In this episode of Dialogues in Design, Nikita Daptardar speaks with architect, artist, and entrepreneur Kitae Kim about his journey from architecture and fine art to spatial design, technology, and building Foveate.

They explore experiential design, the changing relationship between architects and clients, the impact of AI on architectural practice, and why architects may need to move beyond simply making drawings and images.

Kitae also shares advice for young architects on developing soft skills, understanding business, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding a career path that is truly their own.

Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/kitaedesigns

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Website: ⁠⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/dialoguesindesign
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with Chris—architect, mentor, content creator, and podcast host—to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful career in architecture.

We talk about:
• How Chris went from a traditional architectural career to building a personal brand
• The importance of mentors and learning through meaningful relationships
• Overcoming shyness and developing confidence as a professional skill
• Building an authentic online presence as an architect
• Why niching down can help you stand out
• The skills every architect should develop for the future of the profession
• Why communication may be your greatest career advantage
• Chris's honest advice for students and young graduates entering architecture today

Whether you're an architecture student, recent graduate, or practicing architect, this conversation is packed with practical insights on designing not just buildings, but your own career.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

🎙️ Dialogues in Design is a podcast exploring the journeys, ideas, and insights of architects, designers, and creative professionals to inspire the next generation.

Tim reflects on the challenges of architectural jargon, the importance of learning to guide conversations with clients and stakeholders, and the value of understanding how spaces affect the people who use them. He discusses how designing psychiatric centres shaped his sensitivity to user experience, and how his independent design explorations help him remain connected to the joy of creativity.

At its core, this episode examines professional growth, responsibility, and the importance of passing knowledge forward, offering meaningful insights for emerging architects navigating the early stages of their careers.

Tune in to listen to the entire conversation!

What led to the conversations I’ve been having over the past six months?

This episode is a little different. For once, I’m not just the one asking the questions, I’m answering some of them too.

Over the past six months, I’ve spoken with designers, architects, and creatives about their careers, choices, uncertainties, and everything in between. Somewhere along the way, those conversations started making me reflect on my own journey.

What was I looking for when I started Dialogues in Design? What am I seeking now? And what happens when curiosity leads you somewhere you never expected to go?

In this episode, I turn some of those questions towards myself and reflect on the journey so far. From being the shy, introverted person who was intimidated by the idea of starting a podcast to having conversations with people across the design industry.

Maybe Dialogues in Design started with questions. But you don’t start something because you have all the answers.

You start because you’re curious enough to ask.

This is a personal conversation — one I’m having with myself, and one I’m having with you.

🎙️ Welcome to a slightly different Dialogue.

Erin Pellegrino is a registered architect, educator, and co-founder of Out of Architecture: a career platform and community helping architects understand and expand their value within and beyond traditional practice. Through Matter, her design and fabrication studio, Erin maintains an active practice focused on small-scale, process-driven work involving custom furniture, public interventions, and residential design/build projects that move fluidly between concept and craft. She has taught at Cornell University, Harvard, The New School, CUNY, and NJIT, where she co-leads a design/build program focused on public interest design. Her work has been recognized with an Autodesk BuildSpace Fellowship, an AIA New England Design Honor Award, multiple Core77 Design Awards, two Architizer A+ Awards, and a nomination for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award.

Through honest stories and thoughtful insights, Erin shares why emerging professionals should embrace experimentation, stay adaptable, and trust that there is more than one way to practice design.

Hiloni believes in combining the client's requirements, context challenges, climate and community requirements to come up with unconventional solutions for projects. All of her projects have an intrinsic experiential value that makes the spaces more usable and enjoyable for the end user. The solution systems designed for the projects are derived upon after extensive research into the user's patterns, functions, and interactions. She is constantly pushing the envelope in terms of use of technology and materials in design and architecture.

She is also a advocate of sustainable use in architecture by promoting grassroots sustainable methods like material reuse and zero wastage in various projects.

Follow HSC Designs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsc_designs?igsh=Y2pvM29vZWRmdjIz&utm_source=qr

We discuss:

* Caitlin's journey from architecture school to becoming a licensed architect

* Balancing architecture school with full-time professional work

* The transition from student to industry

* Why mentorship and networking matter more than ever

* The story behind the Architectette podcast

* Women in architecture and creating a more inclusive profession

* Using AI as a tool while developing critical thinking

* Career advice for architecture students and emerging professionals

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is building their own path in architecture.

Architectette Podcast: https://www.architectette.com/

Follow Dialogues in Design:

Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dialoguesindesign/

If you're at a crossroads or planning your next move, this conversation offers thoughtful insights on navigating those defining moments.

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with Rishav Jain, Senior Associate Professor at CEPT University, for a conversation about craft, technology, culture and the future of design.

We talk about whether craft really needs to be “uplifted”, what happens when traditional knowledge meets contemporary design, how technology is changing the role of designers, and what design education needs to look like for the next generation.

It’s a conversation about looking at craft differently, questioning some of the assumptions we have around design, and thinking about where the field could go next.

🎙️ Guest: Rishav Jain
Senior Associate Professor, Faculty of Design, CEPT University
Program Chair, Bachelor of Design (Hons.)
Head, International Office

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Dialogues in Design for more conversations with architects, designers, artists and educators.

Follow Me:Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠Instagram: ⁠ / dialoguesindesign LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with architect, mentor, and founder Ryan Wenham to explore the realities of navigating the architecture profession as a young designer.

Ryan shares his journey from discovering architecture as a child to building a platform that has helped thousands of students and graduates find direction in their careers. We talk about why talent alone isn't enough, the importance of communication, finding your niche, handling criticism, building confidence, and the three-step framework he uses to help graduates land jobs.

Whether you're an architecture student, recent graduate, or an early-career designer feeling overwhelmed by portfolios, applications, interviews, or the job market, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insights.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Ryan's journey into architecture
• Why architecture school doesn't prepare you for everything
• Building confidence through clarity
• How to find your unique value as a designer
• Receiving and giving constructive feedback
• The biggest mistakes graduates make when applying for jobs
• The importance of communication and authentic networking
• Ryan's three-step career framework: Application, Offer & Audience
• How mentorship and community can transform your career

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with architects, designers, and creative professionals.

Follow Ryan Wenham:
linkedin.com/in/ryanwenham

larsenarchitecture.com

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Website: https://dialoguesindesign.com

For the last 6 years, she has built a global community through content, events, and mentoring, while expanding into strategic communication services for creative professionals in architecture and design.

Her work focuses on simplifying storytelling and creating curated, insightful pathways within the creative industry.

We discuss Indigenous knowledge systems, decolonial education, and how design can emerge from lived realities, memory, and place. A conversation about learning from communities, and rethinking what it means to design for people.

Ayush Hazare is an architect, independent researcher, and academician whose work focuses on Indigenous knowledge systems, culturally responsive architecture, and socially driven design practices. He is the Asia Regional Winner of the Global Undergraduate Awards (GUA), Dublin 2024, for his research on revitalizing tribal Ashram schools in Gadchiroli through culturally rooted educational spaces. His research exploring Gond tribal learning systems, decolonial education, heritage, sustainability, and participatory design has been published and presented at platforms including JIIA, SPA Delhi, IIA ANVESHAN (Springer Scopus Indexed), ICBE Haryana, FEMINARCH’25, ACAH Tokyo 2026, and international academic engagements associated with Cardiff University.

Alongside practice and research, he has actively contributed to workshops, exhibitions, heritage documentation projects, academic seminars, and community initiatives focused on architecture, culture, and social impact. He has received recognitions including the Gunwanth Vidhyarthi Gold Medal for Academic & Research Excellence, Star Student Researcher by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), and Best Research Paper Award at BVDU COA Pune.

From arriving in the UK as an international graduate to securing his first role through self-learning and persistence, Abdur shares practical insights that every architecture student and young professional should hear.

We discuss:

• Why "UK experience" is more than just having a previous job.
• How to tailor your CV and portfolio for every application.
• Understanding Part 1, Part 2, Architectural Designer and other UK job roles.
• The importance of networking, LinkedIn and building meaningful professional relationships.
• Self-branding and standing out in a competitive industry.
• Using AI as a tool in architectural practice.
• Dealing with rejection, uncertainty and staying motivated during the job search.
• Practical advice for international students and graduates entering the architecture profession.

Whether you're studying architecture, urban design or looking to build your career in the UK, this conversation is filled with actionable advice and honest reflections from someone who has recently navigated the same journey.

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, subscribe and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

In our conversation, we explore the evolving relationship between computation and architecture, and how emerging technologies are reshaping design practice. Moritz shares his perspective on AI as a supportive tool that expands creative possibilities while reinforcing the architect’s responsibility in shaping outcomes. We also discuss the broader impact of computational design and how these tools are changing the way designers think and work.

Nicolas shares his journey from architecture school in Italy to working with great architects, before establishing his own research-driven practice and pursuing a parallel career in academia.

Together, we discuss:

• How architecture education differs from professional practice
• Lessons learned from working in internationally renowned firms
• The challenges of starting an architectural practice
• Building and managing a remote global team
• Why mindset is important
• The impact of AI and emerging technologies on architecture
• What students and graduates can do to prepare for the future of the profession

One of the central themes of this conversation is the idea that architects should never stop learning. As Nicolas explains, architecture is not a sprint but a marathon, and curiosity, adaptability, and critical thinking remain some of the most valuable skills a designer can develop.

Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or practicing architect, this episode offers valuable insights into building a meaningful and resilient career in architecture.

If you enjoyed this episode, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone navigating the early years of their architectural career.

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I’m joined by Dan Frydman, an AI Architectural Designer and visual storyteller with over 25 years of experience in web design and development. We talk about his journey through architectural history and web design, and how these experiences have shaped his current explorations with AI.

From Midjourney and architectural visualisation to the possibilities of AI as a creative tool, we explore how technology is opening up new ways of imagining and communicating design.

Connect with Dan:

Website: https://danfrydman.com/

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Dialogues in Design for more conversations with architects, designers, artists and educators.

Follow Me:

Website: ⁠⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠ instagram.com/dialoguesindesign

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I speak with Oriana Fernandez, a chartered architect, urban designer and project design manager with over sixteen years of experience across India and the UK.

Originally trained at the Goa College of Architecture and CEPT University, Oriana has built a career spanning architecture, urban design, design management, mentoring and writing. She is also the founder of Studio to Practice, a mentoring pilot connecting architecture students with live practice.

We talk about her journey from India to the UK, navigating the profession as an internationally trained architect, the realities of moving from education into practice, and the skills architects develop beyond design.

We also explore career pivots, professional identity, networking, Building Safety, mentorship, the role of universities and practices, and what needs to change to make architecture a more sustainable career.

Oriana shares why there is no single path through architecture, why documenting your work and building your network matter, and how we can make the profession more accessible for those coming after us.

Oriana Fernandez also writes about professional life in architecture on Substack and for Building Design, and runs Ferames, Limb and Verda (FLV), a fictional agony aunt column for architects and architecture students.

https://substack.com/@orianafernandez

Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations

Hosted by Nikita Daptardar

www.dialoguesindesign.com

We talk about curiosity, career growth, working across disciplines, finding balance, and why sometimes the best approach is to step back, simplify, and return to first principles.

We talk about the pressure to get things right, the fear of making mistakes, and how perfectionism can sometimes hold us back rather than push us forward. Ishwariya shares her experiences of navigating the early stages of her career, building confidence, learning to let go, and understanding that growth does not always look perfect.

Connect with Ishwariya:Website: https://www.ishoorajamohan.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishoo.rajamohan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishwariya-rajamohan/

Follow Me:

Website: ⁠https://dialoguesindesign.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠ / dialoguesindesign

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

Is being a good designer enough to build a career in architecture?

We spend years in architecture school perfecting our design skills, but rarely talk about what happens beyond the design itself: business, branding, sales, communicating value and winning work.

Today, I’m joined by Daniel Patterson, an award-winning RIBA Part 1 architectural designer turned brand strategist for architects and founder of Masterplan.pro. Daniel works at the intersection of architecture, branding and business, helping architects understand their value, build stronger brands and win better work.

In this conversation, we unpack the business side of architecture and why being a great designer is only part of building a successful career.

In this episode of Dialogues in Design, I sit down with Dheeraj Akolkar—architect and filmmaker—for a conversation that goes far beyond architecture and cinema.

We explore creativity, purpose, education, storytelling, and the courage it takes to follow a path that isn't already laid out. Dheeraj shares his remarkable journey from studying architecture in Pune to working with legendary production designer Nitin Desai on films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, Devdas, and Black, before moving to London to pursue filmmaking. Along the way, we discuss how architecture shaped his way of seeing the world, why storytelling lies at the heart of every creative discipline, and how caring deeply about your work can become your greatest strength.

This isn't just a conversation about buildings or films, it's about designing a meaningful life.

In this episode, we discuss:

Choosing an unconventional internship in the film industry

Why architecture is about life, not just buildings

The relationship between architecture and filmmaking

Finding your creative voice and vision

What architecture education often misses

Documentary filmmaking and creating social impact

Fear vs. love as a creative philosophy

Advice for students and young designers

If you're an architecture student, designer, filmmaker, or simply someone navigating a creative journey, I hope this conversation leaves you with something to reflect on.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more conversations like this.

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialoguesindesign/

💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar

🌐 Website: www.dialoguesindesign.com