The Academy of Design, one of South Asia's best educators in design, has been in the forefront of Sri Lankan creativity since its initiation almost a decade ago. AOD specializes in Professional Creative education in the major areas of Design including Fashion, Interiors, Graphics and Jewellery. AOD gives their students a training compatible with international standards and on par with the globally recognized Northumbria University-School of Design Degree that they offer.

During the AOD graduation fashion show in 2009, three young fashion designers were awarded special awards by the distinguished Italian Fashion Designer Tiziano Picogna in recognition of their exceptional creativity. These students, Dilukshi Gayathrika Ho, Aishath Sinaya and Ranga Rathnayaka were given the opportunity to travel to Trieste - Italy and represent Sri Lanka at the Kaleidoscope Fashion Show. The show was organized by the 'Be Nice Modelling Agency', Atelier Tiziano and the Municipal Council of Trieste.

Dilukshi who was grateful for the opportunity to showcase her talent in Italy said "This was a one in a million opportunity for me and I'm proud to be one of the students to represent the Academy of Design and Sri Lanka…I got so many awesome experiences as a young designer.

We even got to work with professional Italian fashion designers." Aishath and Ranga who also accompanied Diluskshi thanked the Academy of Design and the organizers of the show in Italy for this rare opportunity. Aishath Sinaya said that her education at the AOD changed her life; "My education at AOD trained me to be able to work independently and handle the fittings, alterations and dressing the models at a fashion show.

I am so grateful to the lecturers at AOD for teaching me to experiment with my creativity". AOD is a unique design campus which encourages its students to participate in top international design contests, exhibitions and award programmes to support their mission in creating a generation of designers who possess the ability to take Sri Lankan creativity to the global forefront.