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SLIIT CODEFEST 2026 · UI/UX Design Challenge
Registration Closed
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Designathon

UI/UX Design Challenge
Official Status Update Registration Closed

Registrations for Designathon 2026 are now closed. Thank you to all the young designers and digital creators who registered for this 24-hour UI/UX design sprint.

Sri Lanka’s first and only UX design competition exclusively for university students. A professional 24-hour challenge where teams research, design, prototype, test, and pitch a powerful digital experience.

4 Members Each team must consist of four members.
24 Hours Non-stop design sprint challenge.
Prize Pool Cash prizes for top three finalists.
Any Stack Teams may use any technology stack.

Official Sponsor John Keells IT

John Keells IT joins Designathon 2026 as the Official Sponsor.

John Keells IT

A competition for digital creators

DESIGNATHON is a flagship event of SLIIT CODEFEST, created to strengthen UI/UX design skills among undergraduate and postgraduate students from universities and higher education institutes across Sri Lanka.

It combines creativity, user-centered thinking, problem-solving, and product presentation into one exciting competition experience.

Competition Snapshot

4 Members per team
2 Competition rounds
10 Finalist groups
24H Design, build and test challenge

The 24-hour UX sprint experience

Discover

Understand the problem, users, pain points, and design direction.

Wireframe

Convert ideas into screens, flows, sketches, and interface structures.

Prototype

Create an interactive solution using any design or technology stack.

Pitch

Test, improve, and present the final experience with confidence.

Prize Pool

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams selected through the final round.

Winner

Champion Team

Rs. 55,000
1st Runner Up

Second Place

Rs. 40,000
2nd Runner Up

Third Place

Rs. 30,000

Participation Details

Team Size

  • Each team must consist of four members.
  • All members must be from the same university or institute.

Eligibility

  • Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
  • Participants must be enrolled at a recognized university or higher education institution in Sri Lanka.

Technologies

  • Participants are free to choose any technology stack.
  • The solution should focus on creativity, usability, and user experience.

Competition Flow

First Round

All groups that meet the eligibility criteria will advance to the first round. Teams will be evaluated based on creativity, UX thinking, practicality, and solution approach.

Final Round

The top 10 groups will be selected for the final round, where they will compete in a focused 24-hour UI/UX challenge to design, build, test, and present their solution.

Rules, Benefits & Expectations

Rules

  • Only registered members who participated in the first round can compete in the final round.
  • Team composition cannot be changed after registration.
  • No replacements are allowed after registration.

Why Enter?

  • Build confidence in UI/UX design.
  • Meet young designers, UI/UX enthusiasts, and creative problem-solvers.
  • Explore modern design practices used in real software products.

Challenge Expectation

  • Explore emerging technologies.
  • Take on roles in UI/UX development.
  • Design, build, and test a solution within 24 hours.

Built for young designers and digital creators

DESIGNATHON gives students a professional competition space to turn ideas into digital experiences. Teams combine research, interface design, prototyping, usability thinking, visual storytelling, and presentation skills to create a strong UI/UX solution.

The challenge encourages creativity, teamwork, confidence, and industry-ready thinking while giving participants the excitement of a real 24-hour design sprint.

UI Design UX Research Wireframing Prototyping User Testing Creative Thinking Design Sprint Innovation

Designathon Memories

A glimpse of the energy, teamwork, creativity, and UI/UX sprint atmosphere from previous Designathon moments.

Previous Designathon memory
Previous Designathon memory Previous Designathon memory Previous Designathon memory Previous Designathon memory

Organizing Committee

Meet the team shaping the 24-hour UI/UX design sprint experience — from competition planning and coordination to participant support, judging flow, and event execution.

Mr. Jagath Wickramarathne
Coordinator

Mr. Jagath Wickramarathne

Guiding the Designathon competition experience and organizing committee execution.

Mr. Nushkan Nisme
Co Coordinator

Mr. Nushkan Nisme

Supporting coordination, participant experience, and smooth delivery of the 24-hour challenge.

Dr. Junius Anjana Member

Dr. Junius Anjana

Organizing Committee

Dr. Mahesh Liyanawatta Member

Dr. Mahesh Liyanawatta

Organizing Committee

Mr. Ishara Gamage Member

Mr. Ishara Gamage

Organizing Committee

Mr. Vishan Jayasinghearachchi Member

Mr. Vishan Jayasinghearachchi

Organizing Committee

Ms. Aparna Jayawardana Member

Ms. Aparna Jayawardana

Organizing Committee

Ms. Madusha Weerasooriya Member

Ms. Madusha Weerasooriya

Organizing Committee

Ms. Kaushalya Rajapakse Member

Ms. Kaushalya Rajapakse

Organizing Committee

Mr. Charith Dabare Member

Mr. Charith Dabare

Organizing Committee

Ms. Tashikala Rathnayaka Member

Ms. Tashikala Rathnayaka

Organizing Committee

Ms. Poojani Gunathilaka Member

Ms. Poojani Gunathilaka

Organizing Committee

Mr. Yashmika Saparamadu Member

Mr. Yashmika Saparamadu

Organizing Committee

Ms. Uma Wijayasiri Member

Ms. Uma Wijayasiri

Organizing Committee

DESIGNATHON 2026 — Registrations are now closed. Thank you for joining the 24-hour UI/UX design sprint journey.
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