‘Teachers have played a huge role in improving my skills’

At Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), students often speak of a culture built on mentorship as much as creativity. In this conversation, Devansh Panchal, a student pursuing interior design at AID, talks about what drew him to the institute, the projects that pushed his creative boundaries, and how the college is preparing him for a career in design. Read edited excerpts:

Edited excerpts from the interview:

What made you choose Apeejay Institute of Design? How are the teachers shaping your skills?

I chose Apeejay Institute of Design because I had heard a lot of positive things about it. Before taking admission, I spoke to a few seniors who were already studying here. They all shared really good experiences about the faculty, the learning environment, and the opportunities the college provides. That gave me confidence that this was the right place for me.

Teachers have played a huge role in improving my skills. Before joining Apeejay, I had little experience with art and sketching. But within just one semester, I could see a noticeable improvement. The faculty is very supportive, they don’t just point out mistakes, they explain how to improve them. Their guidance and encouragement have helped me become more confident and develop my design skills.

Q: Can you share a memorable classroom project or assignment that challenged your creativity or taught you something new?

There have been many assignments that challenged my creativity, and honestly, I learned something from almost every one of them. But the one I enjoyed the most was a typography project called Word Design. We had to choose a word and redesign it by incorporating elements that represented its meaning while keeping the word readable.

I chose the word “Cinema.” I integrated elements like a film reel, a camera, popcorn, movie tickets, and other cinema-related visuals into the letters themselves. The challenging part was balancing creativity with readability. I wanted the design to be visually interesting without losing the original word. This project taught me that good design is not just about making something look attractive; it’s about communicating an idea clearly.

Q: How do you approach research when starting a new design project?

Whenever I start a new design project, I first try to understand the brief and what the project is asking for. For research, I primarily prefer the books available in our college library because they provide detailed and reliable information, especially about design principles, materials, and history. Once I have that foundation, I use sources like Google to explore recent examples and gather additional references. This combination helps me build a stronger concept before I begin designing.

Q: What are your future aspirations?

My short-term goal is to gain practical experience through internships and work on
real projects where I can learn from professionals in the industry. I want to strengthen both my technical skills and my understanding of design by working in a professional environment.

In the long run, I aspire to establish my own interior design studio. I want to design spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and meaningful for the people who use them. At the same time, I want to keep learning and growing because I believe a good designer never stops learning.

Q: As a novice exploring the field of design, what would be your recommendations?

If I had to give one piece of advice to someone just starting in design, I would say observe everything around you. Good design comes from observation and imagination. It’s okay to look at platforms like Pinterest for inspiration, but you shouldn’t depend on them or copy what you see.

As a designer, your job is to create something original. If you simply recreate someone else’s work, it’s no longer your design — it’s just a copy. That’s why I believe brainstorming, exploring different ideas, and developing your own concepts are much more important. The more you observe and think independently, the more unique your designs will become.

Q: How would you describe the culture of your college in three words?

I would describe the culture of my college in three words: Supportive, Creative, and Inspiring. The faculty is very approachable and gives equal attention to every student. We are constantly encouraged to explore new ideas, think creatively, and improve through feedback. My classmates are also friendly and collaborative, which creates a positive environment where everyone learns from one another.

Q: How is a typical day in your college?

A typical day in our college is very engaging and practical. Since we’re a design college, every day is different. We have a mix of studio classes, software sessions like CAD, practical workshops, and theory classes throughout the week. Most of our time is spent learning by doing — working on design concepts, exploring new ideas, and applying what we learn in class. It keeps every day interesting and helps us develop both our creative and technical skills.

Q: What opportunities has the college given you to work on real-world projects?

One of the biggest advantages of studying at Apeejay is the practical exposure we receive. The college regularly takes us on market visits for research, where we explore different materials, furniture, finishes, and products that are actually used in the industry. We also visit interior design exhibitions, museums, and other places where we’re encouraged to observe and analyze different design styles and concepts.

Even in our theory classes, we are taught about practical aspects of the industry, such as materials, products, and their market prices. These experiences help us connect what we learn in the classroom with how design works in the real world, giving us a much better understanding of the profession.

Q: How is AID preparing you for the design industry?

AID is preparing me for the design industry by giving me the right balance of creativity and practical exposure. Along with teaching us design principles and technical skills, the college encourages us to think independently and develop our own ideas instead of simply following trends.

The faculty constantly guides us to improve our work, and every project helps us build problem-solving, creativity, and presentation skills. I believe these experiences are helping me become more confident and preparing me for a professional career in design.