‘When designing, I usually start with a deep-dive into the user’s psychology’

Shreya Pandey is a fourth-semester Interior Design student at Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), driven by a deep passion for transforming spaces. What began as scattered creative ideas found direction and purpose through her academic journey. Fascinated by how light, texture, and spatial design influence human emotions, she aspires to master the science of manipulating volume and materials to create meaningful, mood-enhancing environments. Read edited excerpts of this budding design as she explains about nurturing must-have AI skills.   

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

Apeejay has this reputation for being very hands-on, which was a huge draw for me. I didn’t want to be just behind the computer; I wanted to be in an environment that feels like a real-studio.

Most importantly, the faculty here don’t just teach from a textbook but they act more like mentors. They constantly push us to defend our design choices, which has really helped me to develop a critical eye and the confidence to explain my vision to others.

What are the key skills in the age of AI one must nurture to succeed in the field of interior design? How do you focus on skill development? 

AI is indeed amazing for quick visualisations and mood boards, but it somehow lacks ‘soul’ and spatial empathy. Personally, I focus on staying curious. I spend time learning new rendering software. I also make it a point to visit local craft shop workshops to understand how things are built in real life. AI just can’t have a human element.

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

We had a project where we had to design contemporary utility furniture by giving it a traditional touch. The topic was “Reimagining heritage”. Where I chose Madhubani art from Bihar. Initially it felt like a very intricate and difficult project to come up with but I took it as a challenge. I remember staying up late trying to figure out what art I should choose, what design would be appropriate for the same. I even got so many challenges throughout the design process, it taught me that constraints are actually a designer’s best friend. However, seeing the final product come together after so many trials and errors was incredibly rewarding.

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

I usually start with a deep-dive into the user’s psychology. i.e what is being built & who is it being built for? In the next process, If it’s a commercial project then we look at the brand’s identity; if it’s residential, I think about the user’s psychology according to the factors like; age, gender etc. I create mood boards to understand the color palettes and materials. I also study about the different materials, hardware etc from different resources that actually help me to come up with some unique ideas.

What are your future aspirations?

In the short term, I’m really looking forward to gaining some ‘on-site’ experience through internships. I want to see the dirt and grit of a construction site on the ground level.  I want to create spaces that help people reconnect with nature, even in the middle of a crowded city. In the next few years, I want to master the intersection of technology and human centric design. Overall, in the coming few years, I see myself as a successful interior designer.