D Talks - The Design Podcast

About D Talks - The Design Podcast

Welcome to my show! I'm Sanjay Reddy, an engineer turned Podcaster, Designer, Author & Mentor. D Talks - The Design Podcast is where aspiring designers, students, professionals, and career switchers discover what it really takes to build a career in design. Through candid conversations with designers, educators, and industry leaders, we explore design education, portfolios, internships, career growth, entrepreneurship, and the realities of the creative industry. If you're curious about design and the people shaping it, this podcast is for you.

Publisher

Sanjay Reddy

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 May 2020

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

81 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2026

   NID AIR 1 | Transportation Design | Samarjeet Aherraro | D Talks - The Design Podcast

   Samarjeet Aherrao found out design colleges existed at the end of Class 12. He cracked NID at All India Rank 1.In between, he did something almost no aspirant does — three industry internships before design school. Ultraviolette, E-Moby, and Tech Mahindra, where he worked alongside people from Volvo, International Trucks and Pininfarina. By the time he walked into the NID interview, being grilled on his portfolio for 25 minutes felt like just another Monday review.This episode is the full breakdown. What the NID mains actually looked like this year — five questions, three hours, all sketching. What happens inside the studio test — still life on the ground, speed forms from the word "flying", and a three-wheeler for a milkman built from clay, wire, acrylic and toothpicks. Who sits on the interview panel and what each of them is measuring. And the hardest question they asked him, about the ergonomics of a land speed record motorcycle, he couldn't defend.If you're preparing for NID, UCEED, CEED or NIFT — or you're an engineering student wondering whether the switch to design is still possible — this one is for you.Chapters00:00 A Guinness World Record on the wall01:40 How car magazines built a designer02:58 The Mercedes SLK that started it at age seven04:23 Why he ended up in engineering instead of design04:52 The racing team in the basement07:09 Unlearning four years of engineering at Mantra Academy09:30 Ultraviolette: "I don't want to look at this. Tell me what you've done."14:35 Design from the inside out14:57 Tech Mahindra, Volvo, Pininfarina — and the Gantt chart18:24 Why a mechanical engineering degree wasn't enough19:42 How he actually prepared — lines, circles and internships21:06 Inside the NID mains22:30 The studio test, question by question24:48 The interview panel, explained29:37 The hardest question they asked31:12 They answer their own questions while grilling you32:00 When the design brain and the engineering brain fight34:49 Principles: sleep, diet, and blame the process37:22 Plan B was a motorcycle company________________________________________Introduction to Design — my book for anyone starting out in design. (https://amzn.in/d/08XnhMco)Winner, Kyoorius Design Award 2024. No jargon, 100+ original illustrations, written for India.________________________________________Designex Studio — mentorship for NID, UCEED, CEED, NIFT ( https://online.designexstudio.com/) and private design entrances. Weekly assignments, and personal feedback.If this helped, subscribe — new episodes with toppers and design industry leaders every week.________________________________________Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host)Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjayreddy144/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sanjayreddy144/)

2. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Future of Design Education | Dr Arundhati Guha Thakurta, Associate Dean, NMIMS School of Design | D Talks - The Design Podcast

   Guest: Dr Arundhati Guha ThakurtaAssociate Dean, NMIMS School of Design Hosted by ⁠Sanjay Reddy ⁠Author | Podcaster | Designer In this episode of D Talks - The Design Podcast, Sanjay Reddy sits down with a design educator and researcher to explore a question that is becoming increasingly important for designers, students, educators, and parents: "What does it mean to learn and practise design in an AI-first world?"The conversation moves beyond the usual debate of whether AI will replace designers. Instead, it examines what technology cannot easily replace - **thinking, curiosity, empathy, observation, contextual understanding, ethical judgement, and the ability to identify the real problem behind what we see.**Drawing from experience across cognitive science, human factors, industrial engineering and design education, the discussion explores how design schools need to evolve when tools can generate screens, prototypes, research summaries and ideas within seconds.The episode also looks at "humanising technology", the importance of real-world research, cognitive biases, responsible use of AI, transparency, consent, dark patterns and accountability in design. At its core is a concern that as technology makes creating easier, students should not lose the ability to question, observe, reflect and think independently.For design aspirants and students, the message is simple: learning every new tool is not enough. Software will change. Technology will continue to evolve. "Your ability to think is what remains irreplaceable".A conversation about AI, design education and the skills that may matter most in the future of design.__________⁠Book: Introduction to Design⁠ (https://amzn.in/d/e86hRAr)“Introduction to Design” isn’t just a book; it’s a helpful guide that clears up confusion, busts myths, and shows the way for new designers. With the help of beautiful and simplified diagrams and illustrations, this book makes understanding the design world even easier and more practical, empowering readers to explore their creativity with confidence. Split into four main parts, each one acts like a map, leading you through the world of design. It helps you understand what design is all about and figure out your own path within it. With easy-to-understand writing and detailed illustrations, this book goes beyond just teaching - it becomes a joyful experience, full of knowledge, and a journey of discovery and understanding yourself better.I've been designing for 15 years and if this book had come 15 years ago, I would have achieved all I did till now, in 8 years! Aaquib WaniFounder & Creative Director Aaquib Wani Design________________________________________Introduction to Design ⁠⁠online courses for UCEED, CEED, NID & NIFT⁠⁠ (https://online.designexstudio.com/)________________________________________Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host)Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjayreddy144/)⁠⁠Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sanjayreddy144/)

3. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Generalist vs Specialist: What actually wins in creative careers? | Mikhil Saluja, Creative Director, Amazon Prime Video

   Guest: Mikhil Saluja Creative Director, Amazon Prime Video Hosted by Sanjay Reddy (https://www.instagram.com/sanjayreddy144) Author | Podcaster | Designer Mikhil’s journey spans design, photography, branding, advertising, entrepreneurship, Netflix APAC, and now Amazon Prime Video. Having worked across disciplines, industries, and countries, he brings a unique perspective on creativity, career growth, storytelling, and the value of staying curious. In this conversation, we discuss the role of exploration in building a creative career, how designers can develop taste and intuition, the importance of looking beyond their immediate discipline, and why some of the most meaningful career opportunities emerge when we allow ourselves to follow curiosity rather than rigid plans. Whether you’re a design student, a young creative professional, a career switcher, or someone trying to navigate an increasingly multidisciplinary world, this episode offers valuable insights into creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning. __________ Book: Introduction to Design (https://amzn.in/d/e86hRAr) “Introduction to Design” isn’t just a book; it’s a helpful guide that clears up confusion, busts myths, and shows the way for new designers. With the help of beautiful and simplified diagrams and illustrations, this book makes understanding the design world even easier and more practical, empowering readers to explore their creativity with confidence. Split into four main parts, each one acts like a map, leading you through the world of design. It helps you understand what design is all about and figure out your own path within it. With easy-to-understand writing and detailed illustrations, this book goes beyond just teaching - it becomes a joyful experience, full of knowledge, and a journey of discovery and understanding yourself better. I've been designing for 15 years and if this book had come 15 years ago, I would have achieved all I did till now, in 8 years! Aaquib Wani Founder & Creative Director Aaquib Wani Design ________________________________________ Introduction to Design ⁠online courses for UCEED CEED NID & NIFT⁠ (⁠⁠https://online.designexstudio.com/⁠) ________________________________________ Connect with Sanjay Reddy(Host) ⁠Linkedin (⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjayreddy144/) ⁠ (⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjayreddy144/)⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/sanjayreddy144/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

38,132

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

4.6 / 5

27 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

61

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51