My name is Leela, that’s what everyone calls me but my full name is Sanskruti Leela. I am in my senior year studying Interior Design. Being from Mumbai, India western culture was very new to me. Likes and dislikes in terms of culture, values, and design itself gave me a new insight into the world. I was always a traditional artist that had a fine interest in oil paintings and watercolors. Modern Art has yet not swept through India, therefore, visiting museums here is so amusing yet delightful. This fusion of traditional styles and modern designs brings a unique touch to my projects. I always look for more curves than straight lines and eye-catching colors than neutral pallets.

My projects since the first semester have mostly focused on communication and space utilization. I put forth this work with curves and organic shapes as mentioned before. As an interior designer, I get the opportunity to create spaces (commercial, residential, entertainment, and leisure) for an individual or a community. This puts great value to what we do as space needs to cater to every being and their liking and disliking. Therefore it is important to me that I use design concepts that do not please a certain group but everyone who will or is using the space.

Alongside providing a functional space, aesthetics is mandatory. No one likes entering an area that doesn’t appeal and is dull. This is where my traditional art skills come to play. Having good knowledge of colors and their visualization helps me come up with materials that not only appeal but sooth the crowd. Accompanying the colours I always try bring in natural light into space by creating angled windows and skylights. The space naturally lights up enhancing the space and colours. Bringing in nature and the outside world into the space establishes a connection between “the outside and the inside.” Besides that, it creates a great aesthetic value. 

Brainstorming and doodling are key when it comes to coming up with design concepts. These are one of my first steps before I build around the idea. This helps my ideas flow and come up with newer and better ones. Usually a pen and paper do the job but i trying using different medias such as digital platforms (Adobe, Auto CAD, Rhino) to generate new ideas. After finalizing my project making it into a scale model with wood, paper and wires always give a fresh perspective to the project. The technology of laser printing is helping us designers display professional work.

Interior Designing is not only making a space look appealing but providing comfort and functionality for the people. Personally, a space (room) really defines my mood. May it be lighting, furniture, function or even the people around. It has a great impact on my mood and behavior. After studying Interior design for about three years now i have come to the realization that this feeling lingers on every mind who uses the space. This gives me an opportunity to make a space happier and pleasant for others.

The key to catering to an audience is user research. There are so many communities and types of people that use the space. User Analysis is one of the most important research that we as interior designers need to pay attention on. Research doesn’t stop just at the user market but also stakeholders that surround this project. It starts with researching the space and the surroundings, then the people who will use it, your partners, the government, shareholders and a lot more. This is where research supports us to create a design.

I am looking forward to becoming a full-time Interior Designer. Making a space joyful for others is what makes me happy. I plan to work for a firm or a corporation before starting my own business. It will guide me how this industry works and what are the key aspects for it before creating my own business.

Fire Pit- Hudson Yard

For the cold weather in New York. Concrete tiling to trap in heat and keep the surroundings warm.

Performance Theatre

Designed for public speakers. Materials are chosen to keep in mind auditory and visual factors.

Health Care Design- Therapy center

Designed for the community that needs mental and physical support.

Indoor Potato Farming- Axonometric View

Exploded view of the indoor potato farm that uses the technology of hydroponics to grow the vegetable.

Screen- Space Divider

Wall screen that was inspired by the branches of broccoli. Each branch is angled to make the screen stand by itself.