Interview by Kritika Gupta

Neewara Academy of Design

Ms. Deepa Bhati is the Founder and Director of Neewara Academy of Design. Having more than 10 years of experience in Professional Design Industry, she holds a passion for Design Education and Creative Research. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Design from Amity University on Anti Bacterial dyes to resist skin allergies. Her qualification includes M.A. (GPEM) in Fashion Design from Rajasthan University and has a certification in Surface Exploration from London School of Fashion, UK.

At present, Ms. Bhati teaches Surface Exploration, Draping, Research Methodology, and Advance Fashion at Neewara Academy of Design. Apart from this, she has worked on projects like Designing Uniform for JMRC, Designed women's polo collection, worked for a Malaysian movie as a costume designer. She is a recipient of Best Fashion Designer Award at FDDI Fashion Design Competition, Best Fashion Entrepreneur Award in 2018, Best Entrepreneurs Award at Tammana Udaan ki Women Achievers Award 2018 to name a few.

Experience in the education industry and reasons to choose it

‘Teaching is a Profession which creates all the other Professions’, that is what I believe in, and that is the reason for me choosing the industry. It has been a decade now, that I have been mentoring Design aspirants and making them able to work independently. It is a great feeling to see my students doing good for them and society. It is knowledge sharing to the future generation which makes me contented from inside as a human being.

Leadership philosophy and style

‘Good leaders are always good followers’ that is what I learned being in the industry for the last 10 years. To become a good leader, one needs to learn from the grassroots. I have always believed in learning from my mentors from the industry, from my colleagues, from my staff and my students. At this position too, I am always open to listening for the betterment of the college in terms of all the programs offered.

Ways to tackle challenges as the Director of Neewara Academy of Design

Every day a new challenge arises and my approach to face the same is with positivity and enthusiasm. In fact, I do not see all of it as a challenge at all, because I think that one needs to possess the managerial skills to handle it all.

Neewara Academy of Design is a big family for me and being the Head of the family I have to listen to everyone and incorporate solutions accordingly. The challenge can be of any form like updation in the syllabi, infrastructure requirements, Student Exchange Programs or Placements of the students.

USP of Neewara Academy of Design’s Curriculum

The curriculum of NAD is designed by our best of the Faculty, crosschecked by the Advisory Board Members, who are established Designers and Design Entrepreneurs from different part of the country and overseas. The entire syllabus for each program is then approved by Rajasthan ILD Skills University (RiSU).

All the five flagship programs of the institute - Fashion Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design, Product Design and Graphic Design is based on a strong Design Foundation followed by History of Art & Design, classroom Design projects, guest lectures, prototyping, portfolio and industrial internship.

Ms. Ruchi’s view on changes introduced in the Education Industry

In the past few years, there is a drastic change in this sector. There is a massive boom in Fashion Retail sector, E-Commerce, Startups, Real Estate, Interior & Architecture, Import & Export of Garments, Gems & Jewellery, Handicrafts and Home Decor. With this boom, there is an increase in new jobs and entrepreneurs in these sectors.

We at Neewara, keep on observing and studying the changes happening in the industry and try to create Design Professionals to fit in the best place possible. Students graduating from our institute are placed in top companies like Liva, Shoppers Stop, Pantaloons, Central, Lifestyle, Silvex Images, Marks & Spencers, Saffron LA, Jaipur Rugs, Angara.com, Achal Gems, Voylla.com, Sutra NY and more.

Methods opted to build a relationship with the students

For me, my students and faculty are on top of my priority list. Although we have an Academic and Administrative Council in the college, I make sure to interact with the students and their parents at the time of admission. I make sure to keep my self available and easily approachable.

Upcoming goals and plans for Neewara Academy

There are a lot of things that we have planned for the institute, students and the faculty. In terms of academics, we aim to introduce more programs that are industry specific. And we also plan on making our technology and infrastructure better. We want to collaborate with creative industries in Los Angeles and the UAE, and we hope to have more international collaboration and Guest Lectures from the Oxford University, Birmingham City University, Harvard University to name a few.

Suggestions to the youth and the aspiring students

The current youth should follow their passion and take education as per their interest, making them the best in their profession. Creativity and innovation is the key to success in the current global economy. It is important for a student to be smart, hard-working, passionate, multi-tasking and inculcate the values given by their parents and mentors. We at Neewara Academy of Design, promises the students to provide them with the wings to rise and shine as successful Fashion Designers, Interior Designers, Jewellery Designers, Product Designers, Graphic Designers, and Craft & Accessories Designers.