Brand Xperience

About the Event:

BrandXperience is an innovative branding challenge that blends creativity with strategy. Organized as part of IIIT Nagpur's flagship tech fest TantraFiesta 2026, this is an event by Strokes(Design Club) in collaboration with Probe(Photography & Videography Club).

Participants will step into the shoes of a brand strategist, using the powerful tools of videography, photography, editing, and design to craft a complete brand identity from scratch. From logos and colour palettes to storytelling visuals, teams will showcase how design and media can bring a brand to life.

What We're Looking For:

• Innovative branding and marketing solutions for fictional or real-world brands.
• Campaigns that demonstrate originality, strategic thinking, and compelling storytelling.
• Final presentations that showcase creativity, strong design sense, and an emotional connection with the audience.

Event Structure

Preliminary Round (Online) – Concept Pitch

Before the on-campus rounds, teams must submit a Brand case study (PDF) on a Real brand of their choice. Template Link: BrandX Round 1 Template

The case study should highlight:

• Key design, promotion, and marketing aspects of the brand
• Identified flaws or gaps in this area
• A brief suggestion or direction for improvement
• Submission Window Start: 12 OCT
• Submission Window End: 20 OCT
• Submissions will be evaluated on originality, feasibility, and creativity.
• Shortlisted teams will qualify for the on-site rounds.

Day 1 – Kick-off & Design Sprint

The on-ground event begins on Day 0 .Teams will get 8 hours in an offline, hackathon-style setting to craft the foundation of their brand's visual identity based on a given Problem Statement which will be announced prior the start of the event. Brand's Visual Identity will be:

• Logo Design & Color Palette
• Typography & Mood Board Creation
• Mockups/Product Packaging Design
• Social Media Graphics & Templates
• Brand Pattern or Texture
• Brand Mascot / Character Design - optional
• Digital Ads (static + motion graphics) - optional

This phase focuses on developing a complete design case study for the brand. By the conclusion of the event, participants must submit a link to a Design file containing all specified designs, accompanied by a Design process deck that outlines design references, the complete ideation and design methodology, and the full brand identity, in line with the standards of professional design portfolios.

Start: 24th Oct, 6:00 PM End: 25th Oct, 2:00 AM

Day 2 – Promotional Video & Storytelling

After the design phase, participants create a promotional ad / short video, using their logos, fonts, colours, and other design elements. They'll combine videography, photography, editing, and storytelling skills to communicate the brand's personality. Editing and final assembly must be completed by the 4:00 PM 25th Oct deadline.

• The video should not be a reel; it must be a proper video showcasing the storytelling and essence of the product.
• Required length: 1.5–2 minutes.
• Aspect ratio: 16:9.
• Studio will be provided (optional to use), and participants may also use institute elements for shooting.
• The storytelling aspect should be incorporated well in the advertisement.
• The video should purely focus on the product without diverting away from it.

Final Pitch & Evaluation

• Each team will present its projects to the jury, explaining:
• Their thought process and reasoning behind each design choice
• Filming techniques, creative direction, and overall narrative.
• Branding and marketing elements, demonstrating how effectively the brand identity is developed and represented on paper

This event is Scheduled at 4:00 PM 25 October

Evaluation & Judgement Criteria

• Each team will be scored out of 100 points:
• Design Case Study – 40 marks: Quality, originality, and consistency of the brand identity (logo, colour palette, typography, posters, etc.).
• Promotional Video – 40 marks: Creativity, videography/photography skills, editing, and how well the video conveys the brand story.
• Final Pitch – 20 marks: Clarity of presentation, explanation of design & filming process, and overall impact these techniques have on the making of the brand
• Judging Policy:
• Both the Design Case Study and the Promotional Video are equally critical in building a strong      brand.
• Participants are expected to give their best effort in both parts of the event.
• If judges find that adequate effort was not put into any one component, marks will be strictly deducted.

General Rules

• Final Authority: All decisions made by the organizing team will be final and binding.
• Original Work Only: All submissions must be entirely original. Any form of plagiarism or use of copyrighted material without permission will lead to immediate disqualification.
• Punctuality: Teams must report to the venue on time for all stages of the event. Late arrivals may result in loss of points or disqualification.
• Judges' Verdict: The evaluation panel's decisions are final and cannot be contested.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to students from any Indian college or university.
• Teams must consist of 2–4 members.
• Cross-college and cross-specialization teams are welcome.
• A student may participate in only one team for this event.
• Violation of any guidelines or rules will result in disqualification.