A Three-Day Celebration Of Design, Sustainability And Innovation
The School Of The Future at Techno India University, in collaboration with Make Calcutta Relevant Again, successfully hosted the Kolkata Design Fest ’25 – a vibrant, three-day celebration of design, sustainability and innovation held from 22nd – 24th May, 2025. Spread across multiple venues, the festival brought together hundreds of students, professionals and design enthusiasts, highlighting the transformative power of creativity and future-oriented thinking.
The festival opened on 22nd May, 2025 at the ESEDS Campus with a day dedicated to the theme of sustainability and innovation. The schedule featured a design competition and a masterclass on fashion and interior design, followed by interactive workshops on crochet, print making and digital illustration. Attendees also explored a thoughtfully curated photo art exhibition and a student showcase of print works throughout the day. The evening culminated in a stunning fashion show featuring upcycled couture and a lively disco night hosted by the student council, setting a festive tone for the days ahead. 
On 23rd May, 2025 the focus shifted to École Intuit Lab, where participants took part in thought-provoking design competitions aimed at addressing environmental and social challenges. These included creating a billboard for climate action in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reimagining sustainable packaging for eco-conscious brands, and designing impactful posters centered on urgent global issues. The day concluded with the launch of the school’s annual student exhibition, Prophecy: Echoes of the Future, which immersed visitors in a sensory-rich experience combining light, sound and visual storytelling to reflect on the future of designs.
The final day hosted at Techno India University offered a powerful closing to the festival. The day included keynote speeches and masterclasses curated by the Association of Designers of India (ADI), along with a special masterclass on typography led by renowned designer, Ms Shilpi Chauhan Chakraborty. Her session provided an in-depth exploration of the evolution and cultural impact of typography in design communication. The festival concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony celebrating the winners of the competitions held on the first two days and a final fashion show by ESEDS students, showcasing fresh, sustainable design approaches. Sristi Barai bagged the first position, with Devangshi Samata and Debaisharjya Narayan Deb as the first and second runner ups respectively – and all three of them took home an iPad, a gorgeours memento and a goodie bag.
“Kolkata Design Fest ’25 was more than just a festival – it was a movement. We wanted to show the world that Kolkata is a serious design capital. This gathering of young creatives proved that innovation, sustainability, and culture can coexist and thrive when given the right platform”, said Mr Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Chief Innovation Officer, Techno India Group and Founder, Make Calcutta Relevant Again.
“Our mission at Techno India has always been to nurture future leaders and change makers. With the School of the Future and initiatives like this fest, we are committed to fostering a design-driven mindset that addresses global challenges while celebrating local creativity”, said Prof Manoshi Roy Chowdhury, Co-chairperson, Techno India Group.
Kolkata Design Fest ’25 proved to be a landmark event, amplifying the voices of emerging designers and spotlighting how creativity can drive meaningful change. It successfully bridged traditional and contemporary design narratives, leaving a lasting impression on the city’s cultural and innovation landscape.
