What They Don’t Teach You in Design School: Candid Lessons from FOAID 2024’s Game-Changing Panel
At FOAID 2024, one of the most insightful sessions featured a stellar lineup of design professionals who brought candor, experience, and fresh perspectives to the table. The panel included Vivek Gupta (Arvind Vivek & Associates), Gaurav Sanghavi (Pentaspace Design Studio), Supriya Thyagarajan (Perkins Eastman), Zarir Aibara (Neterwala & Aibara), Shimona Bhansali (DesignHex), and Nebin Asharaf (Rubenius Interior Wellbeing). Together, they peeled back the polished surface of the design world to share what it really takes to build, sustain, and evolve a meaningful creative practice in today’s dynamic landscape.
This wasn’t a showcase of finished projects—it was a deep dive into the messy, rewarding, and ever-shifting journey of being a designer today.
From Passion Projects to Practice Realities
The discussion opened with reflections on how each professional carved their own distinct path—some transitioning from parallel industries like crafts or product design, others jumping headfirst into architecture or interiors. It quickly became clear that success in design doesn’t follow a linear trajectory. Passion, adaptability, and authenticity are what define the journey.
Panelists spoke about the real-life tradeoffs between choosing niche specializations and scaling up, highlighting how financial sustainability often influences creative freedom. The session struck a chord with emerging designers navigating similar decisions.
Balancing Business with Creativity
A recurring theme was the challenge of balancing creative integrity with business demands. Whether leading a boutique practice or managing large teams, every designer on the panel emphasized the importance of business literacy—budgeting, team building, operations, and communication—all as essential as design skills themselves.
Interestingly, many shared that formal education was just the starting point; their real learning came from the field, from mistakes, and from staying endlessly curious.
Cross-Disciplinary Thinking is the Future
As the conversation evolved, it pointed toward the industry’s future: one where boundaries blur. Whether it’s integrating technology, wellness, sustainability, or spatial storytelling, the next frontier in design lies in thinking across disciplines. Designers must now ask bigger questions—about experience, impact, and longevity—and develop holistic solutions that extend beyond aesthetics.
Yet at the heart of every forward-looking idea was a grounding in timeless principles: scale, proportion, context, and empathy.
Navigating Tools, Trends & Studio Culture
The panel didn’t shy away from discussing the impact of social media and visual platforms. While tools like Pinterest, AI, and Instagram have made design more accessible and immediate, they’ve also created new challenges—especially when it comes to originality and client expectations. The advice was clear: trends may come and go, but clarity of concept and authenticity of voice are irreplaceable.
Many also emphasized the enduring value of sketching and early ideation—where true design thinking begins, regardless of digital advancements.
Final Thoughts: Passion, Patience, and Persistence
As the session wrapped, the most powerful takeaway was this: design is a long game. While talent and tools matter, what sets successful practices apart is their commitment to purpose, resilience, and continuous learning. Patience, self-belief, and curiosity were celebrated as the true pillars of creative longevity.
Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or a seasoned designer ready to pivot—this session offered not just inspiration, but practical perspective on navigating the road ahead.
Watch the full panel on FOAID’s YouTube channel – a must-watch for anyone serious about shaping the future of design.
