Masters Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Pranjali Deepak Bengali
Student Spotlight featuring MSc Design: Products and Furniture student, Pranjali Deepak Bengali, and her project 'Kalakari'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 22 August 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The project
Pranjali's project explores the role of furniture design in preserving cultural heritage while addressing contemporary social and environmental challenges. Kalakari (taken its name from the Hindi word for craftsmanship) integrates the traditional with modern design principles with the aim of creating a console table that fosters meaningful social connections and celebrates local artistry. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices, ethical consumerism, and community empowerment in shaping the future of design.
Pranjali wanted her console table to be a cultural artefact that reflects heritage, celebrates artistry and social connections.
The inspiration behind the project
For her project, Pranjali drew on her Indian heritage. "It stems from years of observing the richness of local art in India," she explains, "where craftsmanship and passion vividly express narratives of everyday life and cultural traditions. Through my professional experience in interior design, I have worked with many clients who are passionate art collectors, and their enthusiasm for displaying art within their homes sparked the idea of creating a piece that functions both as furniture and as an artistic expression. I chose to focus on a console table because it occupies a prominent place in common areas such as living and dining rooms, spaces where families and guests gather for social occasions and shared experiences. In this way, the console becomes not only a functional object but also a cultural artefact that reflects heritage, celebrates artistry and social connections."
Pranjali strove to strike a balance between traditional aesthetics and contemporary design language.
Being part of NTU
For Pranjali, designing the console table posed the particular challenge of striking a balance between traditional aesthetics and contemporary design language, requiring, she explains, "a careful refinement of themes to achieve harmony." Developing the design concepts, mood boards, measurements, and specifications aligned well with her existing skills as a designer, but the prototyping and modelling process required the development of new skills. "Translating ideas into tangible form demanded patience and resilience," says Pranjali. "This hands-on process has strengthened by confidence in the design as it gradually materialises into a meaningful piece."
Of her time at NTU, she says: "Coming from an interior design background in a different country, I initially expected many similarities between my previous training and this course. However, studying Product and Furniture Design at NTU has significantly broadened my perspective and skill set. Learning alongside classmates from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds allowed me to approach design from new angles and appreciate different ways of thinking.
"The course not only focused on tangible product design but also introduced me to system design through collaborations with established external brands, which expanded my understanding of the wider design industry. Field trips and the hands-on approach in workshops revealed the depth of detail and craftsmanship required to create even the simplest objects. Throughout this journey, the continuous support and guidance of professors and technicians have been invaluable in helping me shape my project and develop a more individual, critical design practice."
Closing remarks
"It is difficult to single out just one moment, as my time at NTU has been filled with experiences that I will always cherish. I still remember the excitement of creating my first cutlery model, after many trials and errors, and finally achieving the perfect handle shape through hand-sanding the foam. Learning 3D printing and mastering the associated software was another milestone that expanded my technical skills. Being appreciated by my professor for my writing, selected for the mentorship programme, and receiving the NTU Excellence Scholarship were proud and motivating moments. Beyond academics, the field trips with classmates allowed me to build lasting friendships, and the opportunity to travel to Milan, an inspiring and beautiful city was truly unforgettable. Together, these experiences made my year at NTU both enriching and enjoyable."
For potential future students looking to follow in her footsteps, Pranjali has the following message: "Come with an open mind and embrace the hands-on learning, workshops and making that will teach you as much as theory if not more. And it will be an amazing experience to be surrounded by designers from different backgrounds like your own designer's club!"
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