D Talks - The Design Podcast
Sanjay Reddy
Recent Episodes
In this exclusive D Talks episode, Aastha Virmani, who secured an All India Rank 3 in NID M.Des Apparel Design, shares her journey. Discover his unique strategies for NID exam.In her own words - "I began my journey studying Fashion and Apparel Design at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. I come from a design background and worked with Mayank Modi Fashions as a designer. I recently cleared the NID M.Des entrance exam and joined the Apparel Design program.Preparing for DAT while working full-time was intense but incredibly fulfilling. It helped me refine my skills, build a focused portfolio, and stay rooted in my passion for sustainability and becoming a designer for a cause."This is more than just an interview; it's a blueprint for success for every aspiring design student aiming for NID, UCEED, CEED, or NIFT. Learn from a topper's unfiltered experience!_____________________________Ready to transform your design exam preparation? Our expert-led courses are designed to give you the same strategic advantage.Enrol in Designex Studio Courses Today: https://online.designexstudio.com/Don't miss out on valuable insights! Grab your copy of our book "Introduction to Design" _____________________________Sanjay Reddy (Your Host & Mentor)Designex Studio | Mentorship courses for UCEED CEED NID NIFT
Adit Gupta is a seasoned design leader and entrepreneur with a deep-rooted passion for mathematics and philosophy. For over 15 years, he has driven high-impact design initiatives across a wide spectrum of industries — from education and travel to payments, retail, finance, health, and customer experience. Most recently, he served as Director of Product Design at ServiceNow, where he built and scaled world-class design teams and helped shape products used by millions worldwide.Adit’s approach to design — and to life — is grounded in the belief that truly meaningful products emerge at the intersection of empathy, systems thinking, and a profound respect for the human condition.________________BookStates A personal reading companion for curious minds. Available on iOS, Android, and Web, it helps readers track their reading progress, reflect on their reading patterns, capture highlights, and discover book recommendations tailored to their intellectual journey. More than a tracker, BookStates is designed to reveal what your books say about you — turning reading into a deeper act of self-discovery and connection. Built with intention, it caters to readers who value reflection as much as information.0:20 - Introduction1:39 - How to become a Design Director5:02 - Do you need Degrees to climb up the corporate ladder7:26 - Role of a degree10:13 - How to introduce yourself in a job interview12:08 - How to deal with the constant urge to do something16:30 - A.I. in Design20:42 - Staying up to date with A.I.22:45 - Quality of Ideas25:50 - 'Design Debt' Concept31:33 - Journey to building BoosStates35:52 - Evolution with reading books and BookStates41:22 - Reflective reading in BookStates45:20 - The age of Solopreneurs47:25 - Does Gen Z take risks50:10 - Feeling overwhelmed with switching jobs54:37 - Conclusion________________
Order the book: INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN“Introduction to Design” isn’t just a book; it’s a helpful guide that clears up confusion, busts myths, and shows the way for new designers. With the help of beautiful and simplified diagrams and illustrations, this book makes understanding the design world even easier and more practical, empowering readers to explore their creativity with confidence. Split into four main parts, each one acts like a map, leading you through the world of design. It helps you understand what design is all about and figure out your own path within it. With easy-to-understand writing and detailed illustrations, this book goes beyond just teaching—it becomes a joyful experience, full of knowledge, and a journey of discovery and understanding yourself better.I've been designing for 15 years and if this book had come 15 years ago, I would have achieved all I did till now, in 8 years! Aaquib WaniFounder & Creative Director Aaquib Wani Design________________________________________
Mentorship courses for UCEED, CEED, NID & NIFT________________________________________Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host)LinkedinInstagram
In this exclusive D Talks episode, Abhijith Jitesh, who secured an All India Rank 7 in NID M.Des Product Design, shares his powerful journey from a challenging first attempt to ultimate success. Discover his unique strategies for NID & CEED exams, including:- Mastering GK and Aptitude while managing a full-time job.- His secrets to developing sketching skills and effective ideation.- The critical mistakes he made and how he corrected them.- In-depth insights into NID Studio Test questions and his creative solutions.- His winning portfolio strategy: what to include, how to present it, and why less is more.- A candid look at his interview experience and how he built unshakeable creative confidence.This is more than just an interview; it's a blueprint for success for every aspiring design student aiming for NID, UCEED, CEED, or NIFT. Learn from a topper's unfiltered experience!_____________________________Ready to transform your design exam preparation? Our expert-led courses are designed to give you the same strategic advantage.Mentorship courses for UCEED CEED NID NIFTDon't miss out on valuable insights! Grab your copy of our book "Introduction to Design" _____________________________Connect with us on Instagram:Sanjay Reddy (Your Mentor)Designex Studio
In this episode of D Talks - The Design Podcast, Shreyansh Agarwal discusses his approach to UCEED 2025 questions.
Shreyansh Agarwal was All India Rank 1 in UCEED 2025.
00:00 - 44:07 - NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
44:08 - 1:07:08 - MSQ (Multiple Select Question)
1:07:09 - 1:44:11 - MCQ (Multiple Choice Question)
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Shreyansh's journey to AIR 1 in UCEED 2025
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Order the book: INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
“Introduction to Design”
It isn’t just a book; it’s a helpful guide that clears up confusion, busts myths, and shows the way for new designers. With the help of beautiful and simplified diagrams and illustrations, this book makes understanding the design world even easier and more practical, empowering readers to explore their creativity with confidence. Split into four main parts, each one acts like a map, leading you through the world of design. It helps you understand what design is all about and figure out your own path within it.
With easy-to-understand writing and detailed illustrations, this book goes beyond just teaching—it becomes a joyful experience, full of knowledge, and a journey of discovery and understanding yourself better.
I've been designing for 15 years and if this book had come 15 years ago, I would have achieved all I did till now, in 8 years!
Aaquib Wani
Founder & Creative Director
Aaquib Wani Design
________________________________________
Mentorship courses for UCEED CEED NID & NIFT
________________________________________
Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host)
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Vinamra, a TEDx speaker and a seasoned design strategist with over a decade of experience, has collaborated with more than 130 brands.
He works closely with tech company founders, CMOs, and product managers to elevate business KPIs, such as user retention, engagement, and conversions, through impactful brand design, UX design, and web design for both new and existing digital products.
In this episode, we discuss how Vinamra transitioned from a corporate employee to starting a Design agency, the decisions he has taken over time to develop a location and time independent mindset.
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Online courses for UCEED CEED NID & NIFT
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Order the book: INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
“Introduction to Design” isn’t just a book; it’s a helpful guide that clears up confusion, busts myths, and shows the way for new designers. With the help of beautiful and simplified diagrams and illustrations, this book makes understanding the design world even easier and more practical, empowering readers to explore their creativity with confidence. Split into four main parts, each one acts like a map, leading you through the world of design. It helps you understand what design is all about and figure out your own path within it. With easy-to-understand writing and detailed illustrations, this book goes beyond just teaching—it becomes a joyful experience, full of knowledge, and a journey of discovery and understanding yourself better.I've been designing for 15 years and if this book had come 15 years ago, I would have achieved all I did till now, in 8 years!
Aaquib Wani
Founder & Creative Director
Aaquib Wani Design
________________________________________
Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host)
________________________________________