Arijit Singha

What MA Course are you studying with us, and if applicable what pathway have you chosen?

I completed my degree in Mechanical Engineering and have also worked in the Automobile R&D and Product Design sector for five years, but wanted to gain some more insight on the process of design and so I opted for a Masters in this field.

What do you most like about Newcastle, and how do you find the city?

Newcastle struck me as a quiet little place when I arrived. The atmosphere of the city and the camaraderie amongst the people is excellent. The people are really warm and kind. The city is fun to go around and one can explore all the avenues of entertainment in and around the city.

How do you find the cost of living in Newcastle?

Coming from India, I was a bit sceptical of the cost of living in the UK. I had the option of staying in the university accommodation and a private apartment and I chose the latter. There are places where we can buy all our day-to-day stuff at a very reasonable price.

Did you find the School of Design welcoming?

I missed the induction sessions as my flight was cancelled and I reached on the weekend when the school was closed. But when I came to the School the next working day I met one of my Module Tutors and she took some time out to explain the modules to me. This reduced some of my apprehensions about the course. Also we had a wonderful team building session the first day in class and this really helped me connect with my fellow classmates.

How do you find your tutors and the staff within the School?

My principal aim to was to understand the mindset of a designer. I think my tutors have helped me a lot in my quest for this knowledge. Whether it be in a lecture session or a tutorial, the tutors provide us with the knowledge that they have acquired throughout their years of experience. 

What are the facilities like?

The facilities that are provided in the School of Design are wonderful. For me the design building stands out with its latest computers and machines. In fact the design building is an envy amongst the students that I have interacted with and who do not belong to this School.

What do you like most about the School of Design?

The thing that I liked the most about this building is the architecture, a mixture of glass and strong steel tubes.

Tell me a bit about your course?

The MA Design course is all about helping a student to understand the nuances of a design field. It helps us connect the design world to the real world. It tells us how design is influenced by the occurrences of day-to-day life. Moreover this course helps us explore the next step or direction in our career through a mix of projects and classroom assignments.  

If you had to pick an object to represent your course, what would it be and why?

During a session in the class we were asked to decide on an object to represent the design field. It was a team exercise and we chose the pomegranate. It has various seeds inside it that is akin to the various disciplines and influences that occur in a design.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learnt to date during your time with us?

In the short time that I have been here I have gained a lot of insight on the process of design. I feel much more comfortable and confident in taking up a design challenge and meeting the deadlines.

If you had 3 words to sum up your time with us what would they be?

Come, Do, Learn