Design discourse | Design POV 2026
An insider's look at Design POV 2026, where Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia transformed a typical trade show into an open, intellectual playground
Every trade show has an unprogrammed ghost schedule unfolding in the margins—between panels and rushed espressos. For co-founders Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, this was just the starting point. Returning to Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, Design POV ‘26 is the definitive antidote to transactional expos. Under the theme Sense & Sensibility, the platform hosted 16 studios and 80+ brands. By trading static displays for unfiltered, lived experiences, Design POV proved that the industry’s best insights happen when you step completely outside the system.
Every trade show has an unprogrammed ghost schedule unfolding in the margins—between panels and rushed espressos. For co-founders Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, this was just the starting point. Returning to Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, Design POV ‘26 is the definitive antidote to transactional expos. Under the theme Sense & Sensibility, the platform hosted 16 studios and 80+ brands. By trading static displays for unfiltered, lived experiences, Design POV proved that the industry’s best insights happen when you step completely outside the system.
REDEFINING THE FORM
“Design POV began by listening to the honest exchanges happening outside exhibition halls, where networking isn’t mechanical,” reflects Gagan. To break this performative cycle, the co-founders rejected standard, risk-averse expo blueprints. “We weren’t trying to improve the system; we were stepping outside it,” explains Asif. While Gagan manages commercial scale, Asif anchors the conceptual rigour. This partnership democratised access to a legacy market that usually rewards insular networks. Design POV ‘26 also proved that raw curiosity and flawless execution—not mere privilege—should dictate industry opportunity.
THREE DAYS OF IMMERSION
Over three days, Design POV brought together cultural narratives, conscious sourcing and evolving digital systems in ways rarely experienced within the design industry. The Circle, which was created as an installation named Shared Frequencies, conceived by Doyel Joshi and Neil Ghose Balser of How Are You Feeling Studio, in collaboration with Saurabh Suryan of Fourthreefive, became a space for candid dialogue. Sessions were curated by Design Pataki and Epistle to explore multi-disciplinary topics. Here, a fireside chat between Tanmay Bhat and Ridhi Khosla Jalan explored themes of culture and design. Eztablish Design presented the POV RoundTable at The Red Room, creating spaces for more intimate and direct exchanges, while also hosting the POV Quest at the Workshop area. The platform drew industry professionals along with VIPs such as Jackie Shroff, Mr. Jay Ajitdada Pawar, Mrs. Rutuja Jay Pawar, Mr. Vishwas Nangare Patil Ji (IPS), Additional DGP, Maharashtra Police, Mr. Rajesh Agarwal Ji, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, amongst others.
UNSCRIPTED EVENINGS
Past twilight, sensory storytelling deepened during The Macallan Experience against The Circle, which was a private journey through craft, heritage, and innovation. The AllHome Networking evening and Essentia x POV Elevate afterparty at their store launch hosted architects, legacy brands, and emerging creators. Additionally, POV After Hours, led by Ali Baldiwala, invited architecture, interior, and product design students from Mumbai’s top institutes for exclusive walkthroughs.
DESIGNING FOR LONGEVITY
If the initial edition was a wild proof of concept, running out of its 2,500 entry bands by midday, Design POV ‘26 stands as pure conviction, transitioning from basic ambition to operational precision. Ultimately, Asif and Gagan measure success culturally, not numerically. Design POV has officially transformed into a playground for creatives, a space where design is treated with the emotional depth, sustained attention and systemic critique it truly deserves. As the curtains close on this edition, the community is already looking forward to the next one.
