Unveiling the Designer Within: Exploring ‘Being & Belonging’ on a Journey of Curiosity and Discovery
Friends and acquaintances, including design professionals, often ask me to guide their children on career choices, subtly indicating a preference for design-related fields. The primary intention is to nurture creativity and curiosity in their children by introducing them to various design perspectives.
When discussing my career journey, I define design in broad terms, emphasizing that every human, regardless of their background or profession, possesses the innate ability to generate ideas and imagine possibilities. By refining our ideation skills and transforming these ideas into reality, we engage in the design process. Through relatable examples, such as a child playing with LEGO pieces or a couple envisioning their home’s décor, I illustrate how design is an integral part of everyday life. This approach not only sparks interest in my experiences but also encourages these young minds to recognize and embrace their own creative potential.
“Being & Belonging: A Journey of Curiosity and Imagination” is an effort to connect with those who seek to understand and enhance their inherent design capabilities. The book caters to design students looking to broaden their perspective, as well as working professionals who want to break free from the monotony of their jobs, contribute creatively, and make a greater impact. Additionally, I hope that professional designers will find inspiration and encouragement in my unconventional journey of discoveries and epiphanies, exploring new ideas and perspectives that a broader definition of design unveils.
In his foreword, Architect, Educator, Conservationist, and Writer Narendra Dengle says,
“There is no one way to look at life. We in our creative pursuit endeavour to fathom its deeper meaning for us. As life flows, the perception is revitalised to reveal a dimension – one never experienced before. As one meets people or meditates one encounters a reflection of life itself. The process of manifesting the idea or imagination unveils a beautiful coexistence and a network of science, imagination, rationality, and intuition. Perhaps that is what the author intends us to experience through the narration of his journey in the field of design.”
Rather than using a traditional structure of sections and chapters, this book is divided into five realms and 22 pathways, mirroring the metaphor of a journey. Readers are not bound to a linear progression, as the book’s structure allows them to select any realm and pathway that piques their curiosity. “Being & Belonging,” described by my editor as an independent biography of my curiosity, does not follow a chronological narrative nor impose a predetermined flow. Instead, it invites you to embark on a unique journey, discovering insights and epiphanies along the way. We invite you to delve into the pages of “Being & Belonging” and forge your own path of exploration and discovery.
