43 Alizay Imran – Featured in the 2024 ISET Careers Publication We are immensely proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Alizay Imran, a postgraduate master’s student in Interior Design at the University of Johannesburg, who has been recognised in the prestigious 2024 ISET Careers Publication. This publication shines a spotlight on outstanding students and emerging talents across various disciplines, and Alizay’s feature is a testament to her remarkable achievements during her academic journey. Alizay’s inclusion in the ISET Careers Publication comes after an exceptional performance during her honours degree, where her innovative approach to interior design was consistently met with high praise. Her work during this period demonstrated not only advanced technical skills but also an ability to think critically and creatively in solving complex design challenges. Alizay’s projects reflect a thoughtful balance of aesthetic sensibility, functionality, and sustainability — key elements in the contemporary design landscape. The recognition in the ISET Careers Publication underscores her determination, passion for design, and the quality of her academic contributions. It also highlights her potential to influence the future of interior design with fresh perspectives and a commitment to addressing real-world problems through creative and sustainable design solutions. We are excited to see where Alizay’s journey takes her next and have no doubt that her future contributions to the field will continue to inspire and influence others. Link to the full publication: https://online. fliphtml5.com/chhem/mdhn/#p=20 Mawande Mdluli – Featured on UJTV We are proud to celebrate Mawande Mdluli, an exceptional master’s student in Interior Design at the University of Johannesburg, who was recently featured on UJTV. Mawande is not only a dedicated and creative interior design student but also serves as the Senior Student Coordinator for UJ FADA and Senior Tutor in the Interior Design Department. His passion for both academic excellence and student mentorship makes him a standout figure in our department. Mawande’s feature on UJTV highlights his multifaceted role within the university and the interior design community. As a senior student coordinator, Mawande plays a crucial part in organising student-driven initiatives that foster collaboration, leadership, and professional growth within UJ FADA. His leadership is marked by a commitment to inclusivity and the empowerment of his peers, contributing significantly to the positive learning environment within our department. His appearance on UJTV provided Mawande the opportunity to share his journey, discussing his experiences as a postgraduate student and as a leader within the UJ community. He continues to be an inspiring example for both current and future students, demonstrating how to balance academic pursuits with meaningful contributions to the academic community. & 2 0 I S E T C A R E E R S S A I S E T C A R E E R S S A 2 1 INTERIOR DESIGNER, MASTERS STUDENT AND SENIOR TUTOR (UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG) SYED ALIZAY IMRAN alizayimran21@gmail.com Alizay Imran What factors influenced you to choose this career path? I was deeply interested in people’s lives and the spaces that we inhabit. Before applying, I made a habit of visiting open houses to gain insight into the diverse array of homes people inhabited. I found it fascinating! How different people had different requirements for their spaces. Spaces can enrich people’s lives and can function as heartbeats for communities where we nurture social bonds. I was also interested in design movements. The idea of design trends coming in and out of fashion to suit the needs of the people. Design trends are almost becoming synopsis with changing times in society. What kind of education, training or background is required in your career? Interior design education typically involves completing either a threeyear diploma or degree program. Upon graduation, individuals are qualified to begin practicing in the field. For those seeking to pursue interior design honours, completing a degree program is a prerequisite. What do you do? What are your duties/functions/ responsibilities? As an interior designer, I think my first responsibility is to the users of the space I create. While spaces need to appear aesthetically appealing, it is often forgotten that these spaces are to be inhabited by people. That means that spaces need to be functional. Interior designers are responsible for space planning which ties in with functional space. Interior designers are also responsible for conceptual development, construction drawings, shopfitting and building services and human comfort overall project management. What part of this career do you personally find most satisfying? The best part about the career is seeing a project coming together. You’re still in the early development stage, but you’ve created this unique space and can’t wait to share your idea with everyone. I would say the second most satisfying thing would be construction drawings. They have a certain rhythm to them. They’re fun and challenging to produce, and they are incredibly gratifying when they’re done. How have you overcome challenges, if any, in your profession to date? My biggest challenge was that I didn’t come from any design background. So, it took some time before I started thinking and working like a designer. Overcoming this required a lot of research. I started subscribing to architectural and design websites. I became more aware of design trends and design issues around me. It enhanced the way I approached projects and improved how I thought. It also takes some time to discover yourself as a designer and determine your strengths and weaknesses. What advice would you offer learners who are interested in pursuing this career path? The advice that I would offer to learners is that interior design is a lot of work, but all good things are. It’s gratifying, and I believe that as designers, we can fundamentally change people’s lives. Design is dynamic and always moving forward; the way we live, work and play in spaces is also constantly changing. I think it’s an exciting time to join this discipline Do you feel that your industry or profession will remain relevant in the 21st century? Absolutely. With the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, it does appear that specific jobs will become obsolete. If anything, we can use technology to our advantage to design spaces even faster, with a deeper consideration for human needs, safety and comfort. I feel like designers have a very critical role in conceptualizing and planning projects. AI could try to replicate that type of role but not quite get it. I believe there will always be a need for humans to perform tasks that technology either cannot accomplish or cannot yet execute proficiently. Are there any people who have been particularly helpful to you on your career path and how did they help you? Honestly, the entire Department of Interior Design at the University of Johannesburg was helpful on my career path. I can’t thank the lecturers enough for all that they have done. The department consists of a supportive group of lecturers, all of whom possess incredible skills. I also think my class had a lot to do with it. I had a tremendous and supportive group of peers. What advice would you give learners in grade 12 who intend to study at a university for the first time and how would you describe your first year of university experience in terms of the subjects you studied? Going to university for the first time can be very fun and exciting. It’s an entirely different environment from high school. There is ample freedom to express yourself and to grow into an individual. It does require you to be more proactive in your work. First-year subjects are always great as they ease you into the programme and industry. My first year in interior design is really good as it begins with building the foundation of the elements of design, computer skills, and technical drawing conventions. What exactly does the word ‘success’ mean to you? To me, success is a very personalized emotion. If I set out to do something, and I do it, I am successful. It doesn’t always have to be the best compared to everyone else, but as long as I’ve achieved the best of my ability. People often get wrapped up in other people’s lives and start comparing their lives to someone else’s. My advice would be to focus on yourself. Your work and your life deserve 100% of your attention.
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