✨ 16–18 Nov 2026 • Jawahar Kala Kendra, JaipurJaipur Design Festival • All pass prices include GST

Three days. Six forums. Eleven workshops.

Big ideas, bold voices and hands that make, across Jawahar Kala Kendra.

16–18 November 2026, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. All pass prices include GST.

Programme Strand 1

Workshops that get you making.

Curated hands-on masterclasses led by master artisans, educators, and design pioneers.

A packed workshop room under festival bunting
Mon 16 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

The Art of Seeing

by Keya Vaswani. Film Making (Visual Story Telling, Mobile film making & Editing).

₹1,500 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Mon 16 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

Designed Storytelling Using Five Senses

by Mannat Bardia. Observe, interpret, and communicate stories through multiple sensory layers.

₹1,499 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Mon 16 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

50 Seats, 50 Stories (Session 1 of 2)

by Sana Soni. A two-session design-and-build workshop to create a full-scale coffee table in papier-mâché (covers both 16 & 18 Nov sessions).

₹10,500 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Tue 17 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

Character Design and Storytelling

by Phani Tetali. Approach towards character design as an integral tool in storytelling.

₹1,500 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Tue 17 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

What Children Can Teach Us About Learning, Making and Knowing

by Jinan K. B.. Retaining the Designer in the Child; Reawakening the Child in the Adult.

₹1,200 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Tue 17 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

The AHA Moment

by Niraj Shah. Creative Thinking Workshop unlocking lateral breakthroughs.

₹1,000 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Tue 17 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

Stories in Thread

by Sana Soni. Embroidery workshop & narrative textile exploration.

₹6,000 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Wed 18 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

Hands-on Experience

by Vikram Joshi. Hands-on masterclass with master artisan and textile pioneer Vikram Joshi (₹4,500 + GST).

₹5,310 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Wed 18 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

Understanding the "Law" of Design

by Sahibnoor Singh Sidhu. Copyright, IP, Trademarks, Contracts, and Dispute Resolution for creators.

₹1,499 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Wed 18 Nov
Morning, 10:30 to 1:00

Friends of Figma Make-a-Thon 2026

by Friends of Figma Jaipur. Collaborative fast-paced design sprint with Figma Make, AI-assisted design, product thinking and rapid prototyping.

₹708 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Wed 18 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

Metalscape

by Kamlesh Dal. Jewellery Design Workshop & metal smithing techniques.

₹900 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Wed 18 Nov
Afternoon, 2:30 to 5:00

50 Seats, 50 Stories (Session 2 of 2)

by Sana Soni. Second session of two-part intensive papier-mâché furniture masterclass (Finishing, painting & photoshoot; included with Session 1 pass).

Included with Session 1 (incl. GST)

Book seat
Programme Strand 2

Six Design Forums

Included with every festival pass. Panel discourses and insights from 30+ leaders shaping India's design landscape.

Day 1 (Mon 16 Nov) • 11:00 AM

Forum 1: EDUCATION BY DESIGN

Included in Festival Pass

This forum explores how design education can move beyond teaching skills and techniques to develop observation, curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, experimentation, collaboration and the ability to work with complexity.

Keynote Address
“Can design change the way we learn, teach and prepare for the future?”
— Mr. Jinan KB
Designing the Learner, Not Just the Classroom
How can design thinking, making and problem-solving transform school education?
Speaker: Ms. Manisha Mohan
From Rote to Creative Intelligence
Creativity, critical thinking, AI and the skills young people will need for an uncertain future.
Speaker: Mr. Sandeep Sethi
Learning from the Real World
How schools, design institutes, industry, craftspeople and communities can become learning ecosystems.
Speaker: Mr. Phani Tetali
Moderator: Ms. Lolita DuttaRead Forum details →
Day 1 (Mon 16 Nov) • 3:00 PM

Forum 2: CIRCULAR JAIPUR

Included in Festival Pass

This forum looks at the possibility of moving from a linear model of take–make–use–discard towards circular ways of designing, producing and consuming. Rather than treating sustainability as an isolated environmental concern, the forum asks how circular thinking can become embedded in the everyday functioning of the city—and how designers can help create systems that are economically viable, socially inclusive and regenerative.

Keynote Address
“Can we design a city where nothing is wasted?”
— Mr. Dileep Baid
Waste is a Design Failure
Rethinking packaging, consumption, segregation, recycling and the systems that create waste.
Speaker: Mr. Gaurav Shorey
The Second Life of Things
Upcycling, repair, reuse, material innovation and the new circular economy.
Speaker: Mr. Radhesh Agrahari
Designing a Regenerative City
Can waste become a resource for livelihoods, public spaces, architecture and industry?
Speaker: Dr. Vivek Agarwal
Moderator: Ms. Meenakshi SinghRead Forum details →
Day 2 (Tue 17 Nov) • 11:00 AM

Forum 3: CRAFTING IDENTITY

Included in Festival Pass

Jaipur's identity is deeply connected to its crafts, materials, techniques, architecture, textiles, jewellery, visual culture and communities of makers. This forum explores how craft and cultural knowledge can remain economically viable, relevant and meaningful while evolving for contemporary life. The larger question is how Jaipur can celebrate its cultural richness without turning it into a museum piece—and how design can help craft become a living, evolving and future-facing part of the city's identity and economy.

Keynote Address
“How can design help Jaipur's craft, culture and identity remain alive rather than simply preserved?”
— Ms. Mamta Mansingka
From Craft to Contemporary
How can traditional skills evolve into products, experiences and ideas relevant to today’s world?
Speaker: Ms. Geetanjali Kasliwal
Who Owns a Culture?
Authenticity, appropriation, intellectual property and the ethics of using cultural traditions in contemporary design.
Speaker: Ms. Meera Goradia, Mr. Ishwar Singh
Designing the Jaipur Brand
Beyond pink buildings and tourism clichés—what should Jaipur’s visual and cultural identity be in the future?
Speaker: Mr. Chandrashekhar Bheda
Moderator: Mr. Niraj ShahRead Forum details →
Day 2 (Tue 17 Nov) • 3:00 PM

Forum 4: THE CITY WE MAKE

Included in Festival Pass

This forum asks: What kind of Jaipur are we collectively making? It opens a conversation around public spaces, mobility, architecture, housing, infrastructure, heritage, streets, neighbourhoods and the relationship between the historic city and its expanding contemporary landscape. Speakers can examine how design can make the city more accessible, liveable, inclusive and responsive to its people while respecting its distinctive character.

Keynote Address
“Who gets to design the city and what kind of Jaipur do we want to create?”
— Mr. Naresh Narsimhan
A City for People
Inclusive, accessible, climate-responsive and beautiful neighbourhoods—and the role of designers in creating them.
Speaker: Ms. Manisha Sharma
Old City, New Life
How can heritage and contemporary life coexist without turning heritage into a museum?
Speaker: Mr. Gagan Sharma
Who Owns the Street?
Designing streets and public spaces for pedestrians, vendors, children, cyclists, cars and communities.
Speaker: Ms. Kavita Jain
Moderator: Ms. Preethi AgrawalRead Forum details →
Day 3 (Wed 18 Nov) • 11:00 AM

Forum 5: DESIGN INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE

Included in Festival Pass

This forum explores how stronger connections between designers, businesses, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, craft communities and institutions can create new value for Jaipur's economy and strengthen its creative ecosystem. It can also explore the opportunities for designers to become entrepreneurs and for industry to engage more meaningfully with design education and emerging talent. With Jaipur's strengths in craft, textiles, jewellery, furniture, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing and creative enterprise, the forum asks how the city can develop a more visible and connected design-led economy.

Keynote Address
“Can design become a powerful engine for business, entrepreneurship and Jaipur’s creative economy?”
— Ms. Leela Bordia
Jaipur to the World — Creating a Competitive Creative Economy
How can Jaipur leverage its strengths in craft, textiles, jewellery, furniture, architecture, hospitality, tourism and creative enterprise to build businesses and brands with national and global relevance
Speaker: Mr. Ayush Kasliwal
From Designer to Entrepreneur — Building the Next Generation of Design-led Businesses
Understanding how can designers turn creative ideas into viable brands, products, services and intellectual property.
Speaker: Mr. Chintan Bakshi
Design as a Business Strategy
Exploring product development, brand building, customer experience, service design and the role of designers in business decision-making
Speaker: Ms. Shilpa Sharma
Moderator: Ms. Sonal ChitranshiRead Forum details →
Day 3 (Wed 18 Nov) • 3:00 PM

Forum 6: THE FUTURE OF DESIGN

Included in Festival Pass

Design itself is changing rapidly. This forum looks ahead and asks what the profession might become and what responsibilities designers will carry in a world of accelerating change. Rather than predicting a single future, the forum aims to open a conversation about multiple possible futures and the role designers can play in shaping them consciously and responsibly.

Keynote Address
“When AI can design, generate and make almost anything, what is the role of the human designer?”
— Mr. Ayaz Basrai
What Should We Design?
Moving from designing more things to designing better systems, experiences, relationships and futures.
Speaker: Mr. Sujay S
Designing for a World We Cannot Predict
Climate change, new technologies, demographic shifts and radically changing lifestyles
Speaker: Mr. Nivedan Rathi
Design After AI
What happens to creativity, authorship and the role of the designer when machines can generate?
Speaker: Mr. Sukanto Roy
Moderator: Ms. Keya VaswaniRead Forum details →
Programme Strand 3

Pink Noise Evenings

Three evenings of live music, soundscapes and culture at Jawahar Kala Kendra amphitheatre from 6:30 pm.

🔒 Line-up & ticket details yet to be announced • Registrations are not open currently.
View Pink Noise Details →
Sunset behind a Jaipur palace
Programme Strand 4

Make-a-Thon by Friends of Figma

Figma Make & AI₹708 including GST24 Seats Max

The Figma Make-a-Thon 2026 is a hands-on, team-based product-building event centred around Figma Make, AI-assisted design, product thinking, research and rapid prototyping.

Participants will receive a problem statement, work in teams to understand the challenge, conduct research, develop a product solution using Figma Make, and present their final work to a jury.

View Full Make-a-Thon Details →Book on Pass
Friends of Figma
Jaipur Architecture
Programme Strand 5

Breakaway Trails

Curated architectural, craft and design walks navigating the vibrant heritage alleys and artisan ateliers of Jaipur.

Walk with historians, master craftspeople and urban architects. You can check the “Breakaway Trails — I am interested” box on your pass booking to get early trail notifications.

Explore Breakaway Trails →Express Interest in Passes
Programme Strand 6

Exhibitions & Installations

The red courtyards of Jawahar Kala Kendra

Living Craft Exhibitions

Curated showcase of indigenous textiles, blue pottery, and contemporary brass craftsmanship. Open all day.

Design Mentorship Hub

Portfolio reviews, master critiques and industry dialogues from seasoned design educators and practitioners.

Design Innovation Labs

Student challenges, circular economy prototypes, and experimental creative showcases across JKK courtyards.

Join the fest.
Register now.

Bring your curiosity. Bring your people. Let's have some fun.

Get your pass