A Designer in the Making
My Unfinished Journey
A Designer in the Making
My Unfinished Journey
A Designer in the Making:
My Unfinished Journey
A Designer in the Making:
My Unfinished Journey
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
Started with no clue about design. Lots of trying, failing, and some luck later, I can actually design things. From totally lost to figuring it out.
I have always been fascinated by learning new things, but I never took steps actually to implement them for the longest time. In 2021, as my 12th standard was nearing completion, I was aiming to be a Backend Developer so I experimented with backend development, learning from YouTube and advice from senior friends. Stuck with coding for some days. Later that month, I opened my senior's Instagram profile and discovered something new—User Interface Design. Until then, I had never imagined that there were people who created digital products. That was a simple eureka moment that took me to design
I have always been fascinated by learning new things, but I never took steps actually to implement them for the longest time. In 2021, as my 12th standard was nearing completion, I was aiming to be a Backend Developer so I experimented with backend development, learning from YouTube and advice from senior friends. Stuck with coding for some days. Later that month, I opened my senior's Instagram profile and discovered something new—User Interface Design. Until then, I had never imagined that there were people who created digital products. That was a simple eureka moment that took me to design
My First Definition
My First Definition
“Design” is about making things look good.
“Designer” is someone who creates something visually appealing.
My action plan to become a designer: Recreate screens and replicate applications!
So I started to exploring UI design, recreating screens, and replicating app designs. Watching YouTube videos about User Interface designs and here is first attempt to design! Excited to share!!!
So I started to exploring UI design, recreating screens, and replicating app designs. Watching YouTube videos about User Interface designs and here is first attempt to design! Excited to share!!!
Oops not that one,
Oops not that one,
haha! let's get back! I was excited and shared that I started designing screens to one of my relative, who happened to know someone running an agency. Lucky me! He introduced me to the agency owner, and after a good conversation, I got trained under him.
Days passed, I joined college, and I finally got myself a new laptop, one that could handle my design experiments. Then came January 2022, a turning point in my journey. With zero professional experience, I landed my first real-world project. They needed a cab-booking app designed, and I had no idea how to do it but I did it anyway. The design was messy, and the flows were incomplete, but it worked. And just like that, I earned my first five-digit income.
haha! let's get back! I was excited and shared that I started designing screens to one of my relative, who happened to know someone running an agency. Lucky me! He introduced me to the agency owner, and after a good conversation, I got trained under him.
Days passed, I joined college, and I finally got myself a new laptop, one that could handle my design experiments. Then came January 2022, a turning point in my journey. With zero professional experience, I landed my first real-world project. They needed a cab-booking app designed, and I had no idea how to do it but I did it anyway. The design was messy, and the flows were incomplete, but it worked. And just like that, I earned my first five-digit income.
My Second Definition
My Second Definition
“Design” is about making something functional and usable.”
“Designer” is someone who solves problems through design.”
My action plan to become a designer: Keep working on real-world projects!
That project gave me confidence. Soon, I was handling more work from both the agency and the startup. My college days were packed I was freelancing, earning money, and feeling both proud and lucky. I was even invited to their office for discussions, marking my first-ever office visit. The momentum kept going, but soon, the cracks started showing.
That project gave me confidence. Soon, I was handling more work from both the agency and the startup. My college days were packed I was freelancing, earning money, and feeling both proud and lucky. I was even invited to their office for discussions, marking my first-ever office visit. The momentum kept going, but soon, the cracks started showing.
Fig.1.2 First Messy Design
Fig.1.2 First Messy Design
Deadlines were missing. My designs were inconsistent. I jumped straight into designing without ideation or research, and it backfired. I learned the hard way that usability was just as important as aesthetics. A button might look beautiful, but if a user doesn’t know it’s clickable, it fails. A flow might seem logical in my head, but if the user gets lost, it’s useless. I had unknowingly created barriers for users instead of guiding them.
I started asking better questions:
Is this design work with all kinds of users?
Will a first-time user understand what to do?
How can I make the experience effortless?
Deadlines were missing. My designs were inconsistent. I jumped straight into designing without ideation or research, and it backfired. I learned the hard way that usability was just as important as aesthetics. A button might look beautiful, but if a user doesn’t know it’s clickable, it fails. A flow might seem logical in my head, but if the user gets lost, it’s useless. I had unknowingly created barriers for users instead of guiding them.
I started asking better questions:
Is this design work with all kinds of users?
Will a first-time user understand what to do?
How can I make the experience effortless?
My Third Definition
My Third Definition
“Design” is about understanding the user and their needs.
“Designer” is someone who crafts experiences, not just interfaces.
My action plan to become a designer: Learn user research and UX principles.
By 2023, my freelance projects had become less frequent, but I had started working with international clients from California and Australia. Collaborating with them gave me a fresh perspective on user needs and design processes. Around this time, I began noticing everyday design flaws especially in systems I interacted with daily
By 2023, my freelance projects had become less frequent, but I had started working with international clients from California and Australia. Collaborating with them gave me a fresh perspective on user needs and design processes. Around this time, I began noticing everyday design flaws especially in systems I interacted with daily
My Design System in College Days
My Design System in College Days
One such system was the Government Website. Travelling between my hometown and college frequently, I struggled with the booking interface of the TNSTC and its terrible user experience. So did other passengers. That’s when I decided to redesign it from scratch. Fast forward to 2024, I dove deep into UX research learning about user journeys, usability issues, and design thinking. This time, I didn’t just jump into designing. I researched, ideated, sketched, and wireframed before touching the design tool. The result? A smooth, error-free flow. For the first time, I realized how much research impacts design quality. This became my TNSTC case study.
One such system was the Government Website. Travelling between my hometown and college frequently, I struggled with the booking interface of the TNSTC and its terrible user experience. So did other passengers. That’s when I decided to redesign it from scratch. Fast forward to 2024, I dove deep into UX research learning about user journeys, usability issues, and design thinking. This time, I didn’t just jump into designing. I researched, ideated, sketched, and wireframed before touching the design tool. The result? A smooth, error-free flow. For the first time, I realized how much research impacts design quality. This became my TNSTC case study.
My First Case Study & Redesign
My First Case Study & Redesign
Until this point, I had only focused on designing screens, but this project pushed me to think differently. Instead of opening Figma first, I started with user research. I observed people using the platform, noted their pain points, and conducted informal interviews. I realized that users weren’t just struggling with UI they were battling a system that ignored their needs.
This project was my first deep dive into UX design, and it changed everything. I stopped designing for myself and started designing for users. Their frustrations became my challenges. Their needs became my priorities.
For the first time, I wasn’t just “making things look good” or “making things functional” I was shaping experiences that solved real problems.
Until this point, I had only focused on designing screens, but this project pushed me to think differently. Instead of opening Figma first, I started with user research. I observed people using the platform, noted their pain points, and conducted informal interviews. I realized that users weren’t just struggling with UI they were battling a system that ignored their needs.
This project was my first deep dive into UX design, and it changed everything. I stopped designing for myself and started designing for users. Their frustrations became my challenges. Their needs became my priorities.
For the first time, I wasn’t just “making things look good” or “making things functional” I was shaping experiences that solved real problems.
My Fourth Definition
My Fourth Definition
“Design” is about solving problems through research and iteration
“Designer” is someone who balances creativity, logic, and user needs
My action plan to become a designer: Keep exploring, experimenting, and learning.
At this point, I knew I wanted to pursue a Master’s in Design. While researching the best options, I came across NID an institute I had never heard of before. It required an entrance exam, so I took a break year to prepare, diving deeper into design while studying.
During this time, I also moved to Chennai, a shift that exposed me to a new way of living. This wasn’t just about preparing for an exam it was about reshaping the way I thought about design and the world around me. I observed more. I questioned more. I no longer just noticed flaws; I started thinking about solutions.
At this point, I knew I wanted to pursue a Master’s in Design. While researching the best options, I came across NID an institute I had never heard of before. It required an entrance exam, so I took a break year to prepare, diving deeper into design while studying.
During this time, I also moved to Chennai, a shift that exposed me to a new way of living. This wasn’t just about preparing for an exam it was about reshaping the way I thought about design and the world around me. I observed more. I questioned more. I no longer just noticed flaws; I started thinking about solutions.
Upgraded Design System to Pro Max
Upgraded Design System to Pro Max
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
By 2025, I had refined my skills, deepened my understanding of design, and most importantly, Ivolved my mindset. I was no longer just creating designs; I was thinking critically, questioning problems, and approaching solutions with logic and creativity.
"The year wasn’t just about preparing for NID—it was also about self-discovery."
The Double Diamond Process: Where I Stand
The Double Diamond Process: Where I Stand
Looking back, my journey has unknowingly followed the Double Diamond Process, a framework for problem-solving in design. Now, I find myself in the develop phase, particularly in divergent thinking, where I’m exploring multiple directions, questioning possibilities, and broadening my perspective before narrowing it down.
Looking back, my journey has unknowingly followed the Double Diamond Process, a framework for problem-solving in design. Now, I find myself in the develop phase, particularly in divergent thinking, where I’m exploring multiple directions, questioning possibilities, and broadening my perspective before narrowing it down.
Looking back, my journey has unknowingly followed the Double Diamond Process, a framework for problem-solving in design. Now, I find myself in the develop phase, particularly in divergent thinking, where I’m exploring multiple directions, questioning possibilities, and broadening my perspective before narrowing it down.
Now, I stand at the gate of NID, ready to step into a world of exploration, learning, and experimentation. My journey wasn’t just about talent—it was about persistence, struggle, and, yes, a little bit of luck. But here I am, and this is just the beginning.
Now, I stand at the gate of NID, ready to step into a world of exploration, learning, and experimentation. My journey wasn’t just about talent—it was about persistence, struggle, and, yes, a little bit of luck. But here I am, and this is just the beginning.
Double Diamond Process
Double Diamond Process
Now, I stand at the gate of NID, ready to step into a world of exploration, learning, and experimentation. My journey wasn’t just about talent—it was about persistence, struggle, and, yes, a little bit of luck. But here I am, and this is just the beginning.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it"
— Alan Kay