Prior to enrolling in UAL as a student, I worked for over 5 years in large-sized corporates. I have worked in a variety of roles over the past few years, including Community Associate & Chapter Design Lead at WeWork, Product Owner at Radix Web Solutions, Public Relations Strategist at Make a Difference, and Online Showcase Coordinator at UAL ART TEMPS. In each of these roles, I have demonstrated my ability to drive success and deliver exceptional results.

At WeWork, I led a design team to create innovative and efficient workspace solutions for a significant member base. I conducted extensive research to identify emerging trends and technologies that enhanced the customer experience. This research-driven approach led to a remarkable increase in customer satisfaction ratings from 4.1 to 4.6. Additionally, I developed and implemented design guidelines and standards to ensure consistency across all creatives. My effective management of the design team’s workflow and timelines ensured the timely delivery of projects, contributing to the overall success of WeWork.

At Radix Web Solutions, I played a crucial role in managing tasks and teams for F3.space, the largest web design competition spanning multiple countries. My commitment to maintaining high standards for quality and excellence ensured that all design work met the expectations of Radix Web Solutions. Furthermore, I introduced an optimized design workflow for the corporate design team, resulting in multiple automation across different accounts. My strategic approach and attention to detail showcased my ability to drive efficiency and success within the organization.

At Make a Difference, I demonstrated my exceptional skills in managing online and on-ground public relations campaigns. I successfully coordinated all design collaterals for the brand’s social media pages and tie-ups across multiple cities. Leading a team of 150 volunteers, I oversaw various city projects and organized a three-day camp for 150 children, showcasing my leadership abilities and organizational prowess. Notably, I achieved significant fundraising success, raising over 100,000 INR in just 15 days, making me the fastest fundraiser in the city.

At UAL ART TEMPS, I supported the Head of Online Showcasing through workshops, meetings, and effective coordination of diaries. Collaborating with a team, we identified prevalent and topical themes to be showcased through the Graduate Showcase site. My contributions and efforts in bringing these themes to life exemplified my dedication to facilitating a seamless online experience for artists and viewers.

With my prior work experience and my newly acquired animation skills, I’m keen on future opportunities where I can club these skills and put them to good use.

I have been applying for full-time roles for the past few months. I’ve had some really insightful experiences with companies that are working in the creative field and the kind of roles I can apply to.

One such company was Nesta. Nesta is a UK innovation agency for social good. They design, test and scale new solutions to society’s biggest problems, changing millions of lives for the better. Nesta works across a wide range of areas, including health, education, social care and the environment. It is a non-profit organization and is funded by a combination of government grants, private donations, and commercial income.

I’ve worked with multiple non-profits in the past and was very impressed by the work Nesta has been doing in the country.

The interview had 2 rounds. The first was the HR round, which was a general introduction, followed by a 3-person panel consisting of a CxO, Art Director and Head of Marketing.

Some of the questions that were asked during my interview were –

1. Why did you apply for this role and how do you feel your experience relates to it?
2. Please tell us about a time you have had to build a design or digital capability in an organisation of largely non-designers and how you went about it, what was the biggest challenge and how did
   you overcome it?
3. Tell us about a time you have had to build and manage working relationships with internal teams, all with different levels of design and digital maturity, to scope and meet their needs? How did you go about this?
4. The role touches on a number of elements of operations. You will be, at any one time – managing team budget and expenditure, procurement, GDPR compliance, etc., aligning and advocating for the team and wider design community needs among a wider
   community of operations and programme management professionals, managing designops initiatives across the organisation to improve the ability to use design and digital ways of working. Tell us about your experience in managing the operations of a team, particularly budgets and any procurement requirements.

The interviewers were kind enough to answer my questions as well. They shared how Nesta as an organisation is very dynamic and seeking innovative ideas to work towards social good. And how marketing is a brilliant tool for companies to create an impact.

They went ahead with another candidate as they wanted someone with extensive work experience in the industry. But I really enjoyed the interaction I had with the team and learning about a really cool organisation.

Being an international student, the list of filters I have to look for a job is a tad bit longer than the local students. I want to look out for jobs that can help me with Visa sponsorships and be a steady source of income. I also want to work in a roles that are global so that if in future, I have to relocate, the transition is relatively smoother. I want to club my previous work experience with corporates as a marketer, with my newly acquired animation skills.

Challenges

• Visa sponsorship: As an international student, you will need to find a company that is willing to sponsor your visa. This can be a lengthy and complicated process, so it is important to start early.
• Relocation: The animation industry is global, so you may need to relocate to find a job. This can be a challenge, especially if you are not familiar with the visa implications.

Opportunities

• High demand for animators: There is a high demand for animators in the global market. This means that you have a good chance of finding a job, even if you are an international student.
• Competitive salaries: The salaries for animators are relatively good. This means that you should be able to make a comfortable living, even if you are working in a developing country.
• Global opportunities: The animation industry is global, so you have the opportunity to work all over the world. This can be a great way to experience new cultures and meet new people.

Combining marketing and animation skills

My previous work experience as a marketer can be a valuable asset in the animation industry. Marketers are responsible for creating and executing marketing campaigns. This includes creating advertising materials, developing marketing strategies, and managing social media accounts.

My animation skills can be used to create marketing materials, such as animated commercials, explainer videos, and social media graphics. I can also use my animation skills to develop marketing strategies that incorporate animation.

By combining my skills, I can create a unique and valuable skillset that is in high demand in the animation industry.

In the past 2 years at UAL, I got the opportunity to experiment with a variety of styles of animation. Coming from a non-design background, I never got the chance to learn and experience these different styles of animations, illustration, and software.

2D was the first style that was introduced to us as a part of our curriculum. And it just clicked. There is something about the look of 2D that just makes sense. It is probably because I grew up watching cartoons that were mainly in 2D, so it resonates with me. I enjoy making stop motion, and I would definitely continue it for my personal projects and as a hobby. I don’t plan on pursuing 3D right now, but in the future, that is certainly something I want to explore.

One of the things that I learned was the importance of storyboarding. A storyboard is a visual representation of your animation. It helps you to plan out your shots and to make sure that your story flows smoothly. I found storyboarding to be a very helpful tool, and I’m glad that I learned how to do it.

Another thing that I learned at UAL was the importance of collaboration. Animation is a team sport. You need to be able to work with other people to bring your vision to life. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to collaborate with other students on my projects. It was a great way to learn from others and to improve my own skills.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have studied animation at UAL. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me as an animator.