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My Story (so far)

My personal story of developing an interest in design and transitioning from B. Tech in Computer Science to M. Des in Interaction Design

Institute of Design Block Institute of Design - JKLU, Jaipur

Let’s start from the very beginning

Hi, I’m Fanindra — full name Rudra Sai Pavan Fanindra Maharana. Depending on where you’re from in India, my name might either seem incredibly long or quite normal. I completed my primary schooling near my home and went to a boarding school for secondary schooling. Despite not being the most studious, I managed to score well throughout my schooling.

The Crossroads

I couldn’t clear my JEE Mains, but I did get a good rank in Paper 2 (B. Arch), which opened a potential path in architecture for me. I also scored well in AMECET (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering). I found myself at a crossroads, torn between my mind, which leaned towards Computer Science, and my heart, which was drawn to architecture. Ultimately, I chose to follow my mind.

Computer Science and The Beginning of My Design Journey

I started my B. Tech in Computer Science and Engineering with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at VIT, Bhopal. Then COVID hit, and our classes moved online for almost two years. Once we returned to campus, I began to question my choices. DSA and problem-solving weren’t my strengths; I only enjoyed front-end development and completed a few projects in that area.

During this time, I discovered UX Design and everything changed. The more I learned about UX design, the more I fell in love with it. I decided to switch entirely to design.

Initial struggles

I began my journey with the Google UX Design Certification on Coursera. However, I quickly realized this alone wasn’t enough to make me a good designer. So, I turned to YouTube, where several channels played a significant role in my learning (not in any particular order):

Projects and Upskilling

I worked on a few personal projects and gradually gained confidence in my skills. I started applying for internships and landed a UI/UX Design Intern position at Pulpit Mobility. After the internship, I sought more opportunities, but despite my efforts, I struggled to find a good fit. Whether it was the market situation or my skills, I couldn’t say. I even considered joining the 10k Designers cohort for upskilling but decided against it.

Pursuing M. Des

Taking my parents’ advice, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Design. I researched colleges offering M. Des in Interaction Design, UX Design, and HCI. Studying abroad was never an option, so I focused on India. I learned about CEED, an entrance exam for IITs and other design colleges, but my under-par drawing and sketching skills meant I didn’t score well.

I applied to several colleges, including IDC IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Delhi, DTU, IIT Jodhpur, JKLU, and WUD. I was shortlisted for interviews at JKLU, WUD, and IIT Jodhpur (Self-sponsored seat) and received acceptance letters from JKLU and WUD. Based on my interview experiences, I preferred JKLU to do my M. Des

This is my story so far (as of July 21, 2024). Stay tuned to see where this journey takes me next.