Want to know what makes AND Academy truly stand out? It is our mentors! Read this blog to get to know our Graphic Design mentors and what makes them special.
AND Academy is a unique institution that offers live, interactive, online graphic design courses for students and professionals who want to learn from scratch or upskill. Our teaching methods focus heavily on project-based learning under the guidance of mentors with significant industry experience.
We consider our mentors to be our biggest USP. They are the ones who make classes interesting and your learning journeys fruitful. And, we don’t say this without reason. Read on to know what makes our graphic design mentors truly special!
- Our Mentors’ Industry Experience
- The Educational Qualifications Our Mentors Bring
- Our Meritorious Mentors and Their Achievements
- What Makes our Mentors’ Teaching Style Distinct?
- AND’s Range of Graphic Design Courses
- Conclusion & Next Steps
- Next Steps
Our Mentors’ Industry Experience
AND Academy's mentors boast an impressive array of industry experience across diverse sectors. Kirti Bhan has excelled as a Product Designer and Art Director, contributing to Alaya Design Studio and numerous films and web series. Shubha Roy Singh brings with her a decade of experience as a Graphic Designer and UI UX specialist, with a background in global freelance and corporate roles with the likes of LumiraDx and Somany Ceramics. Kaushikee Gupta is not only an artist but also a curriculum innovator for SoSE Schools (IIT Delhi). Gauravi Mittal comes with expertise as a product designer and researcher, contributing to the Ministry of Textiles and External Affairs, DLF India, and IKEA.
We also have mentors who have excelled in the media and entertainment industry. For instance, Asha Kumari has spent over 16 years as a communication and content strategist, including a Senior Manager role at IIAD and contributions to Femina and Business of Fashion. Pranay Patwardhan is an art director and design educator with over 12 years of experience in designing animation, advertising, and video games, having collaborated with giants like Google, Netflix, Adidas, and UNICEF. Anurag Dasgupta is a multi-skilled filmmaker specializing in award-winning documentaries and product photography. Sanyja Santiago has a formidable 15+ years in advertising and marketing, working with brands like Volkswagen and Audi on iconic events.
Our mentors also lead innovative design studios and consultancies. Nishita Mohta is a Project Management consultant who launched The Experimentor, a brand strategy & design studio. Samya Ghosh, Creative Lead at Purpose, drives campaigns for SRH Rights, Climate Justice, and Sustainable Energy, working with global clients such as the United Nations, Apple, and Netflix. Sumedha Garg is the Co-Founder of Studio Otherworlds, a socially engaged art practice, known for designing immersive visitor experiences. Gulshan Gupta has worked as an independent designer for social enterprises and served as Head of e-commerce for Upasana Design Studio.
Think that’s all? Well, we’ve only started. Nikita Hurtis brings over 7 years of experience as a visual designer, having worked with XR Central (XRC Studios Inc.) and Design Brewery on branding, product, graphic, and UI UX projects. Lopamudra Bose is a Design Associate at Bain & Company, with a client list including Airbnb, Tinder, and Amazon. Mohini Bothra has charted a successful career as a product and ceramic designer, collaborating with brands like AndAnd Brand Partners. Inderjit Singh Jassel offers 13+ years of experience in Graphic Design, holding key production and post-production roles at various media companies.
The Educational Qualifications Our Mentors Bring
The academic foundations of our mentors are as diverse as their professional careers. Many hold advanced degrees from prestigious institutions. From NIFT to the Royal College of Art, we’ve got it all covered. Kirti Bhan has a Master's in Design from the Indian Institute of Craft & Design (IICD), Jaipur. Shubha Roy Singh combines an Accessory Design background from NIFT with Graphic Design studies from Suffolk University. Kaushikee Gupta is an alumna of the Royal College of Art (2020). Gauravi Mittal holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from the University of London.
Sumedha Garg studied Visual Communication in New Delhi and is an alumna of Central Saint Martins, London. Asha Kumari is a Fashion Communication graduate from NIFT, Delhi. Nishita Mohta is an alumna of the School of Planning and Architecture and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Samya Ghosh completed his Bachelor's in Design and Visual Communications from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. Anurag Dasgupta is trained in visual communication and film from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Sanyja Santiago is an alumna of Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. Gulshan Gupta holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication Design from NIFT, Mumbai, and a Master's degree in Sustainable Design from the University of South Australia.
Nikita Hurtis obtained her degree in Industrial and Product Design from Symbiosis Institute of Design. Lopamudra Bose is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Art and Design's Communication Design programme. Mohini Bothra is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD), New Delhi. Aayesha Ejaz holds an MFA from Washington University. Zeba Khan possesses a PGD in Graphic Animation & 3D Effects from DIA Institute and a PGC in Higher Education from Nottingham Trent University. Lastly, Soumya Tiwari has a Bachelor's in Communication Design from Symbiosis Institute of Design and an MA in Art Direction from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Our Meritorious Mentors and Their Achievements
Our mentors have not only contributed significantly to the design world but have also been recognized for their outstanding achievements. This has had a profound impact on their teaching methods as well. They bring in experience, expertise, and network connections that help our students get the best possible design education and career guidance.
Kirti Bhan has gained recognition for her work as an art director on platforms like Hotstar. Kaushikee Gupta's art has captivated global audiences, exhibited at different locales from London's ICA to Stockholm's Sergels Torg-Plattan. Gauravi Mittal is responsible for learning design and for training adjunct faculty members at AND Academy, showcasing her leadership in design education. Arundhati Dasgupta enriches the field of art history through archiving, curating exhibitions, and managing national and international art seminars.
Sumedha Garg is a recipient of the Khoj International Artists' Association grant and has conceptualized immersive visitor experiences for prominent cultural sites. Asha Kumari is noted as a pioneer in Indian e-commerce and dramatically grew IIAD's Instagram presence. Pranay Patwardhan's impressive portfolio has earned accolades from the London Design Festival and Kyoorius Awards. Nishita Mohta is actively building a new generation of challenger brands in India through her studio, The Experimentor.
Samya Ghosh is a member of the Type Directors Club and has won multiple awards for his creative leadership. Anurag Dasgupta has contributed to various award-winning films. Sanyja Santiago has worked on iconic events such as the NBA, IIFA, and the OnePlus Taylor Swift concert. Gulshan Gupta has created impactful visual identities for leading social enterprises. Lopamudra Bose was featured in Google Fonts for co-creating a display typeface. Zeba Khan specialises in crafting engaging curriculum frameworks and equipping students with industry-ready skills.
What Makes our Mentors’ Teaching Style Distinct?
The teaching philosophy at AND Academy is designed to be engaging, practical, and career-focused. It is embodied by exceptional mentors, who support students in the following ways.
1. Interactive Classes
Our mentors foster an environment where learners are not passive recipients but active participants in the classroom. Drawing from their extensive industry experience, they lead discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects that encourage students to explore their interests and share their learnings with their peers.
2. Insights & Guidance
With years of experience in leading companies and groundbreaking projects, our mentors offer insights into the nuances of the design industry. They share personal experiences, discuss emerging trends, and offer strategic advice that goes beyond textbook knowledge, preparing students for the complexities and opportunities of a professional design career.
3. Regular Feedbacks
Our mentors are committed to providing regular, personalized feedback to students, helping them refine their skills, understand their strengths, and identify areas for improvement. This process of creation and critique is fundamental to developing a strong graphic design portfolio and a confident design voice.
4. Career Guidance
Beyond teaching, our mentors also act as career guides. Many of our mentors offer tailored advice on portfolio building, interview preparation, and navigating the job market. They help students identify their career paths and strategize for success in a competitive industry. Apart from that, AND Academy offers career support to all students to help them land jobs that support sustainable careers.
5. Networking Opportunities
Learning from our mentors also opens doors to a vast professional network. Their connections with leading brands and industry peers create potential networking opportunities for students. These connections are invaluable for graphic design internships, jobs, and future collaborations.
AND’s Range of Graphic Design Courses
AND Academy offers an industry-focused curriculum that is perfect for all. Whether you want to learn from scratch or upskill to advance your career, our mentors teach you the design process and principles to help you build and advance your graphic design skills. Check out this project by AND Learner, Harisankar Vadakkath, for example!
AND Academy also offers personalized mentorship and feedback to help you build on your strengths and achieve your design objectives. Our stackable courses allow you to learn and upskill in a span of 14 months. You can choose the most suitable option from our offerings below:
- Graphic Design Certificate
- Graphic Design Diploma
- Graphic Design PG Diploma (Part-Time)
- Graphic Design PG Diploma (Full-Time)
Conclusion & Next Steps
AND Academy’s Graphic Design mentors offer unparalleled guidance and support, and help students achieve their career goals. Our mentors are dedicated and make the learning experience at AND truly special. They are the biggest reason behind our learners’ satisfaction and success. And you can be a part of this success too by enrolling in our courses!
You can explore the following options to learn more about our graphic design courses.
- Watch this session by design veteran and AND’s Academic Head, Prachi Mittal, and our Course Lead, Soumya Tiwari.
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Pursue our Graphic Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path to your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
