Student story: From fine art to engineering

Meet Yasmin, a third-year student who turned her artistic roots and analytical mindset into a love for engineering design. 

My experience at a large traditional university left me feeling lost in a sea of students, so TEDI’s community-oriented approach was a huge selling point for me. From my first visit, it was clear that the bonds between staff and students were incredibly strong, which felt special and inviting.

Tell us about your educational background? 

I studied Maths, Economics, and Art for my A-Levels. I also hold a Fine Art Foundation Degree from UAL. Before coming to TEDI-London, I briefly attended LSE, pursuing a Finance degree. However, I didn’t enjoy it and decided to leave. 

What drew you to engineering? 

Honestly, I didn’t know much about engineering before discovering TEDI-London. When I saw the campus, especially the makerspaces, and learned about the projects, I was captivated. The combination of creativity and analytical thinking inherent to engineering drew me in. I’ve always loved making and creating, and engineering lets you do that but with a disciplined, well-rounded approach. My experience at a large traditional university left me feeling lost in a sea of students, so TEDI’s community-oriented approach was a huge selling point for me. From my first visit, it was clear that the bonds between staff and students were incredibly strong, which felt special and inviting.

What has your TEDI-London experience been like? 

Being part of the first cohort is truly an honour. Hearing the founding dean, Judy Raper, talk about how TEDI was a dream come true for her genuinely warmed my heart. I feel like I’m achieving my own goals while being part of her dream. The supportive atmosphere here is fantastic, from both peers and staff. It makes me sad to think about leaving such a creative, tight-knit community soon! 

Are you involved in any social clubs through KCL? 

Yes! I’m Iranian, and through the King’s College London (KCL) affiliation, I was able to join the Iranian Society, which helped me connect with people from my culture – something I’m really grateful for. I’m also an ice-skating hobbyist and have enjoyed being part of the KCL Ice Skating Society, which offers affordable skating lessons. It’s been a great way to have fun and meet people. 

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

Although I’ve really enjoyed group work, my first individual project stands out as a favourite. It was part of the User-Centred Product Design and Design for Manufacturing module in my second year. By then, I had a solid year of experience under my belt and felt ready to showcase everything I’d learned. I loved how much TEDI emphasises that good design isn’t just about efficiency but also about purpose. Another memorable project was the Living Lab, where my group got to renovate an entire room! Both projects involved a lot of making and creating, which is what I love most. The emphasis on hands-on physical projects is truly fantastic. 

What are your future plans? 

I’m planning to go straight into work after completing my BEng to further explore the engineering industry. Eventually, I may pursue a specialist subject or even return to study. Thanks to TEDI’s focus on project-based and group work, I feel confident applying for graduate roles. The experience has equipped me with essential soft skills for the industry. I hope to stay on the design side of engineering and work as a generalist professional. If it becomes an attractive option, I may start working toward chartered status in the future. 

Read more student stories from our creative community.