Welcome back to Designare’s Sunday Stories! This is our fourth blog, and we have something special for you. This time, we’re featuring Nisha, a Design Manager from Kotak Mahindra Bank! Nisha is a creative professional who’s passionate about making an impact through her work. What makes this blog unique is that Nisha herself has written it just for you. Let's dive in!
Hello! Before I share my story, let me introduce myself. I’m Nisha, a designer just like you. I have a BTech degree, but I didn’t become an engineer, and that’s something I’m okay with now, even though I wasn’t a few years ago. Let me take you back to that time.
When I was in college, my experience was nothing like the fun and relaxed life people imagine. Especially at IIT, where everyone assumes you’re set for a good job. But for me, it was the opposite. I wasn’t a great student—in fact, I was below average. I was known for all the wrong reasons: barely attending classes, failing multiple courses, and struggling with depression and frequent illness. There was a lot of gossip about me, and it felt like I didn’t fit in, no matter how hard I tried.
That period was the toughest time of my life. I remember how people looked at me like I was different because I didn’t fit the mold. And that wasn’t my only challenge.
I come from a lower-middle-class family, and my parents took out a loan for my education. I was convinced I wouldn’t get a job, and in my community, educating girls wasn’t a priority. Some relatives even told my dad not to waste money on my education, but he fought for it and gave my sister and me the best education possible. I didn’t want to let my parents down. They could have lived more comfortably if they hadn’t invested in us, so I felt a heavy responsibility, and the fear of not fulfilling it was overwhelming.
Despite my struggles, there was one thing I excelled at: art. Painting became my escape, keeping me motivated through those tough years. I was active in the college art society the whole time. As I reached my final semester—an extra one due to failing eight courses—I had given up on placements or getting a job. So, I had nothing to focus on.
With time on my hands, I started posting my artwork online and even created a Facebook page. To my surprise, I received positive feedback. I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I knew I enjoyed sharing my art. One day, a senior reached out to me and suggested I try UI/UX design. Curious, I looked it up. It was new to me, but it seemed interesting, so I wanted to learn more.
While others were preparing for placements, I spent two months diving into UI/UX design, taking online courses, and watching YouTube videos. I loved every moment of it.
Then I saw an opening for a UI/UX internship and applied without hesitation. It was my first interview, done online. The internship was with an early-stage startup, paying just ₹5000 a month, but I didn’t care about the money. I was excited to learn. Though I wasn’t the most qualified, the recruiters saw my energy.
That internship led to another, and then to my first full-time job at a startup in Bangalore. Opportunities kept coming, and I learned design on the job. I had no formal design degree and no mentor. In my first internship, I was the only designer. In my second, my manager left early on. At my third company, I was the first and only designer, eventually building my own team. It was challenging, but I loved every bit of it. Today, I’m a Senior Design Manager at Kotak Securities, and I truly enjoy my work.
Looking back, it feels like design found me, not the other way around.
The takeaway? If I could do it, so can you. All you need is passion and determination. Believe in yourself, and embrace the journey—you never know where it will take you.