Learning Beyond Classrooms: Graphic design students explore World Book Fair 2026

The Graphic Design Department organised an enriching educational visit to the World Book Fair 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi for students of GDP IV Semester and EDD IV and VI Semesters. The visit was planned with the objective of providing students with experiential learning opportunities by exposing them to real-world applications of design, marketing, and promotional strategies in a large-scale public event.

During the visit, students explored a wide range of indoor and outdoor marketing and promotional media used at the fair. They closely observed banners, hoardings, scrollers, standees, pole posters, kiosks, and other display formats strategically placed to attract visitors and enhance footfall. The effective use of visual hierarchy, colour schemes, typography, and placement helped students understand how design plays a crucial role in audience engagement within a dynamic environment.

A key highlight of the visit was the study of mascot-based promotions used for the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. Students analysed the thoughtful and creative use of mascots such as Vidya, Saraswati, and Vigyan, which were designed to appeal to diverse age groups while promoting digital libraries and e-books. This offered valuable insight into how characters and visual storytelling can strengthen brand recall and communicate educational messages effectively.

Beyond promotional strategies, students were introduced to “The Art of Book Designing”, gaining hands-on exposure to the complete design process. They examined book cover designs, inside page layouts, paper selection, typography choices, and formatting across various segments including novels, short stories, science and technology publications, fiction, academic books, and children’s literature. Special attention was given to understanding how design sensibilities change according to the target audience—ranging from young children and teenagers to college students and adult readers.

Students were particularly fascinated by the innovative execution of 3D books, which featured pop-ups, cut-outs, layered visuals, and the use of indigenous materials beyond conventional paper. These creative elements demonstrated how tactile and interactive designs enhance reader engagement, especially in children’s literature.

The visit also reinforced the growing importance of integrating physical and digital reading platforms, as students observed how e-books and digital libraries were promoted alongside traditional print media to encourage a culture of reading in the digital age.

Sharing her reflection, Sharon Rai, IV Semester, GDP (Graphic Design), said, “We visited the Book Fair 2026 with the objective of studying the book designing, outdoor advertising and promotional media used to promote the event. The visit focused on observing hoardings, banners, posters, pole displays, kiosks, and other promotional materials used to attract people and increase footfall. Informational kiosks and standees were also used to guide visitors and highlight special sections.”

She further added, “An important part of the promotion was e-Pustakalaya, digital libraries and e-books, promoting both physical and digital reading. Along with studying the promotions, we also explored the children’s section,where we observed many variations in books, including the use of pop-ups, bright colours, creative layouts, and different typography styles, which made the books visually engaging and interesting. Overall, the visit helped us understand how outdoor advertising, digital promotion, and book design together support large public events and encourage a culture of reading.”

Such experiential learning initiatives leave a lasting impression on young minds, equipping students with practical insights that extend beyond the classroom. The visit to the World Book Fair 2026 proved to be an inspiring and educational experience, helping students stay ahead of the curve in their creative and professional journeys.