The Design Diary of Tathagata

Introduction

I’ve always been drawn to art and craft. Back in the day, I studied Bengali literature and spent a lot of time in theatre. I was part of a drama group—writing plays, working on stage design, playing with lights, and diving into all things crafty.

But my journey into design really began at Jadavpur University's CAD Center. In my second semester, I was introduced to graphic design—and something called web design.

The idea that you could create interactive art with just a few lines of code completely blew my mind. It wasn’t just about making things look good anymore. It was about how people think and behave. That curiosity pulled me deep into UX design.

Lessons from the Hard Way

Unlike many others, I didn’t come from a design school. I taught myself everything I know, and I’m still learning.

One of the early challenges I faced was not having proper guidance. Sure, there were frameworks like design thinking and the double diamond process, but no one told me how crucial communication is—with developers, with stakeholders.

I remember designing something I was really proud of… until it got canned. Turned out, it just wasn’t feasible from a development standpoint.

That stung. But it also taught me something valuable: good design can’t exist in a vacuum. Since then, I’ve focused on understanding technical constraints and communicating better with teams around me.

Learning Never Ends

What keeps me going? Curiosity. A constant hunger to learn.

Whether it’s design, development, or something entirely different—I dive in. It helps me stay in sync with new trends and sparks fresh ideas. Learning beyond design also sharpens creativity in unexpected ways.

I also make space for critique. I actually ask for it. Harsh feedback might sting for a moment, but it teaches you things you didn’t know you needed to learn. It pushes you to question, to think deeper, and ultimately, to design better for real people.

When Nothing Clicks

We’ve all been there. Blank screen. Zero ideas. Total block.

What works for me? I disconnect.

I’ll play some music, watch a film, or take a walk. Anything that doesn't involve overthinking. Because here’s the thing—your subconscious doesn’t stop working when you do. Often, ideas arrive when you least expect them.

If that still doesn’t work, I head online. There’s a sea of inspiration just a scroll away. Once something sparks, I capture my thoughts and jump back in.

Building from Feedback

Take Etherapy, for example—my first project at TechUp Labs.

My initial design didn’t land well. It received a lot of criticism. That was tough. But I took the feedback seriously, worked on the design, refined it again and again. Now, Etherapy’s interface is something I’m genuinely proud of. It's simple, intuitive, and well-loved by users. Check out the before and after below.

Another tricky one was Feedspace—a platform to collect and organize content. We didn’t have a clear picture of our users at the time, so I had to work with assumptions and limited insights. Instead of freezing up, I kept refining the design as we learned more. Today, it’s clean, smooth, and easy to use.

What’s most rewarding is knowing these designs directly impact people’s lives. That’s what matters the most.

Evolving on My Own Terms

You won’t find me enrolled in online courses or sitting through structured lectures. It’s not that they’re bad. It’s just not how I learn.

For me, blogs, practice, and reflection have been far more powerful. I show up every day, experiment, and let experience guide me.

I used to think everything had to be built from scratch. That perfection was the only goal. But I’ve learned that design often requires trade-offs. Sometimes good enough is enough, especially when time and context demand it.

Letting go of perfection, embracing constraints, and adapting as I go—that mindset shift of unlearning and relearning has been one of the biggest game-changers in my journey.

Learning Through Doing

The truth is, I’ve learned more from real-life work than any course could’ve offered.

Every day at TechUp Labs brings something new—a challenge, a spark, a solution. That hands-on experience has shaped my design instincts and helped me understand the real-world side of design. The kind you can’t always get from a textbook or video tutorial.

TechUp Labs is special like that. It encourages experimentation, welcomes ideas, and gives you space to grow. You’re not just doing tasks here—you’re building, exploring, and getting better with each step.

For the New Designers Out There

If you're just starting out in design, here’s something to keep in mind:

You will face criticism. It might come from your team, a client, or even from yourself. And yes—it can hurt.

But don’t let it stop you. Embrace it. Break it down. Understand what it’s trying to show you. Make it your stepping stone to grow.

And above all, stay curious. Curiosity is the fuel that keeps your creativity alive. Explore new ideas, ask questions, learn new techniques, and push your limits. Design is a journey, not a destination. So, be open. Make mistakes. Keep learning.

That’s where the real design magic happens.