• Type: Workshop
• Title: Aspirations - Professional & Personal Development
• Module: DES F113 Professional & Personal Development module
• Faculty: Prof. Nandita Abraham
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Engagement of Akshaya: Co-designing and co-curating
• Batch: 4 Sections (140 Students)
• Period / Date: 4 Days
• Organization: BITS Design School Mumbai
• Title: Aspirations - Professional & Personal Development
• Module: DES F113 Professional & Personal Development module
• Faculty: Prof. Nandita Abraham
• Teaching Assistant (Academic Fellow): Akshaya Manoj M P and Pramod Priya Ranjan
• Engagement of Akshaya: Co-designing and co-curating
• Batch: 4 Sections (140 Students)
• Period / Date: 4 Days
• Organization: BITS Design School Mumbai
OVERVIEW
The workshop was designed to help design students understand the importance of professional growth within the design industry and related fields. The goal was to equip students with essential self-reflection skills, enabling them to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop a strategic approach to goal setting, and establish clear, actionable professional and personal goals. The workshop emphasized reflective practice, interactive exercises, and peer feedback to create a well-rounded understanding of professional growth.
The workshop was designed to help design students understand the importance of professional growth within the design industry and related fields. The goal was to equip students with essential self-reflection skills, enabling them to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop a strategic approach to goal setting, and establish clear, actionable professional and personal goals. The workshop emphasized reflective practice, interactive exercises, and peer feedback to create a well-rounded understanding of professional growth.
FLOW OF THE WORKSHOP
The workshop followed a structured process consisting of three key activities:
The workshop followed a structured process consisting of three key activities:
a. Reflective Practice Through Journals
• Prof. Nandita led a reflective discussion based on the journals submitted by the students.
• She provided insights on the patterns, strengths, and areas of improvement reflected in the journals.
• Students were encouraged to engage in a dialogue about their experiences, challenges, and professional growth aspirations.
• Prof. Nandita led a reflective discussion based on the journals submitted by the students.
• She provided insights on the patterns, strengths, and areas of improvement reflected in the journals.
• Students were encouraged to engage in a dialogue about their experiences, challenges, and professional growth aspirations.
b. Mood Board Exercise
• Akshaya and Pramod presented the 'Mood Board Plate' sets, each consisting of 5–8 plates with scenario categories such as Characters, Demographics, Pathway, Thoughts, and Workspace.
• Students were asked to select the plates that resonated most with their personal and professional aspirations.
• Based on their selection, students created individual mood boards reflecting their future goals and professional identity.
• Students then shared their mood boards with Prof. Nandita, Akshaya, Pramod, and their peers, leading to meaningful discussions and peer feedback.
• Akshaya and Pramod presented the 'Mood Board Plate' sets, each consisting of 5–8 plates with scenario categories such as Characters, Demographics, Pathway, Thoughts, and Workspace.
• Students were asked to select the plates that resonated most with their personal and professional aspirations.
• Based on their selection, students created individual mood boards reflecting their future goals and professional identity.
• Students then shared their mood boards with Prof. Nandita, Akshaya, Pramod, and their peers, leading to meaningful discussions and peer feedback.
c. "Trust Wheel" Exercise
• Akshaya and Pramod introduced the "Trust Wheel" chart, which contained key professional values: Value Addition, Integrity, Authenticity, Acceptance, and Competence.
• Each student received a "Trust Wheel" chart and moved around the room to assess the charts of their peers.
• Students were tasked with giving ‘+’ (strength) or ‘–’ (scope for improvement) marks in each section, accompanied by specific remarks.
• The aggregated results and peer remarks were discussed collectively, allowing students to understand how they are perceived by others and reflect on areas for improvement.
• Akshaya and Pramod introduced the "Trust Wheel" chart, which contained key professional values: Value Addition, Integrity, Authenticity, Acceptance, and Competence.
• Each student received a "Trust Wheel" chart and moved around the room to assess the charts of their peers.
• Students were tasked with giving ‘+’ (strength) or ‘–’ (scope for improvement) marks in each section, accompanied by specific remarks.
• The aggregated results and peer remarks were discussed collectively, allowing students to understand how they are perceived by others and reflect on areas for improvement.
CONCLUSION AND OUTCOME
The workshop successfully provided students with valuable insights into their professional growth and personal development. The reflective journal discussion allowed students to critically assess their current state and future aspirations. The mood board exercise helped them visualize their goals and understand their motivations, while the "Trust Wheel" chart fostered peer-to-peer feedback and collective learning. The workshop concluded with a summary of key takeaways and personal goals, empowering students to create a clear and actionable path toward their professional growth.
The workshop successfully provided students with valuable insights into their professional growth and personal development. The reflective journal discussion allowed students to critically assess their current state and future aspirations. The mood board exercise helped them visualize their goals and understand their motivations, while the "Trust Wheel" chart fostered peer-to-peer feedback and collective learning. The workshop concluded with a summary of key takeaways and personal goals, empowering students to create a clear and actionable path toward their professional growth.
Images from the ideating and jamming sessions:
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