Student story: Designing with purpose

Meet Yuvraj, a second year student who took his passion for design, tech and art to a future in engineering.  

Tell us about your educational background  

Before coming to TEDI-London, I was at sixth form college studying 3D Design and IT. I enjoyed the creative and structural learning behind design, appreciating how essential it is in everything from architecture to public sculptures and everyday products. My love for Design, Technology and General Art during secondary school showed me what I naturally adore, and I was determined to evolve in these areas wherever possible. 

What drew you to engineering? 

If I am honest, engineering was not initially on my radar. However, I realised that I loved the aspect of designing in various projects, but I wanted to design with an understanding of real-world purposes and ensure what I create has a positive impact. Design Engineering caught my interest when I discovered it is not just about being technical but also about combining creativity with functionality and practicality. 

Why did you choose TEDI-London? 

I did not have a background in STEM subjects like Maths or Science. TEDI-London being open to diverse technical and non-technical backgrounds allowed me to continue to develop my creative design skills while learning about the world of engineering. The project based approach of linking your learning directly with practical application, and the industry integration, appealed to me.  

What’s it like being part of the TEDI-London community? 

It’s incredibly supportive.  The communication between the staff and students is brilliant, providing clear responses and support on anything from academic work to external opportunities. My peers are amazing, and I love their diverse backgrounds, which bring different thought processes and perspectives to everything we discuss, from projects to everyday life. 

Are you involved in any social clubs through Kings College London? 

Having the opportunity to join the social clubs at KCL is one of my ways to relax and leave academic work behind. During my first year, I joined the Sikh Society and the Kendo Society. The former allows me to care for myself spiritually, socially, and for relaxation. Kendo has kept me physically fit and was a completely new activity for me. 

Tell us about a memorable project you’ve worked on? 

The first year Prototyping module really put the team to the test on delivering an enjoyable project. Prototyping is a key phase for checking the functionality and practicality of what we designed, in this case, a sustainable modular hand/pillar drill. I incorporated different methods of working in and leading a team, learning from my module leaders and team members’ technical and non-technical understanding. 

How have you benefited from the industry mentorship programme? 

I joined the mentorship programme, expecting a straightforward one-to-one virtual session, but it turned out to be much more than that. It started with a conversation about my goals and how I could work on a current project to achieve them. Being in a physical workplace environment, I learned a lot about how to communicate ideas and take on leadership roles. I not only became more confident in presenting but also picked up useful teamwork skills. 

Overall, the mentorship was really inspiring. I got along well with my mentor, and each session gave me valuable insights and made me more excited about the projects at TEDI. It’s an experience I’d definitely repeat, and I hope to use what I’ve learned to mentor future engineers. 

Where do you see yourself in the future? 

I don’t know where I see myself just yet. However, I do know one thing: my time at TEDI-London will allow me to incorporate my creative design background and technical understanding of engineering. This will prepare me to reach my goals by the end of the course. Ideally, I want to take on projects from different sectors or industries and be in a position of leadership, delivering with a team and being an asset no matter where I work. 

Read more student stories from our creative community.