In the fifth edition of MentorSpeak, we delve into the importance of upskilling and explore the various career opportunities that await you in the field of interior design. Read on for guidance on all this and more from Kanika, a distinguished former AND Academy mentor for Interior Design.
At AND Academy, our approach to design education is anchored in the participation of industry professionals who ardently integrate their wealth of experience into a comprehensive curriculum that our learners find invaluable. This philosophy ensures that AND learners gain direct access to the insights and critiques of seasoned professionals who are immersed in the world of design.
Kanika Arora, a former AND mentor for Interior Design, embodies this vision as well. Aside from having served with AND in 2021, she has worked with esteemed architecture firms such as Achal Kataria Architects, The Le Meridien Group, and Raja Aedrie Consultants. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor's in Architecture from Vastu Kala College of Architecture and a Master's in Interior Design from the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. Through her multifaceted experiences aimed at actively upskilling, Kanika brings a wealth of knowledge that enriches the discourse on interior design in this edition of MentorSpeak.
Content:
- Could you walk us through your experience through the interior design industry?
- What motivated your decision to assume the role of a design educator at AND Academy?
- What, in your view, is the foremost determinant in realising professional and personal goals?
- Is there an optimal age range for upskilling?
- How is interior design, a discipline that requires working in a real 3 dimensional space, be taught online?
- Having designed the course curriculum for the interior design modules, could you tell what sets AND’s courses apart from the rest?
- What kind of career can a learner pursue after completing the Interior Design course at AND Academy?
- Do you have any advice for design aspirants?
Q.1. Could you walk us through your experience in the interior design industry?
I graduated from Vastu Kala College of Architecture in New Delhi, marking the commencement of my professional journey. Early in my career, I gained practical experience with renowned interior design firms such as Achal Kataria Architects and The Le Meridien Group and was involved in various governmental projects. These experiences not only enhanced my skills but also cultivated a profound interest in interior design, prompting me to pursue further academic qualifications in the field.
Motivated by this passion, I pursued a Master's in Fine Arts and Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta. This academic pursuit provided diverse opportunities, leading me to contribute significantly to projects with TVS Designers, Atlanta. Noteworthy among these endeavours was my involvement in substantial projects, including the UNCC Marriott hotels, alongside various residential and commercial ventures.
Building upon these experiences, I have transitioned into the role of a design educator. This shift is much in line with my commitment to sharing knowledge and shaping the next generation of designers, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of design.
Q2. What motivated your decision to assume the role of a design educator at AND Academy?
The pursuit of a career in design education rather than solely as a practitioner is underpinned by a recognition of the nuanced distinctions inherent to both roles. My inclination towards concurrently embodying the roles of a design educator and practitioner comes from a deliberate intent to integrate theoretical understanding with practical application. This dual engagement affords a distinct advantage: the opportunity to facilitate and partake in a symbiotic relationship of continuous learning. Embracing the position of an educator offers the unique advantage of acquiring knowledge in tandem with imparting it, making it an ideal choice for me.
Q.3. What, in your view, is the foremost determinant in realising professional and personal goals?
In my perspective, the pivotal component of both professional and personal development resides in the continual process of upskilling. This principle holds true whether one is navigating the educational sector or contributing to the domain of design within a corporate environment. The inherent value of upskilling lies in its ability to augment one's skill set and enable a heightened capacity to seize forthcoming opportunities. Upskilling ensures adaptability and efficacy in the face of evolving challenges, both of which are crucial to professional and personal goals.
Q.4. Is there an optimal age range for upskilling?
There exists no predetermined age bracket conducive to upskilling. Throughout my experience, I have encountered students above the age of 65 to a demographic of users aged 40 and below, all demonstrating a keen enthusiasm for assimilating new knowledge. The allure of contemporary technological advancements and innovative software, enabling simultaneous annotation and drawing, transcends age boundaries. This diversity in age groups engaging with and embracing new skill sets underscores the universal nature of the pursuit of knowledge, irrespective of one's chronological age.
Q.5. How can interior design, a discipline that requires working in a real 3-dimensional space, be taught online?
The pedagogical challenge of teaching interior design, a discipline inherently rooted in real-life three-dimensional spaces, has been effectively addressed through an innovative approach within the AND course. It facilitates online learning by leveraging the capacity to map physical surroundings and subsequently translate them into a digital context, all under the guidance of a mentor. This process entails a comprehensive coverage of the requisite software programs integral to the field, ensuring that students acquire the necessary proficiency to seamlessly navigate and manipulate digital representations of spatial environments. This method not only transcends the limitations of traditional online instruction for a discipline grounded in physical space but also empowers students with the practical skills essential for contemporary interior design practice.
Q.6. Having contributed to the course curriculum design for the interior design modules, could you tell what sets AND’s courses apart from the rest?
The courses offered at AND Academy are quite exclusive and unique. If we look back at the times we had in online learning, we faced and overcame a lot of challenges during the pandemic shift and one of the most important was the ability to map a space digitally and online. What this approach allowed for was direct interaction between the learner and mentor as well as the learner and their vicinity (space). With this approach, you start to learn how to build and transform these spaces and are given the opportunity to improvise throughout the process. This ultimately allows you to pick your furnishings, identify your vendors, and take you to the next level as opposed to designing in an ordinary way.
Q.7 What kind of career can a learner pursue after completing the Interior Design course at AND Academy?
Completing the Interior Design course at AND Academy opens doors to diverse career paths. Graduates can specialise in Interior Styling, Interior Decoration, or Interior Design, crafting aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces. Opportunities also extend to Set Design for media productions, Spatial Planning for optimization, and Journalism in Interior Design. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on project work equip graduates for success across varied roles within the dynamic field of interior design.
Q.8 Do you have any advice for design aspirants?
There is a quote by Guy Finley that I like to reflect upon which goes “If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining”.
As a student, if you show up and engage and participate, success will come walking to you.
What next?
We trust that this candid discussion with our mentor has addressed some lingering questions you may have had about the field of Interior Design. To delve deeper into the experiences of AND Mentors, we invite you to explore our MentorSpeak section, featuring the insights of academicians and design professionals who guide learners at AND.
For more extensive information, visit our Design Blog which offers profound insights into UX UI Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Design. Should you require further assistance or details, do not hesitate to contact our Course Advisors.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
