Register Now →
✓ Submitted successfully!
📅 29–30 October 2026 📍 UCSI University, KL

International Conference
on Creative Arts
& Design-Verse

The inaugural global platform for creative arts, design, and emerging technologies — hosted by the Institute of Creative Arts & Design (ICAD), UCSI University.

2
Keynote Speakers
11
Conference Tracks
2
Days of Innovation
Scopus Journal Publication
International Keynote Speakers
UCSI University Accredited
Best Paper Awards
11 Research Tracks

Three Reasons to Attend

Be part of the most dynamic creative arts and design conference in Southeast Asia.

01
🌐

Global Network

Connect with international researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across the creative arts and design ecosystem.

02
📄

Scopus Publication

All accepted papers will be published in Scopus-indexed journals, elevating your academic profile and research impact globally.

03
💡

Industry Insights

Gain cutting-edge knowledge on AI-driven design, immersive media, and digital storytelling from world-renowned keynote speakers.

Explore 11 Research Areas

ICCAD 2026 welcomes submissions across a rich spectrum of creative disciplines.

🖥️

Multimedia & Interactive Design

UI/UX & interactive systems

🎮

Game Design & VR/AR

Virtual & augmented reality

🎬

Motion Graphic & Animation

Digital motion and storytelling

🎭

Cultural Arts

Heritage and cultural expression

🎨

Arts & Humanities

Classical and contemporary art

👗

Fashion & Textiles Design

Material and fashion innovation

🏭

Industrial Design

Product and manufacturing design

♻️

Sustainable Design

Eco-friendly creative practices

📐

Visual Communication Design

Graphic and visual systems

🔧

Services Design

Experience and service innovation

✂️

Craft Design

Artisanal and handcraft studies

What Participants Say

★★★★★

"ICCAD provided an invaluable platform to share my research in animation with an international audience. The feedback and connections were extraordinary."

A
Dr. Amir Rashid
Faculty of Design, UTM
★★★★★

"The keynote speakers were world-class, and getting published in a Scopus journal through the conference was a career milestone for me."

S
Sarah Lim Wei Ting
PhD Candidate, UCSI
★★★★★

"Connecting industry and academia in one venue is what sets ICCAD apart. Real solutions came out of the panel discussions."

M
Marcus Tan
Creative Director, Kuala Lumpur
★★★★★

"As an international participant, I was impressed by the level of organisation and the quality of submissions. Will definitely return for ICCAD 2027."

Y
Prof. Yuki Nakamura
Osaka University of Arts
★★★★★

"The sustainable design track resonated deeply with my research. I left with new collaborators and a fresh perspective on my work."

F
Fatimah Zahra
MA Student, IIUM
★★★★★

"ICCAD provided an invaluable platform to share my research in animation with an international audience. The feedback and connections were extraordinary."

A
Dr. Amir Rashid
Faculty of Design, UTM
★★★★★

"The keynote speakers were world-class, and getting published in a Scopus journal through the conference was a career milestone for me."

S
Sarah Lim Wei Ting
PhD Candidate, UCSI
★★★★★

"Connecting industry and academia in one venue is what sets ICCAD apart. Real solutions came out of the panel discussions."

M
Marcus Tan
Creative Director, Kuala Lumpur
★★★★★

"As an international participant, I was impressed by the level of organisation and the quality of submissions. Will definitely return for ICCAD 2027."

Y
Prof. Yuki Nakamura
Osaka University of Arts
★★★★★

"The sustainable design track resonated deeply with my research. I left with new collaborators and a fresh perspective on my work."

F
Fatimah Zahra
MA Student, IIUM
UCSI University ICCAD Conference session Creative arts design conference UCSI
2026
Inaugural
Edition

Where Creativity Meets the Cosmos

ICCAD 2026 is the inaugural global conference by the Institute of Creative Arts & Design (ICAD) at UCSI University, themed DESIGN-Verse — exploring the expanding universe of design where creativity intersects with technology, culture, and sustainability.

  • Keynote speeches from world-renowned academics and industry leaders
  • Parallel paper presentation sessions across 11 tracks
  • Exhibition, networking, and industry-academia collaboration
  • Best Paper Awards presented during closing ceremony
Our Story → Meet Speakers

Important Timeline

1 June 2026

Call for Full Papers Opens

Submit your original research in any of the 11 conference tracks.

10 June 2026

Early Bird Registration

Register early and enjoy significantly reduced fees across all categories.

30 July 2026

Full Paper Submission Deadline

4,000–6,000 words, APA format, English language.

15 August 2026

Notification of Acceptance

Authors notified and registration/payment opens.

29–30 October 2026

ICCAD 2026 Conference

Two days of keynotes, parallel sessions, and networking at UCSI University.

Secure Your Spot at ICCAD 2026

Early bird registration closes 10 June 2026. Don't miss your chance to be part of the DESIGN-Verse.

Exploring the
DESIGN-Verse

The inaugural International Conference on Creative Arts & Design, hosted by ICAD at UCSI University — a global platform for interdisciplinary creative dialogue.

Register Now → Meet the Speakers
UCSI University ICAD design conference creative arts

Born from
Creative Passion

The International Conference on Creative Arts & Design 2026 (ICCAD 2026) was conceived by the Institute of Creative Arts & Design (ICAD) at UCSI University to establish a world-class platform for academic and creative exchange.

Organised under the visionary leadership of Professor Ts Dr Khairul Aidil Azlin and Prof Dr Dahlan Abd Ghani, ICCAD 2026 represents UCSI's commitment to positioning itself as a regional leader in creative arts and design research.

With its central theme "DESIGN-Verse", the conference embraces the expanding boundaries of design where creativity converges with technology, culture, and sustainability.

Mission & Vision

🎯 Mission

To provide a premier international platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners to share knowledge, innovations, and creative solutions across the full spectrum of creative arts and design disciplines.


  • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Explore AI-driven design and immersive media
  • Encourage industry-academia partnerships
  • Position UCSI as a regional creative leader

🔭 Vision

To become Southeast Asia's most influential and inclusive conference for creative arts and design, generating impactful research, innovative showcases, and strong global networks that advance the creative industry.


  • High-quality Scopus journal publications
  • Innovative creative exhibitions and showcases
  • Strengthened global academic networks
  • Future-ready creative industry leaders

What Makes Us Different

🌍

International Reach

Welcoming scholars, practitioners, and researchers from across the globe, with proceedings published in Scopus-indexed journals.

🏆

Best Paper Awards

Outstanding research is recognised and celebrated with Best Paper Awards presented during the closing ceremony of each track.

🔗

Industry-Academia Bridge

Bringing together the creative industry and academic institutions for real-world problem solving and collaborative innovation.

🎨

Broad Creative Spectrum

Eleven diverse tracks covering everything from UI/UX and VR/AR to fashion design, cultural arts, and sustainable design.

📚

Scopus Publication

All accepted papers are published in Edelweiss Applied Science & Technology or Journal of Arts and Humanities (Scopus/WOS).

🎤

World-Class Speakers

Keynote addresses from internationally recognised experts including animation pioneers and creative industry leaders.

Conference Committee

K
Prof. Ts Dr Khairul Aidil Azlin
General Co-Chair / Director ICAD
S
Assoc. Prof. Dr Siek Hwee Ling
Advisory Co-Chair
D
Prof. Dr. Dahlan Abd Ghani
Program Manager
W
Asst. Prof. Dennis Wong Chee De
Head of Committee
N
Asst. Prof. Nur Mashita Kamalun
Registration Chair
L
Asst. Prof. Ts Lucas Lim
Exhibition & Launching
M
Prof. Dr. Mandana Barkeshli
Parallel Sessions & Publication
Z
Zareena Binti Tajul
Finance & Sponsorship

Join the DESIGN-Verse

Be part of the most exciting creative conference in Southeast Asia.

Our Keynote Speakers

Meet the world-class thought leaders shaping the future of creative arts, design, and digital innovation.

World-Class Visionaries

Professor Hans Martin Rall - Keynote Speaker ICCAD 2026
Keynote 1

Prof. Hans Martin Rall

President Chair Animation Studies · NTU, Singapore

An internationally recognised academic, author, animator, and creative industry expert specialising in animation, storytelling, and visual communication. Known for his contributions to animation education and transmedia storytelling across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Animation Studies Visual Narratives
Usamah Zaid - CEO WAU Animation Studios ICCAD 2026
Keynote 2

Usamah Zaid Yasin

CEO & Director · WAU Animation Studios (Ejen Ali)

A renowned Malaysian animator, director, and entrepreneur — founder of WAU Animation, studio behind the internationally acclaimed animated series and film Ejen Ali. MMU graduate and one of Malaysia's leading figures in the creative animation industry.

Animation Creative Entrepreneurship

Paper Reviewers

Our distinguished panel of international reviewers ensures the highest academic standards.

Ts. Dr. Vimala Perumal reviewer ICCAD
Ts. Dr. Vimala Perumal
MMU Cyberjaya
Visual Communication / Film Studies
Professor Paul Wells reviewer
Professor Paul Wells
Loughborough University, UK
Animation Studies
Prof Dr Min Fan reviewer
Prof Dr Min Fan
University of China
Animation / VFX
Dr Rosli Arshad reviewer
Dr Rosli Arshad
ASWARA Malaysia
Animation / VFX / Motion Graphics
Dr Fauzi Naeim reviewer
Dr Fauzi Naeim
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Film Studies / Visual Art
Dr Mohd Adili reviewer
Dr Mohd Adili
UTEM Melaka
Animation / Multimedia
Prof Madya Dr Mohd Azhar reviewer
Prof Madya Dr. Mohd Azhar
UITM Malaysia
Fashion Design / Textiles
Prof Tan Wee Hoe reviewer
Prof Tan Wee Hoe
UCSI / Shanghai International
Multimedia / Animation

Frequently Asked Questions

ICCAD 2026 is open to researchers, academics, students, practitioners, and industry professionals from all over the world who have an interest in creative arts, design, and related fields.

Full papers should be 4,000–6,000 words in APA format, written in English. Accepted papers will be published in Scopus/WOS-indexed journals. Submission deadline is 30 July 2026.

ICCAD 2026 will be held at the Institute of Creative Arts and Design, UCSI University, Level 1, UCSI College, Kuala Lumpur, on 29–30 October 2026.

Yes! Early bird registration is available until 10 June 2026 with significant savings. For example, UCSI Student Presenter early bird is RM1,000 vs the normal fee of RM1,200.

Yes. All accepted papers will be published in Scopus/WOS-indexed journals, including Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology and the Journal of Arts and Humanities (JAH).

Yes! Best Paper Awards will be presented at the end of each parallel session room after all conference presentations are completed on both days.

Please contact our committee directly for information about virtual participation options. We do offer an International Presenter category to accommodate participants from overseas.

Want to Speak at ICCAD 2026?

Submit your paper or get in touch with our committee to explore opportunities.

Registration & Participation

Secure your place at Southeast Asia's premier creative arts and design conference. Choose your category and register today.

Conference Fees Structure

🕐 Early Bird Deadline: 10 June 2026
UCSI Student Presenter
RM 1,000 /early bird
Normal fee: RM 1,200
Save RM 200
Local Presenter
RM 1,600 /early bird
Normal fee: RM 1,800
Save RM 200
International Presenter
RM 2,000 /early bird
Normal fee: RM 2,200
Save RM 200
Conference Participant (No Paper)
RM 600 /early bird
Normal fee: RM 700
Save RM 100

* All fees are inclusive of conference kit, lunch, and certificates. Publication fees may apply separately.

Who Can Join?

ICCAD 2026 welcomes participants from all backgrounds.

University students UCSI ICCAD conference registration

University Students

Present your final year project, thesis research, or original design work to an international panel.

Academic researchers conference presentation ICCAD

Academic Researchers

Submit peer-reviewed full papers for publication in Scopus-indexed journals with Best Paper recognition.

Creative industry professionals design conference networking

Industry Professionals

Attend sessions, network with academics, showcase innovations, and engage in panel discussions as a conference participant.

International conference delegates creative arts design

International Delegates

Join from anywhere in the world. We welcome international presenters with dedicated support and visa assistance information.

PhD scholars creative arts design conference

PhD Scholars

Present your doctoral research in parallel sessions and receive expert feedback from international reviewers and keynote speakers.

Design exhibition creative arts showcase conference

Exhibition Participants

Showcase your creative portfolio or design work in the conference exhibition. Open to students, professionals, and institutions.

Complete Your Registration

Fill in your details below. Our committee will contact you within 3 working days with confirmation and payment instructions.

  • Confirmation email within 3 working days
  • Conference kit, lunch & certificate included
  • Early bird pricing until 10 June 2026
  • Scopus publication for accepted papers
  • Best Paper Award eligibility

⚡ Early Bird Deadline

Register before 10 June 2026 to save up to RM 200 on your registration fee.

Contact ICCAD 2026

Have questions about registration, paper submission, or the conference? Our committee is here to help.

Let's Connect

Reach out to our organising committee for any queries related to ICCAD 2026. We aim to respond within 2 working days.

📍

Conference Venue

Institute of Creative Arts & Design (ICAD)
Level 1, UCSI College, UCSI University
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

📅

Conference Dates

29–30 October 2026
Early Bird: 10 June 2026
Paper Deadline: 30 July 2026

👤

Program Manager

Prof Dr Dahlan Abd Ghani
Institute of Creative Arts & Design, UCSI

Send us a Message