Dialogues in Design

What happens when an architect finds their calling beyond conventional architectural practice?

In this episode of Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations, I sit down with Yamini to explore her journey from studying architecture to building a career in content writing and copywriting for architects and designers.

We talk about the misconceptions surrounding architectural education, the importance of communicating design beyond industry jargon, and why architecture is as much a business as it is a creative practice.

Yamini shares how she discovered a gap in the market, used her architectural background as an advantage, and built her presence on LinkedIn through experimentation and consistency. We also discuss documenting your journey, building a personal brand, and exploring alternative career paths without feeling pressured to abandon the degree you've worked so hard for.

Whether you're an architecture student, a young architect, or someone considering a career beyond traditional practice, this conversation is a reminder that your degree doesn't have to define the limits of your career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Finding your way into architecture and beyond
• Transitioning from architectural practice to content writing
• Communicating design to clients and non-architects
• Building a personal brand and finding your niche on LinkedIn
• Treating architecture as a business, not just a creative pursuit
• Testing alternative career paths before making the switch
• Using your architectural education as an unfair advantage
• Books and resources for young architects

Books mentioned in the episode:

• Letters to a Young Architect
• Unbuilt Ideas
• Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
• Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
• Blue Ocean Strategy

About Dialogues in Design

Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations explores the journeys, decisions, and experiences that shape careers in architecture and design, bringing honest conversations and fresh perspectives to students and young professionals.

Subscribe for more conversations about finding your own path in the world of design.

Follow Me:
Website: ⁠⁠www.dialoguesindesign.com
Instagram: ⁠  / dialoguesindesign  
LinkedIn:   / nikita-daptardar  

What happens to architecture when AI can make almost anything?

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, Nikita Daptardar speaks with architect, artist, and entrepreneur Kitae Kim about his journey from architecture and fine art to spatial design, technology, and building Foveate.

They explore experiential design, the changing relationship between architects and clients, the impact of AI on architectural practice, and why architects may need to move beyond simply making drawings and images.

Kitae also shares advice for young architects on developing soft skills, understanding business, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding a career path that is truly their own.

Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/kitaedesigns

Follow Me:
Website: ⁠⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/dialoguesindesign
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

What happens when a career moves from architectural history and web design into the world of AI?

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I’m joined by Dan Frydman, an AI Architectural Designer and visual storyteller with over 25 years of experience in web design and development. We talk about his journey through architectural history and web design, and how these experiences have shaped his current explorations with AI.

From Midjourney and architectural visualisation to the possibilities of AI as a creative tool, we explore how technology is opening up new ways of imagining and communicating design.

Connect with Dan:

Website: https://danfrydman.com/

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Dialogues in Design for more conversations with architects, designers, artists and educators.

Follow Me:

Website: ⁠⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠ instagram.com/dialoguesindesign

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

What happens to craft when technology changes the way we design, make and think?

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with Rishav Jain, Senior Associate Professor at CEPT University, for a conversation about craft, technology, culture and the future of design.

We talk about whether craft really needs to be “uplifted”, what happens when traditional knowledge meets contemporary design, how technology is changing the role of designers, and what design education needs to look like for the next generation.

It’s a conversation about looking at craft differently, questioning some of the assumptions we have around design, and thinking about where the field could go next.

🎙️ Guest: Rishav Jain
Senior Associate Professor, Faculty of Design, CEPT University
Program Chair, Bachelor of Design (Hons.)
Head, International Office

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Dialogues in Design for more conversations with architects, designers, artists and educators.

Follow Me:Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠Instagram: ⁠ / dialoguesindesign LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

In this episode of Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations, I sit down with Ishwariya Rajamohan for an honest conversation about confidence, perfectionism, and finding your own direction in design.

We talk about the pressure to get things right, the fear of making mistakes, and how perfectionism can sometimes hold us back rather than push us forward. Ishwariya shares her experiences of navigating the early stages of her career, building confidence, learning to let go, and understanding that growth does not always look perfect.

Connect with Ishwariya:Website: https://www.ishoorajamohan.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishoo.rajamohan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishwariya-rajamohan/

Follow Me:

Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠ / dialoguesindesign

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I speak with building services engineer Xin Jin about sustainability, Passive House principles, architecture and engineering, and the unexpected lessons Tai Chi can bring to professional life.

We talk about curiosity, career growth, working across disciplines, finding balance, and why sometimes the best approach is to step back, simplify, and return to first principles.

Why Dialogues in Design?

What led to the conversations I’ve been having over the past six months?

This episode is a little different. For once, I’m not just the one asking the questions, I’m answering some of them too.

Over the past six months, I’ve spoken with designers, architects, and creatives about their careers, choices, uncertainties, and everything in between. Somewhere along the way, those conversations started making me reflect on my own journey.

What was I looking for when I started Dialogues in Design? What am I seeking now? And what happens when curiosity leads you somewhere you never expected to go?

In this episode, I turn some of those questions towards myself and reflect on the journey so far. From being the shy, introverted person who was intimidated by the idea of starting a podcast to having conversations with people across the design industry.

Maybe Dialogues in Design started with questions. But you don’t start something because you have all the answers.

You start because you’re curious enough to ask.

This is a personal conversation — one I’m having with myself, and one I’m having with you.

🎙️ Welcome to a slightly different Dialogue.

What does it really mean to find your way in architecture?

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I speak with Oriana Fernandez, a chartered architect, urban designer and project design manager with over sixteen years of experience across India and the UK.

Originally trained at the Goa College of Architecture and CEPT University, Oriana has built a career spanning architecture, urban design, design management, mentoring and writing. She is also the founder of Studio to Practice, a mentoring pilot connecting architecture students with live practice.

We talk about her journey from India to the UK, navigating the profession as an internationally trained architect, the realities of moving from education into practice, and the skills architects develop beyond design.

We also explore career pivots, professional identity, networking, Building Safety, mentorship, the role of universities and practices, and what needs to change to make architecture a more sustainable career.

Oriana shares why there is no single path through architecture, why documenting your work and building your network matter, and how we can make the profession more accessible for those coming after us.

Oriana Fernandez also writes about professional life in architecture on Substack and for Building Design, and runs Ferames, Limb and Verda (FLV), a fictional agony aunt column for architects and architecture students.

https://substack.com/@orianafernandez

Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations

Hosted by Nikita Daptardar

www.dialoguesindesign.com

The best designer doesn’t always win the project.

Is being a good designer enough to build a career in architecture?

We spend years in architecture school perfecting our design skills, but rarely talk about what happens beyond the design itself: business, branding, sales, communicating value and winning work.

Today, I’m joined by Daniel Patterson, an award-winning RIBA Part 1 architectural designer turned brand strategist for architects and founder of Masterplan.pro. Daniel works at the intersection of architecture, branding and business, helping architects understand their value, build stronger brands and win better work.

In this conversation, we unpack the business side of architecture and why being a great designer is only part of building a successful career.

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with Caitlin Brady architect, project manager, and creator of Architectette, to explore what it really takes to build a fulfilling career in architecture.

We discuss:

* Caitlin's journey from architecture school to becoming a licensed architect

* Balancing architecture school with full-time professional work

* The transition from student to industry

* Why mentorship and networking matter more than ever

* The story behind the Architectette podcast

* Women in architecture and creating a more inclusive profession

* Using AI as a tool while developing critical thinking

* Career advice for architecture students and emerging professionals

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is building their own path in architecture.

Architectette Podcast: https://www.architectette.com/

Follow Dialogues in Design:

Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dialoguesindesign/