"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." – Winston Churchill

Stories, a magical word that infuses life into a thousand memories everywhere around us. Your room tells a story, so do your clothes and so does everything in our surroundings and it is this marvelous field of Design that blends all these mini-stories into something wonderful which may be a product, space, a UI, or a creative as well. Designers can have a storehouse of creative ideas, tend to cling on to a particular idea.

“You cannot be married to your idea,” says our speaker, Saumya Aymuas, “learn to change and adapt”. Did you notice something unusual? No? Try again. Yes, her surname is her name spelled backward, and that is our speaker, adventurous and cheerful. A self-taught designer, having learned the nuances of design through experience and practice. Saumya Aymuas is the Founding Member and Creative Head of OYOxDesign, a multi-disciplinary design firm deeply rooted in sustainability and storytelling.

What is your fondest college memory? Bunking classes and hanging out? Well, that is something we all love to do. So, taking a detour and hanging out with non-designers and family members is something which will help to develop our observation skill and provide a renewed outlook. Exploring on-ground shops, those which lay buried in the dingy lanes of an urban city, and window shopping are things which help us to be updated with the current market and trends. It is good to follow websites and read about the current situation. “Observe everything and everyone,” says Saumya, “ observation is what makes designers good”.

Life is full of challenges but as an added challenge to enhance creativity, you can work by self-imposing time and money constraints. But when these challenges start taking an emotional toll, give yourself a day off. But then brush off your shoulders and keep marching and keep at it. It’s sheer hard work that makes a good designer. As they say birds of a feather flock together, you need to find your flock and if it’s not the right set, step back.

Professionalism is important. Companies must be approached on professional mediums like LinkedIn or via mails. It is good to do your homework and know more about a company. Mentioning in your cover letter what problem you want to solve will give recruiters a better idea of what value-addition you can make to the company. Sharing your portfolio with your resume can also be of great help. One more professional tip Saumya promptly shares is to be on time and follow deadlines.

When it comes to following deadlines, one key aspect associated with it is the design brief. It’s an art in itself to write a design brief. It should clarify the who, why, what, and when otherwise we will be aimlessly wandering around.

There is no free lunch in this world, though a desi wedding might be an exception. However, it is important to value your time and talent to charge for experience and services. The amount of time and energy you invest in a project must be paid for. As designers, you are in such an amazing position to make a dent in the world, to do something out-of-the-box. You should maximize your potential and encash this opportunity to build your journey.