Preksha Gajjar

My journey into industrial design started in high school when I realized I was always a craft person who wasn't interested in technical, medical, or software fields. I discovered there was a whole design world where you get to understand how things are made, be part of the process, and make changes in the world with design. I completed a four-year bachelor's in product design where I explored everything from making apps and services to understanding human ergonomics and the technicalities of design. As I grew in that field, I realized I wanted to specialize in industrial design because it's more hands-on with manufacturing and production. It's a whole process where you start researching, identify problems, design multiple versions, test, prototype, and manufacture. I found that really fun, so I went ahead and specialized in industrial design to see what's out there in the world. I then pursued my master's at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Savannah, Georgia, which was phenomenal because they helped me fine-tune the execution of getting ideas out of my head. The platform they provided allowed me to explore and fail many times, which I believe is essential for success. Currently, I work with Altar'd State, an amazing women's fashion brand, where I'm designing 3D concepts for their in-store displays. They create full experiences that draw people in, not just regular mannequin displays. I'm responsible for the 3D design from scratch for their kids brand, AS Kids, using Rhino software. I design with manufacturing in mind, thinking about how pieces can be produced at mass value without being too expensive, and I provide material suggestions. It's a really collaborative environment where we iterate together. One of my proudest moments was during my master's graduation exhibition when I designed a simple drill attachment for women to hold the tool with two hands. Even though I thought it was basic, so many women came up and said it would really help them avoid hand issues. That taught me that design doesn't have to be crazy or glamorous - if it works for the users and people appreciate it, you're set.