May
Aboutaleb

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

We spend most of our time indoors and creating inspirational spaces that accommodate people’s needs was intriguing to me. A building’s interior can be utilised in many ways. Over time a space can accommodate several tenants while serving their needs and requirements in different ways. This history enriches the building and makes it very interesting to work on.

Knowing the course I wanted to pursue I researched my university options and was drawn to NTU through positive feedback from previous alumnus. What stood out to me in the Interior Architecture and Design course on the NTU website was how it was taught through research and essay writing, conceptual thinking through the studio module, presentation skills through the communication module and attention to detail through the technical studies module.

What did you think about the course staff? How did they support your learning and university experience?

As students, we were committed and dedicated to our course because of the devotion our tutors displayed in their teachings. They supported our learning experience by creating challenging and exciting projects for us to become better problem solvers and critical thinkers. The supporting system we had from all NTU staff was exemplary, from the moment we become NTU students until this moment as an Alumni after graduation. Furthermore, the assistance we got may be for matters within or outside of the university.

What was your favourite aspect of the course?

One of the most important parts of the Interior Architecture and Design course were pinups. A pinup can happen multiple times during a project, where students would pinup their work on boards and it would be a chance for presentations and discussions between everyone. It was a chance to present, talk about ideas and receive feedback to improve projects. I have noticed enhancement in my presentation performance and document preparation throughout my pinups compared to my very first one.

Tell us a little bit about your career since leaving NTU.

NTU’s networking events encouraged us to meet with potential employers which helped in applying for jobs and going through interviews. I spent time preparing my CV and Portfolio while in my final year and was able to review them with NTU’S employability team. I applied to multiple jobs in different cities until I landed my first job. After graduating, I relocated to another city and started working as an Interior Designer. I have been focused on learning and progressing in the different aspects of the job, which include FF&E knowledge, conceptual thinking and attention to detail as well as team working.

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

You don’t only study, you experience the full student life at NTU.

What has been your career highlight so far? How did what you learnt at NTU help you get there?

Receiving the Chartered Society of Designers CEP Student Prize for Interior Architecture and Design was one of the highlights of my career so far. I received this prize after my graduation from NTU for my work and was very excited to be part of the Society. The course is a steady progress from year 1 through to final year. Gaining this knowledge and with the support of my tutors, this process and development with the course helped me put together my final year portfolio. The attention to detail with every document created and submitted was crucial, which taught to be precise and detailed with what I am presenting.

What is your biggest piece of advice to current students and those graduating this year?

Taking short breaks regularly will be a positive in the long term. Most projects last for weeks at a time, which can cause burnout to students if not well rested. I found that some days I was not able to do or think about my tasks due to burning myself out and never taking breaks. Eventually when I started to do so, I was able to disconnect at times and come back with more energy. Therefore, taking breaks and enjoying your time with fun activities will benefit you in the long term.