Graduate / 'Finding one's true calling' - SOP MFA in Design [2]

In the summer of 2010 in a lighthearted discussion with my brother, I shared my hatred for traffic jams in Delhi. He listened carefully and shed a different perspective to these jams. My brother, a doctor by profession said it could also mean the country is progressing, people are going to work and people have work. I am always fascinated by how doctors view developments in our society; they give us designers a platform to initiate another level of communication. A level that is less discrete and technical and perhaps more approachable for the masses. The city has seen an upsurge in the number of cars in the last decade or so. Numerous flyovers and ridiculous corridors to facilitate the growing traffic needs have been built, but the situation hasn't changed since.

Consequently, in the fall of 2011, still on the roads of Delhi getting stuck in traffic jams. One evening sitting in my car caught up in a horrific jam, the idea to start something on my own occurred to me. However, right then, at the fundamental ideating stage, it dawned upon me that I don't have the required tools or knowledge to start a big venture. But, I had started something new in the isolation of my car stuck in a jam going nowhere. It inspired me to understand, how getting stuck sometimes is the best way to move forward. In urban spaces we are always on the move, we just don't want to be held back by anything. We are in a mindless rush to somewhere and nowhere.

Finding one's true calling is comparable to the Delhi traffic jams. It is a long tedious process and is often disheartening. Whether or not the next traffic light will be green is an exciting game of chance, and the anticipation of what lies ahead gives me the push to keep on driving. It is also a time of constant reflection and discovery of self. I have gotten to know myself better in the last 10 months than I have in 22 years. Truth is, it is the hardest task on the application form: to write a statement of Intent.

My career goals had started to take shape the day I decided I wanted to study Communication Design. The first and perhaps the most important lesson that this course has taught me is the distinction between Art and Design. There is a thin line between the two. A conspicuous distinction in theory, but a rather tricky relationship to adapt to. I, like every settler in the field, had no idea where to draw the line. It was in fact, well into my third year that I realized the importance of "detaching" oneself. Often, I became so engrossed in a certain idea, that important aspects leading to the ultimate failure, upon execution, were neglected. After weeks of scrutiny, I realized, the problem wasn't in the idea, it was in the partnership that I had established with the project. Communication has always been an integral part of our society. Infusing the various communication models with a design sensibility is an infallible recipe for positive change. Most people I know take forever to decide upon a college, when it came to ________________________, there were no second thoughts. The ________________________ program spoke to me immediately

I am a dreamer, a thinker and as a designer, my primary job is to communicate ideas and provide solutions to my audience in a visually sound manner. Truth be told, the job doesn't seem as hard as it actually is. Which is part of the reason why I love what I do. To simplify things, is one of my favorite things to do. I can't comprehend why things need to complex. Even though everything started out as a composite entity, free of any intricacy, by the end of it, they all become a colossal mess of confusion. I reckon it is human tendency to find solace amidst chaos. I may be naïve but I honestly believe that design will change the world.

A prevalent challenge, however, is to create a niche for oneself in the sea of designers. I find, an amalgamation of knowledge, creative thinking and skill, to be the ultimate answer to this dilemma. Several prestigious internships over the last 4 years, have helped me in finding myself and in consequence, setting myself apart from my peers by giving me the real-time experience of handling projects and responsibilities in a professional manner. I have realized that I learn better when put into a practical, result oriented environment. An environment which is reminiscent of __________________. A Post Graduate degree in ___________________ from _________________ would not only

help me bring my vision to life but also give me the skills to focus attention to the need for design education and implementation. The Program's multifaceted features would enable me to extract the most out of my critical thinking abilities and better prepare me for when I venture out into the real world industry of Design.

I am constantly learning, from my peers, environment, culture etc. but to be able to learn from the pioneers of the field would be an opportunity I would cherish for the rest of my professional career. The ____________________program will sharpen my ability to express my visual thought, address and resolve various Design concerns. My design knowledge, thus far has helped me understand the importance of time not on our clocks and watches but in our minds. Like I mentioned earlier, the traffic jams are indicators that we need to slow down, reflect upon and introspect how we want to progress. The two-minute break from the mechanized activity of driving mindlessly, allows us, or me at least to identify the numerous levels of communication that haven't been tapped into yet.

I had heard from someone that inspiration has an expiry date. That is a very scary thought, in my opinion. In fact it is that statement that makes me want to seize every opportunity I have in front of me and not let it go till I have made the most of it. My grandmother keeps reminding me that "everything happens for a reason ", I think sometimes you just have to look a little more. Maybe you'd end up fixing something that's broken in your life or the society or within yourself.

Graduate / Statement of Purpose- MFA Digital Media Arts, UCLA [2]

Expression is a perplexing word. The infinite ways that this word is used is testimony to what it truly stands for. It is, in my opinion, a liberating word. It frees every word it is associated with, makes it all the more significant and thus, memorable. Isn't that the purpose of all words woven? To be memorable. In fact, isn't that the ultimate goal of every form of communication, ever shared?

All through my high school years, we were taught to express ourselves. However, we were seldom introduced to the various forms of expression. Art, of course, was the highlight but not once were we introduced to Design as a form of expression.

There is a thin line between Art and Design. A line that is often overlooked but significant. An easily noticeable distinction in theory, but a rather tricky relationship to adapt to. I, like every settler in the field, had no idea where to draw the line. It was in fact, well into my third year of Communication Design at Pearl Academy of Fashion, that I realized the importance of "detaching" oneself. Often, I became so engrossed in a certain idea, that important aspects leading to the ultimate failure, upon execution, were neglected. After weeks of scrutiny, I realized, the problem wasn't in the idea, it was in the partnership that I had established with the project.

I am a dreamer, a thinker and as a designer, my primary job is to communicate ideas and provide solutions to my audience in a visually sound manner. Truth be told, the job doesn't seem as hard as it actually is. Which is part of the reason why I love what I do. To simplify things, is one of my favorite things to do.I can't comprehend why things need to complex. Even though everything started out as a composite entity, free of any intricacy, by the end of it, they all become a giant ball of confusion. I reckon, it is human tendency to find solace amidst chaos. My design principle has always been, "Less is more".

A prevalent challenge, however, is to create a niche for oneself in the sea of designers. I find, an amalgamation of knowledge, creative thinking and skill, to be the ultimate answer to this dilemma. Several internships over the last 4 years, have helped me in finding myself and in consequence, setting myself apart from my peers. I have realized that I learn better when put into a practical, result oriented environment. An environment which is reminiscent of UCLA's Digital Media Arts Program. This program will help me attain all that I wish to as a Designer. The Program's multifaceted features would enable me to extract the most out of my critical thinking abilities and better prepare me for when I venture out into the real world industry of Design.

I am constantly learning, from my peers, environment, culture etc. but to be able to learn from the pioneers of the field will be priceless. The Digital Media Arts Program will sharpen my ability to express my visual thought, address and resolve various Design concerns. They say good things come to those who wait, however, I strongly believe that better things come to those who go out and get them. And there is no better time to live out your dream than now and what better place to do it than University of California, Los Angeles.