The Visual Communication Design Department at the Alliance School of Design, in collaboration with the Alliance CAN Office, organised a master class titled “Design Talks – Becoming a Designer.” The session featured Mr. Anil Reddy, Founder and Design Director of Happy Pet Care and founder of Lollypop Design. The master class provided students with an opportunity to understand the journey of a designer and gain insights into the realities of the design profession.

During the session, Mr. Reddy spoke about his personal journey and the experiences that shaped his career. He shared that his early work began as an artist painting walls in villages and on the outskirts of Bengaluru, often working on a per-square-foot basis. His search for opportunities later took him to Saudi Arabia for a project, after which he travelled to New Zealand where he pursued a course in graphic design. These experiences eventually led him to establish Lollypop Design, which grew into a design studio with multiple branches across the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. Reddy explained that the journey of becoming a designer requires perseverance, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from different environments. Through examples from his professional experiences, he highlighted the importance of embracing challenges and remaining open to new perspectives while building a career in design.

A central part of the discussion focused on the fundamental principles that guide effective design practice. Mr. Reddy emphasised four key pillars that designers should integrate into their work: research, psychology, creativity, and technology. He explained that research helps designers understand context and gather evidence, while psychology allows them to better understand user behaviour and needs. Creativity enables designers to generate original ideas, and technology provides the tools required to translate those ideas into functional outcomes. He encouraged students to view these four elements as guiding principles throughout their professional journey.

Towards the end of the session, Mr. Reddy introduced students to his current venture, Happy Pet, a pet-tech startup focused on addressing the needs of pets and their owners. He explained that the platform is being developed through careful observation of the ecosystem surrounding pet care and by identifying challenges that can be addressed through design-driven solutions. The example illustrated how design thinking can extend beyond traditional design roles and contribute to problem-solving in emerging sectors.

The master class offered students both inspiration and practical insights into the professional design landscape. Mr. Reddy’s experiences highlighted the importance of curiosity, courage, and continuous learning in shaping a sustainable career in the creative field. The session also demonstrated how design can function as a tool for innovation and meaningful impact.

The interaction also created an immediate opportunity for one of the students. Mr. Reddy appreciated the work of Visual Communication Design student Deva Nandan and offered him an internship with Happy Pet during the session. The opportunity reflected the value of direct engagement between students and industry professionals.

Through initiatives such as the Design Talks series, Alliance University continues to provide students with exposure to industry perspectives and professional experiences that support their academic and creative development.