Budding designers explore the world of materials and exhibition design at MATECIA 2026

Recognising the importance of experiential learning in design education, the Apeejay Institute of Design (AID) continues to create opportunities for students to engage directly with the design industry and understand practices beyond the classroom. In keeping with this commitment, the Department of Interior Design organised a field visit to MATECIA Building Materials Exhibition 2026 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi.

The visit was organised for students of the GDP (Graphic Design Programme), EDD (Executive Diploma in Design) and BTE programmes, who were accompanied by their Interior Design faculty members, Ms. Garima J. Saini and Dr. Priyanka Shukla. Held from 20 to 23 August 2026, MATECIA brought together manufacturers, material brands, architects, interior designers, builders, designers and other professionals from across the built-environment industry, offering students an opportunity to observe the latest developments in the sector.

The exhibition presented an extensive range of building materials and interior products, including laminates and surfaces, plywood and boards, decorative veneers, hardware and fittings, flooring, wall and ceiling solutions, doors and windows, lighting, bathware, furniture, tiles, stone, paints and coatings, façade and cladding systems, and woodworking technologies. Brands associated with the 2026 exhibition included Century Ply, Duroply, Greenlam, SRG, TESA Inside, Amulya Mica, Euro Pratik and Ozone, representing diverse segments of the building-material and interior-products industry.

The visit, however, extended beyond material exploration. Students closely observed the exhibition design and display strategies adopted by participating brands. Innovative kiosk designs, spatial planning, product presentation and visual communication particularly captured their attention, helping them understand how physical spaces can be designed to create memorable brand experiences and attract visitors.

Sharing his experience, Manish Sharma, EDD, 1st Semester, Interior Design, said that the exhibition offered him an opportunity to explore decorative papers, laminates, boards, veneers, hardware and different surface finishes in varied colours, patterns and textures. He particularly appreciated the marble, wood and contemporary patterned finishes, observing how subtle changes in materials can transform an interior. He added that the exhibition also enhanced his understanding of exhibition layout, current trends in interior materials and both the creative and practical dimensions of interior design.

Asad, GDP, 3rd Semester, Interior Design, shared that the visit broadened his knowledge of materials and exposed him to a wide variety of patterns and details. He found the organisation of displays particularly insightful, as it offered ideas for future exhibitions and demonstrated different ways of attracting attention to products. Interactions with vendors further helped him understand the intended applications of various materials.

The field visit reaffirmed AID’s commitment to student-centric and experiential learning, enabling students to move from merely knowing about materials to seeing, touching, comparing and understanding them in their real-world context. Such exposure strengthens observation, critical thinking and industry awareness, preparing students to become informed, creative and industry-ready design professionals.