FWD: Delhi Meetup A Sunday of Design, Conversations & Community
On 14th September 2025, we hosted our very first FWD Delhi Design Meetup at CocoLab, Safdarjung Enclave. What unfolded was a full-day experience of ideas, stories, and connections that brought the design community closer than ever.
Morning Session: fwd: nine to five cc: for salaried professionals
The morning was designed for salaried professionals, and the energy started building right from the entrance. Every participant received a pair of bright pink Huddle socks (since the space was shoe-free, we turned it into a keepsake). With smiles and conversations already flowing, the session began with Raise the Bar, where co-founder Akshat Raghava shared the four pillars of design growth.
This was followed by CTRL+SHIFT+D, led by co-founder Parth Parikh, who explored the exciting (and sometimes daunting) journey of switching disciplines. His talk set off a wave of questions and curiosity from the audience.
Another highlight was Dress, Stress & Impress a live mock interview with a participant from the audience, conducted virtually by our senior recruiter Vedashree from Mumbai. The session was both insightful and fun, showing how small details can shape big impressions.
After a quick chai–samosa break, we resumed with Raise the Pay, where the conversation focused on salary negotiations and the small but powerful steps that can make a difference. The morning closed with a lively Q&A and a mixer activity that encouraged designers to connect in pairs and exchange stories.
Key Highlights of Morning Session
- Raise the Bar → Four pillars of growth every salaried designer should know.
- CTRL+SHIFT+D → Switching disciplines and building adaptability, led by Parth Parikh.
- Dress, Stress & Impress → Live mock interview with real-time feedback.
- Raise the Pay → Practical strategies for salary negotiation.
- Community Mixer → Chit-based activity that encouraged new connections.
Afternoon Session: fwd: twenty four x seven
The afternoon was crafted for freelancers and agency owners, and the tone shifted to a more candid, open conversation. Our co-founders Prashant Gupta and Akshat Raghava took the stage with no slides just real talk. The crowd laughed at the simplicity, but quickly leaned in as the discussion unpacked the realities of building a design business.
Topics ranged from pricing and positioning to dealing with clients and scaling teams. The core message was clear: design is only half the story the business side is what sustains it.
The audience stayed deeply engaged for over three hours, taking notes, asking questions, and absorbing lessons not usually taught in design schools.
Key Highlights of Afternoon Session
- No PPT, only real talk → Breaking the ice and keeping it raw.
- Pricing strategies → Understanding value and charging right.
- Positioning yourself → Moving beyond “just execution” to being seen as an expert.
- Business of design → Why sustainability depends on learning the business side.
- Client management → Stories and lessons on handling tricky situations.
Closing Thoughts
At the heart of both sessions, the idea was simple: to give real value to the community. Every conversation, example, and activity was crafted to help designers walk away with insights they could use whether to grow in their jobs or to scale their own practice.
As the sun set, the space was alive with photo ops, video bytes, and meaningful one-on-one conversations. What began with bright socks and brighter smiles ended with a shared sense of inspiration and clarity.
The FWD Delhi Meetup wasn’t just about learning it was about realizing the power of community, exchanging ideas, and raising the bar for design in India.
