Working in India: Raffles Millennium International

I came to India from the UK to help set up a new campus for the Singaporean design school Raffles Millennium International (RMI) here in Bangalore. I was employed on the academic staff to run the Interior (Architectural) Design department on a two-year contract. But here I am with two visa extensions, a promotion to acting Academic Director, and a new contract - and I know I am lucky to be in a job I love.  

As the first lecturer in the Interior Architecture department, I have had the opportunity to deliver all the subjects on both the Degree and Diploma courses. I am the Head of the Department.

The department has grown in staff (local and international, full-time and part-time) and students. I went from my first student to 3 students, then 10, and now we have hundreds.

It’s now mid-term and the studios, classrooms and corridors are buzzing with life, noise and creativity. 

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Yesterday, in the Creativity and Concept Development class, I was giving my second-term students a lecture on Presentation Techniques and I found myself getting motivated. I love this about teaching, it’s so rewarding and motivating; you are teaching something you are so passionate about you get caught up in it all. This often motivates me to do some personal design work but finding time to do design projects that aren’t related to my job here is challenging - I work full-time and prepare for lecturers in the evenings and weekends. 

My student intake this year is packed; 4 intakes, each term is 3 months long and, unlike Universities in the UK, there are no summer holidays (and we work every second Saturday) so it is full on but I am enjoying it.

Here are some pictures from a recent workshop I ran on campus, and some of my degree students’ 3D work.

These pictures were taken at an open day for potential students looking to apply to study Interior Architecture. I ran a 2-day workshop where they designed and built a scale future city and then presented their concept to the class. It was a lot of fun and challenging too but look how well their work turned out.

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book me as a visiting tutor

Some Views On Networking

I recently attended a conference where there was a load of leading Academics and Architects, all Indian of course, and little foreign me. In these rather daunting situations it is easy to do one of two things; blend into the background hoping no one spots you, or leave. Luckily I did neither, I sat down and listened into each speakers points hoping to pick up on an interesting topic for when I would have to confront my fears and actually speak to these people. 

how to network and introduce yourself

I find networking odd; it’s unnatural so slightly forced. You have to be brave, confident, friendly and able to act a little! If networking comes naturally to you then that’s great. Usually, I have no problems speaking to people, however, sometimes I get a little shy so I tell myself that most people are just ‘normal’ and feel the same way you do. It’s a little forced and uncomfortable at first but as soon as you get past the initial “hello I’m Sonia and I’m...” it is actually painless and you don’t really know what you were worrying about. 

How it’s done, internationally

Here in India, and a lot of Asia, when you meet someone you introduce yourself, shake hands and then hand over your ‘visiting card’ (business card to the rest of us) using both hands making sure you note their name, company and position before storing it in a respectable place, oh and accepting theirs with your right hand at the same time. This caused many moments of confusion whilst living in Japan. The initial meeting, bowing or shaking of hands went well, cards exchanged and then, ahhh, their name (there is never enough time to smoothly read it, pronounce it in your head and then say it accurately without ‘showing face’). However, if they aren’t too snooty then this becomes the icebreaker in your opening line, and before you know it, you are successful business connections.

work the room

I know how important networking is, wherever you are, and I encourage my students. Those who network well carefully and slowly work their way around a room, I admit I have watched them at work. These are the kind of people who can put names to faces, a particular skill I am jealous of. I am not the world’s best networker but I am improving. People tell me I have a friendly face so I smile a lot, this helps.

making the connections

As for the actual exchange of details, how is this best done? Many people in the West feel that business cards are dying out as modern technology takes over from the drawer filled with little cards. People either have their client/suppliers/etc contacts in their PDA or on places like LinkedIn; a web-based networking site. However, here in the East, you are virtually no one without a visiting card. 

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Good luck networking

let's connect on LinkedIn

7 Ways To Look After Number One

My students are starting to show the strain of the end of term, and so I thought I would write a little post on health and looking after number one, ourselves. We are often too busy to think about looking after ourselves but there are simple things we can do to improve this. 

7 ways to look after number one

1. Drink plenty of water:

   Get yourself a nice cup and sip it all day long

2. Do not skip breakfast:

   Eat fruit or yoghurt, or some warm winter porridge

3. Eat more food that grows on trees/plants - less processed/manufactured foods:

   A fruit salad for breakfast - steamed veg for lunch and a snack of nuts and seeds throughout the day

4. Sleep for 7-8hours a night:

   Make the bed a warm and cosy place with clean bedding, a relaxing candle, and lavender pillow spray, and switch your phone off

5. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day:

   Breathe, think but not too much!!

6. Exercise daily (try):

   Even just a brisk walk, go for a swim, jog

7. Live with Energy, Empathy, and Enthusiasm:

   Smile more, it’s a good start.

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what self-care do you practise?

Kyoorius Design Yatra 2011

This weekend saw 6 of our lecturers along with about 20 RMI students attending the Kyoorius Designyatra Conference in Goa. This is a two day design conference encouraging inspiration, ideas, discussions and networking.  There were speakers from different backgrounds, fields and countries bringing their work and stories to the stage; inspiring young designers and recharging others. This conference is mainly Graphic Design lead, however, as an Architect and Lecturer I found it interesting from a general design point and was interested to hear about these designers passion, their portfolio and their outlook on the future. 

I also attended a workshop lead by a team of Dutch Academics who have been asked by the Indian Government to explore ideas to help improve and highlight design and design education in India.  This is a topic which interests me and am looking forward to their report at the end of the year. So on my return to the bustling city of Bangalore; the horns, the music, the cooler temperature, I am feeling almost inspired enough to actually do some kind of creative work.  However, for now I am enjoying the post-Goa-mini-break feeling!

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INDIA: Happy Bollywood Penthouse Warming

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Last night Dr Loveguru (Nick) and Sheila Ki Jawani (me), along with a load of friends, warmed our new home, which just so happens to be a Penthouse. The theme was 'moustache' so everyone had bought, made or created their own kind of crazy furry top lip for the occasion. There were big, small, furry, drawn-on and arty but all inspired by the great India moustache.

An Indian NGO Projects

My sister visited a few months back to volunteer with 2 very important and hard working NGO (Non Government Organisation) projects in Bangalore. The work these charities do is incredible and the strength these volunteers have is just amazing! One of the projects is located in the slum near where I stay and I try to visit the project as much as I can. I have also introduced some friends to them and we have managed to donated some electrical items or spent time playing or singing with the children, helping with their homework and celebrating their birthdays. 

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My sisters friend is now coming to Bangalore in June to volunteer for a month.  This is invaluable work and there are simply too many people in this city alone who need help and support.