Our five-pronged approach focuses on your individual strengths to develop your unique qualities towards making you an exemplary pi- designer.
23/01/2025
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Every story that emerges from IIAD carries within it the pulse of transformation—moments of discovery, challenges overcome, and dreams taking flight. These narratives unfold journeys of evolution: small-town dreamers finding their voice in design, young artists discovering identity through creative expression, graduates reshaping industry paradigms, and change-makers using design to bridge societal gaps. From navigating global corporations to founding innovative ventures, IIAD alumni carry forward not just professional expertise, but the courage to challenge conventions and the wisdom to empathize through design. Within these narratives lie stories of resilience in the face of uncertainty, of creativity flourishing against odds, and of individuals finding authentic voices through design. Each account stands as testimony to the transformative power of education that values both individual expression and collective growth—a testament to the enduring impact of purposeful design education.
My time at IIAD has been nothing short of being transformative. Coming from a small city with a deep interest in creative pursuits, the college served as a launchpad to my potential.
With each new project and learning I felt like it was the place I was meant to be at. A place that pushed my boundaries, challenged my beliefs and welcomed exploration and mistakes.
Both the teachers and peers were key factors in shaping our design process. The project-based learning, focus on critical & reflexive thinking and finessing us as independent & collaborative professionals is what sets an IIADian apart.
These were the traits that led me to bag great internships and eventually my first job as a UX designer at YUJ Designs, Pune. From bagging the top 4 trainee position, to the Star Performer of the Year Award to being entrusted with a mentorship role at the company, my three years there were filled with good work & meaningful connections.
I have also been involved in course curriculum design, mentorship & hosting workshops for branding and UX at AND Academy, our alma mater's sister concern.
Recently, I switched jobs to expand my learning horizon. I am a UX consultant at Ernst & Young LLP.
My biggest takeaway from IIAD is being accountable for one's learning. Being open to feedback, collaboration with diverse individuals and building yourself block by block into a well-rounded responsible designer.
We all grow from a particular notion of self that we put out for the world to explore. Similarly I did too, from the girl in uniform to a girl in fashion. My connection and relation to art and design is way older than I thought. I never had to look out for inspiration, as my sister and her unique design language has been the very core of my learnings. We used to sit together and craft handmade cards for our parents and each other on every occasion. At that age, I couldn't even draw a circle properly, but yes life has plans for you, and it changes your perceptions towards things with the passing of time.
Later in my growing years, I went to a boarding school, The Lawrence School, Sanawar where ceramics and creating art in the art room, unknowingly became my safe space. Dance played a major role in making me understand art through the face of strength, it always empowered me, inspired me and made me acknowledge the fact that art doesn't have to be perfect, just has to reflect you.
I also had different plans for college, but somehow my family could see and recognise my inclination towards design more than me and suggested I give it a shot. Ever since I've never looked back. My learnings from college have fueled my passion towards design, I've recognised myself more than I ever thought. The past few years have made me understand that the meaning of art is very subjective to every individual and the power it gives us to express ourselves without having to speak. I've also realised that the beauty of originality also lies in going with the flow and how inspiration can be anything and everything, what matters is how we build ourselves around it and recognise it.
Every time I've felt weak at a particular aspect or space in life, life has in its way has given me the opportunity to change as well as challenge the same. I wouldn't describe design and my co-relation with it to that of a roller coaster ride because the more I reflect and introspect, I realize it’s way deeper than that. I see life with a different lens now, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
I come from a small town in Haryana. After losing my dad at five and being brought up in a traditional setup, I could never fathom exploring a career like fashion design or even thinking about my gender identity. The early years were tough; from engineering to NDA - I considered it all. But I knew that my heart was in something else. What that ‘something else’ was, I didn’t know.
I am thankful to my uncle and my mother who brought me up and sent me to Chandigarh to complete high school. My world changed! It was in this city that I explored myself, expressed my style in a way that I wanted to. I started dressing up, colouring my hair, and basically exploring every aspect of my personality.
It was around this time that I found my interest in makeup and fashion. I moved to Delhi and pursued a 1-year makeup course at Lakme Academy. While pursuing this, I started looking for a good fashion college in the country. Delhi at first, didn’t give me good memories. I was cheated on and was even diagnosed with Schizophrenia. No one at this time understood me, and I, myself, was unable to figure out what was going on with me. What kept me sane was my preparation for the entrance exams. I cleared the exam and decided to pursue fashion design from IIAD. With time, my perspective on Delhi changed and this became the city where I eventually pursued my passion for fashion, painted my nails, and of course, wore a lot of makeup! I was finally being me.
And then, the pandemic hit and everything went on hold. I went back to Sirsa. Here I couldn’t paint my nails or dress the way I wanted to; I had a family reputation to take care of. I have now shifted my focus and have started painting, the one thing I have loved my entire life. It lets me express myself and breathe freely. Apart from this, I focus on my studies and work because like they say, your career never gives up on you. I constantly think of myself as a stupid person, because that allows me to be creative and make mistakes.
I now know that good days or bad, I am on my own special journey. The idea now is to remain stupid and learn as much as I want without being put under any label, because I believe no matter what - ‘hum apna rasta khud hi dhoondh lete hein’!
Hey you, I'm Yash Pandey, your friendly boy next door. My life has been much like yours yet very “different". I consider myself a strong advocate against prejudice and stereotyping, having been thrown into boxes and out and into others all my life. I believe that judgment comes naturally to all of us, Empathy takes effort.
For most Queer individuals, acceptance doesn’t come very easily, bringing an immense amount of emotional, physical, and psychological trauma, demanding only empathy to be understood which is seldom found. At an early stage in life, I realized what it meant to be discriminated against, being bullied came naturally as if it were a part of the curriculum. Not realizing then what made people so unkind, young Yash would choose not to care - kill’ em with kindness? Being caught in a whirlpool, of trying to fit in. I would only grow to understand the depth of things as I grew to understand myself.
I feel I eased into the societal transition by beginning with my family. It did not come as a surprise that my family had orthodox opinions on sexuality. But communication worked wonders for us. We laughed, fought, cried, and made up; learning love and unlearning hatred and prejudice along the way. I was privileged to be born in an empathetic family. Coming out to my parents merely nudged me in the direction of self-discovery and further self-expression, which became imperative as a way of rebellion against the hatred that I saw the LGBTQ+ community face. It was a symbol of pride that I felt in my skin despite all the hatred, and prejudice I saw around me. At the family front, we continued to understand and encourage each other culturally and socially to be our true selves.
Lastly, I hope my story helps people to look for beauty in one another, build the understanding that all people are beautiful and should be respected for who they are. Labels, clothes, etc. - are all accessories to the true beauty that lies inside us. After all, “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag” - Rupaul.
The first time I walked into the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), it felt like stepping into a new world. There was an energy in the air—warm, welcoming, and full of possibilities. Over the years, that place became more than just a college; it became my second home. It was a space where I wasn’t just learning; I was creating—experimenting, exploring, and embracing the freedom to imagine without limits.
At IIAD, I discovered that design wasn’t just about aesthetics or technical skills—it was about solving problems, crafting meaningful experiences, and approaching challenges with curiosity and purpose. I vividly remember the long nights spent refining ideas, starting over, and sometimes failing, but always learning. Those experiences taught me resilience, a quality that has stayed with me and continues to guide me through challenges today.
That resilience has been instrumental in my career. Recently, I worked on a motion design project, something I hadn’t done in years. At first, I hesitated, unsure if I could pull it off, but as I started working, the techniques I learned at IIAD came rushing back. Those hands-on lessons weren’t just skills—they became a part of who I am, allowing me to take on challenges with confidence and adaptability.
My journey was made even more special by the people around me. My peers weren’t just classmates—they were collaborators and cheerleaders. The competition among us was healthy and uplifting, with everyone supporting each other to do better. That environment of camaraderie showed me the value of collaboration and taught me that growth is never a solo journey.
And then there were my mentors. They didn’t just guide me through projects—they believed in me. They challenged me to think critically, refine relentlessly, and aim for more than just “good enough.” Their faith in my potential gave me the courage to take risks and the confidence to trust my instincts.
Today, as a designer, I carry these lessons forward. Whether it’s tackling a new problem, refining an idea, or collaborating with others, my time at IIAD is present in everything I do. It gave me the tools to create, the resilience to persevere, and the joy of solving problems with intention and empathy.
As IIAD celebrates its 10th anniversary, I feel immense gratitude. It’s where I discovered who I was, where I learned to love the process of creating, and where I realized that design isn’t just my career—it’s my purpose.
As a child, I thought creativity was about sketching—decorating the world and making things look 'pretty.' At 17, I began creating content on social media, driven by my love for fashion, lifestyle, and art. Back then, it felt like a hobby—a spark I couldn’t quite define.
Then, it was time to take my passion to the next level. 2017, I stepped into IIAD, laying the foundation for my future in the world of design. It wasn’t just a new chapter—it was a shift in how I viewed creativity.
Every project I worked on, every logo, campaign, photograph, or the story I shaped—taught me that design has the power to influence how people act, feel, think, and connect.
I vividly remember a project on re-designing sanitary napkins. As I researched India’s silence around menstruation, I uncovered how well-designed communications could break taboos and spark critical conversations. That project wasn’t just an assignment; it was an awakening. The insights from it planted the ideas for what I aspire to do today in the world of Fashion and Beauty.
Similarly, a project on "Design for a Better Future" during my final year reinforced that creativity has the potential to influence lives and reshape society.
Over the years, creativity stopped being something I did and became who I am—a way of seeing the world differently. It became my voice, my purpose, and my way of living. I don’t see my journey as just a 'career'—it’s my canvas. A canvas where mistakes are happy accidents, where the mess becomes a part of the outcome, and the goal is ‘IMPACT’, whether big or small! It’s a space where I get to create, learn, and grow.
"Trusting the process," even when it’s not perfect!
Since I was 15, I've been climbing mountains or scaling rock faces whenever I get some time off. Recently, I've transitioned from wanting to be a professional athlete to doing it simply for intrinsic happiness. Or maybe something more.
Initially, I used these activities as escape mechanisms to address my strong dislike for the city or other events in my life. When things got tough and I needed some time for myself, I headed out to new places, challenging terrains or unexplored dots on a map; places where I wasn't bound by any external obligation.
Over time, as I found myself in the middle of massive snow-slopes on the southeastern side of Leh or hanging onto dear life with tiny edges on steep rock faces, I started finding a sense of belonging. I came back to certain places and, as college progressed, even certain people. My two adventurous years of college along with this one year of pandemic induced isolation have re-defined what a home means to me and its importance in my life. I realised that I had constructed small little homes everywhere I'd gone to or amidst the company of people I cherished. Ranging from mountain peaks to friends and mentors or my corner table in the communication studio, I slowly understood that a home does not have to be confined to a physical place of permanent residency. Homes can be people, places or even specific occurrences in time & space.
I guess if there's any takeaway from my story, it's to not be afraid of the changes that are about to ensue. Yes, you're going to shift out of your houses, land up in the middle of strange environments and feel helpless amongst a large group of strangers. You're going to feel homesick time and time again. However, letting go of the traditional definition of a home can allow you to embrace people, places or even entire physical environments that can offer you an unmatched sense of belonging. And that's wonderful, isn't it? To be able to build your own tiny little homes everywhere you go; with people, places and spaces.
The Communication Design program at IIAD allowed me to test my waters—whether it was branding, advertising, UI/UX, filmmaking, storytelling, animation, typography, etc. Being a visual learner, I’ve always been inclined towards visuals as opposed to words. I knew I wanted to be an illustrator, but I always found it hard to draw realistically.
I constantly tried to draw better and experiment with different mediums and techniques. Every year, I would try to do at least one project related to illustration. Fortunately, I was surrounded by supportive faculty members and peers. The faculty at IIAD inculcated an explorative and growth mindset in me which taught me to trust the process and see failures as stepping stones. To this day, I carry a sketchbook wherever I go.
A year after graduation, I pursued my master's in Illustration and Visual Culture from Washington University in St. Louis. My interdisciplinary educational background allowed me to be an active participant in both technical and hands-on areas. I refined my illustrative style and writing skills with constant feedback from my peers and faculty there as well.
IIAD doesn’t just hand one a degree or certification—it creates professionals who are versatile, empathetic, and respectful not just in their work, but in their persona. I’ve always wanted to work with kids, and that’s something I’m doing these days! I thank IIAD for making me a lifelong learner.
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