Harinad is from India and is currently in his final year of MA design for industry 5.0 at Central Saint Martins.
Why did you choose to study MA Design for Industry 5.0 (MADI) and why Central Saint Martins (CSM)? I chose to study this course because of my passion for socially impactful and sustainable design. During my final year undergraduate project, I worked on a neonatal care device, which involved visiting hospitals across different sectors in India. Unlike in the UK, the healthcare system in India is quite diverse—while private hospitals offer better facilities and care, public hospitals often lack essential resources. This disparity made me reflect on how, as a designer, I could contribute to society by making design more accessible and affordable.
My journey through MADI and life in London further reinforced the importance of sustainability in product design. Central Saint Martins stands out for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach, which aligns with my goal of creating sustainable, socially impactful solutions. The opportunity to collaborate, experiment, and refine my design philosophy within such a dynamic environment makes CSM the ideal place for me to grow as a designer.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on? My current project is one of the most interesting I have worked on so far—developing a wheelchair for spinal cord injury users. The project’s potential lies in its balance between human-centered and planet-centered design, integrating new technologies with the human body to create a truly impactful and valuable product. The facilities at CSM have played a crucial role in helping me visualise, prototype, and bring ideas to life, making the design process more immersive and effective.
Have you completed any work placements or internships during the course? During my first year, along with my friend Yash (Founder of Ecolattice) and a Material Futures graduate from CSM, I started working on Ecolattice, where we developed smart foams. As a startup, we had the opportunity to showcase our material and project at the London Design Festival, Birmingham Show, and Surface Design Show. We are also part of UAL's Greenhouse Incubation Programme. My primary role at Ecolattice focuses on product development, ensuring that our innovations translate into impactful and sustainable solutions.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course? If you are passionate and self-driven, MA Design for Industry 5.0 and CSM can guide you to career vision.
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years' time? I like making products, but I love creating impactful products with a team. Whether as an industrial designer, entrepreneur, or freelancer, my goal is to develop products that are socially, economically, and sustainably impactful, making a meaningful difference in people's lives and the environment.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned on the course so far? How to position ourselves as an individual and professional in the industry.
View Harinad's work on his website