Through immersive engagement, hands-on learning and meaningful dialogue, Open House 2026 enabled aspiring designers to move beyond the conventional understanding of design

Ahmedabad, 26th May 2026: Following the success of its first edition, Anant National University hosted the second edition of Open House 2026 at its Ahmedabad campus. Aspiring designers from more than 40 cities, along with their parents, participated in the two-day immersive experience to explore design in its truest form.

Bringing together participants from diverse cities and academic backgrounds, the second edition was designed to help students understand design not merely as aesthetics or decoration, but as a discipline rooted in critical thinking, systems understanding, innovation and problem-solving. Through direct engagement with Anant’s academic ecosystem, participants experienced how design education can shape meaningful responses to contemporary challenges, for India and the world.

Attended by close to 400 students and parents, the Open House offered students a first-hand understanding of design education at Anant. Through hands-on workshops led by more than 30 Anant faculty, studio walkthroughs and engagement with mentors and peers, participants experienced how ideas evolve and how concepts lead to prototypes and solutions in real-world contexts.

The Open House also offered participants insights into Anant’s flexible, future-focused academic approach, which integrates design with sustainability, technology, research and interdisciplinary learning. Specially curated discussions also helped them understand the various career pathways and career opportunities that design offers.

Parents of the participants also engaged enthusiastically throughout the experience, gaining a deeper understanding of the scope, relevance and career potential of design education. By creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and interaction, the initiative helped families make more informed academic decisions while building greater awareness around the expanding possibilities within the design discipline.

Additionally, Anant alumni actively engaged with the participants, sharing their academic and professional journeys after graduating from the University. They spoke about how their education at Anant provided them with a strong foundational base in design thinking, enabling them to confidently pursue diverse career pathways, ranging from industry placements and entrepreneurship to higher education opportunities at leading global institutions.

The overall Open House experience was further enriched by a vibrant drum circle session on campus, which created a shared moment of energy, connection and celebration, bringing participants, students and faculty together in an atmosphere of collective expression and joy.