Taking place from 1–4 July 2026, this evolution reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of
design today, offering a richer, more connected experience for both exhibitors and visitors.
For over 40 years, New Designers has championed emerging creative talent, providing a vital
platform for more than 2,500 graduates annually to present their visionary ideas to industry
professionals and the public. The 2026 edition marks an exciting new chapter, uniting graduates from
across the UK in a single, cohesive showcase taking place over one-week – a move from the previous
two-week format, with design disciplines divided across each week.
The event will feature work spanning a broad spectrum of disciplines, including Fashion and
Costume; Contemporary Design Crafts; Textiles; Ceramics; Glass; Jewellery and Metalwork; Furniture;
Product and Industrial Design; Architecture; Graphic Design; Illustration and Animation; Motion and
Digital Arts; UX and Game Design, demonstrating the breadth and innovation of the UK’s design
education sector. With top universities from across the UK bringing 100+ BA and MA courses the new
format will be much easier for industry to connect with graduate designers in-person under one roof.
Amongst the plethora of leading universities, Manchester School of Art will bring seven courses
ranging from BA(Hons) Craft to BA(Hons) Textiles to BA(Hons) Interior Design and BA(Hons)
Illustration with Animation while University of Staffordshire will be presenting three courses ranging
from BA (Hons) Product, Furniture, Ceramics, to BA (Hons) Automotive & Transport Design,
illustrating that the new one-week format will allow for much more cross design discipline
collaboration. Full exhibitor list here.
