AJC+ Himalayan Design & Writing Retreat 2026

AJC+ Himalayan Design & Writing Retreat 2026, 26 to 29 July 2026 | Village Tilwari, Uttarakhand, India

As AJC+ celebrates ten years of initiatives in architecture, design, publishing, research, and education (2016 – 2026), we are delighted to announce the AJC+ Himalayan Design & Writing Retreat 2026. Scheduled from 26 – 29 July 2026, the retreat will take place at a Learning Centre and Eco-Resort in the village of Tilwari, Uttarakhand, located approximately 1.3 hours from Dehradun Airport and 50 mins from Dehradun Railway Station.

Conceived as an intensive residential program, the retreat brings together students, recent graduates, educators, researchers, architects, designers, artists, writers, journalists, and creative practitioners for four days of learning, discussion, reflection, collaborative writing, and knowledge exchange in the peaceful foothills of the Himalayas.

Unlike a conventional workshop, the program is structured as a collaborative academic and editorial experience that encourages participants to engage critically with contemporary questions surrounding design, culture, technology, accessibility, communication, and knowledge production.

The retreat is open to participants from all disciplines and levels of experience who are interested in exploring the intersections between design, writing, research, and contemporary creative practice.

Thematic Strands

1. Design Journalism, Critical Writing & Publishing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

   
   

This thematic strand explores the evolving relationship between design, media, writing, publishing, and emerging technologies.

Participants will examine how artificial intelligence is influencing research methodologies, editorial processes, publishing practices, communication strategies, and knowledge production. Through lectures, discussions, editorial workshops, and writing exercises, participants will develop practical skills in critical writing while reflecting upon the continuing importance of observation, interpretation, ethics, and human judgement in an increasingly automated environment.

The program is particularly relevant for those interested in design communication, journalism, publishing, research, curation, criticism, and cultural production.

2. Design Thinking, Product Design & Communication Design

   
   

This thematic strand introduces participants to selected principles, methods, and practices that shape contemporary design across a range of disciplines. Through lectures, discussions, case studies, and collaborative exercises, participants will explore how designers identify challenges, develop ideas, communicate concepts, and create meaningful experiences for diverse users and audiences.

Alongside an introduction to design thinking methodologies, participants will engage with examples from product design, communication design, graphic design, interaction design, service design, and related fields. The program will examine how design decisions are influenced by social, cultural, technological, and environmental contexts, while encouraging participants to critically reflect upon the role of design in addressing contemporary challenges.

Particular attention will be given to creativity, storytelling, user-centred approaches, accessibility, visual communication, and innovation, providing participants with a broader understanding of how ideas, products, services, and knowledge are conceived, developed, communicated, and experienced.

Collaborative Publication

One of the distinctive features of the retreat is its collaborative publication initiative.

Selected active participants will be invited to contribute essays, reflections, interviews, visual narratives, or written work developed during and after the programme. Participants will receive editorial guidance and gain first-hand exposure to publication methodologies developed through AJC+ Publications.

The final edited volume will be published as an Open Access publication in collaboration with a German library, providing participants with valuable experience of professional editorial workflows, peer review, and publication processes.

More information about previous publications can be found at:https://www.ajc-plus.com/publications

Participation

1. General Participants: 4 Days / 3 Nights Residential Programme

Programme Fee:₹26,000 per participant

The fee includes:

• Accommodation (four sharing/ dormitory-style basis)

• All meals during the program

• Lectures, workshops, discussions, and activities

• Participation in the publication project (for selected active participants)

• Certificate of Participation with 2 ECTS Credits certified through AJC Germany

Please note that travel to and from Dehradun is not included.

2. Day Participants // Two-Day Non-Residential Workshop Program

   
   

Programme Fee: ₹8,000 per participant

This category is particularly suitable for students, educators, and professionals based in Dehradun and neighbouring regions who wish to participate in selected components of the retreat without overnight accommodation.

Day participants will join the program on the second and third day of the retreat and will participate in selected lectures, workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities.

The fee includes:

• Participation in all scheduled activities for two days

• Lunch, tea, and refreshments during programme hours

• Certificate of Participation

Please note that accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and transportation are not included under this category.

Who Should Apply?

The retreat is open to:

• Students and recent graduates

• Architects and designers

• Artists and creative practitioners

• Researchers and scholars

• Writers, editors, and journalists

• Educators and academic professionals

• Individuals interested in design, culture, communication, and critical thinking

Registration

Enrollment is open until 15 July 2026.

As participation is limited, early registration is strongly encouraged.

For registration and further information, please contact:

plusajc@gmail.com

We warmly invite institutions, colleagues, students, researchers, and members of the wider creative community to share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested.

Join us for four days of learning, writing, reflection, discussion, and meaningful conversations in the foothills of the Himalayas.

AJC+ Celebrating 10 Years (2016–2026)

Cover image generated using OpenAI.