2013 - 2013 / Technische Universität Darmstadt

The third semester of my Masters at IDC, IIT Bombay, was strategically designed to propel us beyond theory and into real-world application. Industry exposure was a core requirement, a chance to leverage our learnings to tackle tangible problems. I saw this not just as an obligation, but as a vital opportunity to make a real-world impact.

Driven by this, I successfully navigated the selection process to secure an internship at the esteemed Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft (IAD) at TU Darmstadt in Germany. This meant relocating for approximately three months, a commitment I embraced wholeheartedly, recognizing the immense potential for growth and contribution.

Upon arriving at TU Darmstadt, the internship was structured to maximize learning and impact. A primary project was already in place, offering a focused opportunity to apply my interaction design skills. Beyond this, I was also integrated into the broader spectrum of research and development happening at IAD, providing exposure to diverse challenges and innovative solutions.

As an Interaction Designer (Intern), I was directly involved in a significant initiative: redesigning the workspace of researchers at IAD. This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about understanding their workflows, pain points, and aspirations to create a more productive, efficient, and user-centric environment. By applying contextual inquiry and user-centered design principles, our goal was to innovate the very spaces where cutting-edge research took place.

Furthermore, the internship team, comprising myself and three other talented individuals from IIT Bombay, functioned as Interaction Design Consultants across multiple IAD projects. This provided a unique platform to contribute our perspectives and expertise to a variety of real-world challenges, amplifying our collective impact.

A key aspect of our process involved Design Workshops. These weren't just brainstorming sessions; they were carefully orchestrated engagements designed to deeply understand stakeholder needs and gather critical requirements for the various projects we consulted on. This collaborative approach ensured that our design recommendations were grounded in real-world context and had the highest potential for successful implementation.

My direct contributions during this impactful internship included:

Switch for Creating Flexible Workspaces: This project aimed to revolutionize how researchers could adapt their physical environment to different tasks and collaborations. By designing a flexible and intuitive system, we sought to enhance productivity and foster a more dynamic research atmosphere.
Design Recommendations for Proreta: I contributed to providing design expertise for Proreta, likely a significant project or tool within IAD. Our recommendations focused on improving usability, efficiency, and overall user experience, directly impacting the effectiveness of this initiative.
Mechanisms for Safety of Railway Linemen: This project presented a unique and critical challenge. By applying interaction design principles, we explored innovative mechanisms to enhance the safety of railway linemen, directly addressing a high-stakes real-world problem with the potential to save lives and prevent injuries.
My internship at TU Darmstadt was far more than just fulfilling a program requirement. It was an immersive experience where I actively contributed to solving real-world problems, applying innovative design thinking, and witnessing the tangible impact of user-centered solutions in a new cultural and professional context.