Make Know Sense – A Talk show with Interior Architecture and Design Alumni

Make. Know. Sense. is an innovative talk show series hosted by the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) that provides a unique platform for alumni to share their experiences as they journey from design students to working professionals.

The latest episode of the show featured two alumni from the Interior Architecture and Design program, Himanshi Dhandich and Simran Bhatia, who graduated in 2019. The show's format creates an informal environment for conversation, questions and humour, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the field of interior architecture and design.

The host of the show, Shubhankar Goswami, Lecturer, Interior Architecture and Design, IIAD, introduced the show with great enthusiasm and energy. He spoke about the show's purpose, which is to provide a space for IIAD students and alumni who are now part of the design industry to engage in insightful conversation. The show's name, highlights the intentional humour that the show encourages from its guests, who wear their wits on their sleeves.

Himanshi Dhandich, graduate of IIAD's first batch of Interior Architecture and Design and founder, The Skilled Mason, an interior design firm, was the first guest on the show. She shared her passion for creating beautiful and functional spaces that meet the unique needs and preferences of clients. Himanshi emphasised the importance of taking a

collaborative approach to design, working closely with clients to understand their vision, needs and budget. She also talked about the importance of exploring ways to engage users in the way they experience the space, using tactile and sensory qualities to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.

Simran Bhatia, the second guest on the show, is also a graduate of IIAD's first batch of Interior Architecture and Design. Simran has worked with the prestigious architectural firm Incubis and now runs a homestay The Good Room in Uttarakhand, India, while also working on exclusive interior design projects. She shared her journey from being a design student to a successful professional, emphasising the importance of hard work, perseverance and a strong foundation in design education.

During the Q&A session , the floor opened for the audience's questions and the students were excited with the opportunity to directly interact with their alumni. One of the questions asked by a student was about the pinterest designs that clients come up with. How do you provide design solutions that match the client's pinterest theme with feasibility? What are the challenges you face while convincing the client? To this Himanshi responded by explaining that invariably in today’s date and time all clients come up with their pinterest theme boards. However they are not aware of the challenges nor the technicalities of replicating the design. This is where interior designers help the client meet their expectations keeping in mind the budget and the technical challenges that come with the built up space and environment. The role of an interior designer is not just limited to envisioning designs but extends to convincing and guiding the client towards making better informed decisions.

The show also included a rapid-fire round, where the guests were asked fun questions about their time at IIAD. The questions ranged from their favourite spot on campus to the most interesting professor they had, as well as some amusing never-have-I-ever questions that were answered with coffee shots.

Overall, the event provided an informative and entertaining platform for IIAD students to learn from the experiences of successful design professionals. The guests' journey from design student to professional serves as an inspiration for the current IIAD students, emphasising the importance of hard work, perseverance, and a strong foundation in design education.

The show is an extension of IIAD’s effort to create platforms that bring together students and successful professionals from various industries. IIAD's focus on creating an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation is evident in its academic programmes, and Make. Know. Sense. series is a natural extension of this approach. By providing students with access to successful alumni, IIAD is empowering them to learn from the experiences of others and to build a network of industry connections that will be invaluable as they embark on their own careers in the field of interior architecture and design.

In conclusion, Make. Know. Sense. is a valuable event for students to learn from their alumni. The show's informal and humorous format creates an engaging and enjoyable experience for both guests and the audience.

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