Bhagyashree is from Kalyan, India, and is a student on MA Communicating Complexity at Central Saint Martins.
Why did you choose to study your course and why Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
My industry experience made me reflect on whether I was truly using my abilities to their fullest, especially when it comes to pushing the boundaries of visual design beyond the ordinary. I want to be able to use my skills and thinking for deeper, more challenging areas that need urgent attention. While looking for an opportunity that bridges the gap between analytical thinking and visual communication design, I came across MA Communicating Complexity. It genuinely felt like this course was designed with my goals in mind. Open events confirmed that it was the right choice, so I went for it.
What’s the most interesting part of the curriculum so far?
Communicating intricate challenges through visual design is not a common practice I have observed. So far, this course strongly focuses on a variety of methodologies that can be used to decode wicked problems. We all know that complex issues exist. However, this course teaches you to critically analyse your role as a designer by engaging with the content hands-on. The most interesting aspect is its industry examples, showing real-world applications. I'm also really impressed by my course community - they're highly encouraging and interactive. This has added a lot of value to my growth during the course.
How has the low-residency delivery mode supported your studies and career goals?
Attending the course without having to relocate was essential for me. I also didn’t want to stop working alongside my studies, even if it meant working in some capacity. This course allows you all of that. Studying for the course is asynchronous. It heavily leans towards self-directed study, with a healthy balance of brilliant content provided to analyse in your own time. Meeting online as a class requires minimal time and helps tremendously in making sense of what we're learning.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
If you're someone whose goals align with the course’s focus on using visual methods to unfold complex issues, this can be both an exciting and rewarding experience.
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
During my residential visit to CSM, I was blown away by the people I met and the library. I had meaningful experiences through workshops and engaging conversations. Getting a glimpse of the CSM culture was exciting. UAL also offers a wide range of online workshops that are relevant to how I'd like to expand my practice. I rarely get worried about ‘missing out’ while studying from another country.
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
I’ve learnt that tackling complexity isn’t always about finding a final solution - it’s often about gradually improving existing conditions, one step at a time. That insight has completely shifted my perspective.
View Bhagyashree's Behance to see more of her work.