‘Design is not just about aesthetics, it’s about communicating ideas’

For Rishita Phogat, design began as a hobby. At Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), it is becoming a career. In a studio-driven environment where every day brings a new challenge, she is learning that good design starts well before the first sketch, with a clear brief, careful research and a willingness to experiment. We spoke to her about why she chose AID, how she works, and what she would tell anyone considering the same path.

Why did you choose AID, and how have your teachers shaped your thinking?

I chose AID to develop my creativity and skills, and to make a career out of my hobby. The institute promises knowledge through practical application and experimentation, and that approach brings out the best in a student in terms of creativity, practical skills and even individualism.

My teachers have helped me understand that design is not just about aesthetics but also about communicating ideas. Their feedback and practical assignments push me to think critically and to experiment.

How do you begin a design project?

I start by understanding the brief and the purpose behind the design. Then I look for references, study my workspace, gather visual information and build mood boards and layouts of my ideas. Before moving ahead, I take my teacher’s approval to continue with the project. This helps me finalise my ideas and make decisions based on solid information.

What are your goals for the future?

I want to become a good designer with knowledge and experience across diverse fields of design. I want to experiment with my skills and develop my ideas by working on different kinds of projects. I am determined to build a successful career, work on meaningful projects and collaborate with creative people.

What advice would you give to students who want to pursue design?

Develop a design attitude and learn to see the world around you. Be brave and experimental, and never fear trying something new or unconventional. Keep practising so your skills keep improving, and learn to work with different media, software and tools. Learn to handle critique without getting discouraged. It’s good to critique other people’s design work, but always keep your focus on your own.

What does a typical day in college look like for you?

We are on a wonderful journey of gaining knowledge, experimenting and learning new creative skills. We learn through classwork and practical assignments, which helps us understand concepts better. At AID, each day brings a new challenge, and that helps us develop our creative minds along with our practical skills.

How does college prepare you for real-world work?

The college encourages us to work on real-world projects. We are being taught how to conduct outdoor studies at different levels and how to take measurements, and we have already started doing outdoor studies. Soon, our teachers will take us to public places, where we will learn how to do this properly.

How has your experience at AID shaped you so far?

My experiences at AID have been preparing me and shaping me as a designer. The whole process of conceptualising, experimenting, critiquing and presenting my work has given me a lot of practical knowledge and insight into the design field.