
Key components:
Analytical Narrative: A visual presentation mapping out the global adversity scenarios across the world.
Storyboarding: Style frames and storyboard panels included in your presentation boards to show the conceptual journey of the narrative.
Medium: Digital video (MP4 (H.264 codec 30-60 fps with closed caption subtitles)
3. Sustainable Product or System Design (Industrial Design)
What it is: A physical product, industrial solution, or circular service system meant to mitigate environmental impacts (such as resource scarcity or wildlife habitat loss).
Key components:
Ergonomic & Material Studies: Highlighting the use of eco-friendly or recycled resources.
Product Renderings: 3D CAD models, exploded views, and user-journey maps showcasing how the tool or device operates in real-world conditions.
Medium: Digital Graphics demonstrating the design, production and usage of the product on 4 A1 Boards
4. Restoring and Rebuilding Human Habitats (Architectural Design)
What it is: A physical built environment that needs restoration and rebuilding in the aftermath of damage inflicted by either a climate disaster or a human conflict.
Key components:
Build Environments & Human Settlements: Showcasing sustainable strategies and innovative solutions for rebuilding with resilience.
Building materials & Construction Technologies: Developing innovative methods of using local and recycled building materials as well as carbon neutral construction systems.
Medium: Digital Graphics demonstrating the design, construction and materials of the building on 4 A1 Boards
Awards
Certificates and Prize money:
Certificates of honour and Cash Prizes to 3 Exemplary entries?
Certificates to 3 Runner-ups ?
Certificates to 7 Globally relevant entries?
(*Note: In case the winners are foreign nationals, the amount shall be transferred in USD at prevailing rates)
Winning entries will be published in ACA’s COA approved publication for 2026-27.
NOTE:
Copyright for all material received as part of the competition, its publication and for the reproduction of content shall be solely with ACA. All the entries will be the property of ACA.
Contact Us
ADDRESS
Aditya College of Architecture,
Aditya Educational Campus,
R. M. Bhattad Road, Ram Nagar,
Borivali (West), Mumbai 400 092
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: ACA’s International Design Competition
Instagram Handle: adityacampus.idc
EMAIL ID
In case of any queries feel free to write to us at
idc.aditya@aditya-arch.edu.in
Or visit us at
PHONE
+91 9833300496
+91 22 35206135
Important Dates
REGISTRATIONS OPEN: Oct, 10th - 2026
DATE OF RECEIVING FINAL SUBMISSION: Dec, 31st - 2026
DECLARATION OF RESULTS: to be announced soon...
NOTE: REGISTRATIONS ARE FREE
