IBDA 2022
A mentorship-based approach to design portfolio building, led by industry professionals. Skip the cookie-cutter templates and craft a portfolio that represents your skills and interests as a designer, while building your network and experiencing the design studio culture at NOCT, Panchgani!
Registration Deadline
9 January, 2023
Course starts on
22 Jan, 2023
Course Duration
1 + 3 weeks
1 week intensive learning in person and 4 virtual mentorship sessions
In-person location
NOCT Studio, Panchgani
The skills to build a portfolio based on your individual skills and strengths, that embodies your aesthetic and sensibilities.
On-the-job skills that will serve you when you join the workforce - communication, decision-making, planning, scheduling, teamwork, and much more.
Guidance and advice by experienced industry practitioners and mentors throughout the process.
Intimate batch size to ensure that each student receives personal attention from the mentors.
An opportunity to build connections with like-minded individuals from the industry- your peers, mentors, and other designers at the NOCT Studio.
Interview preparation and mock hiring call to prepare you for every situation.
Staying amidst nature in picturesque Panchgani, you will be surrounded by inspiration!
A first-hand introduction to the nitty gritty of design culture, work, and life.
In-person learning in Panchgani
In the first week, you will meet their mentors, experience the NOCT studio, learn about what makes a good portfolio, understand the industry hiring process, and start building your portfolio in the serene landscape of Panchgani.
Check in to your accommodation and settle into Panchgani. Meet your peers and mentors.
The course begins with a studio tour, a round of introductions, a look into the NOCT hiring process, and an interaction session with designers across various roles and organisations around India.
Understand how companies hire designers. Learn what makes a good designer and a portfolio that stands out with the help of mentor and peer feedback.
Work on narrative building and telling the story of your work focussed on the type of audience you are targeting.
Learn how to apply and enhance your visual design knowledge and about the skills beyond design that you need to be able to put your best self forward in the industry.
1:1 sessions for career guidance and advice from NOCT senior designers and design managers.
Begin your day by exploring Panchgani on a beautiful hike. Later, present your week’s work and get feedback and ideas from all your peers and mentors. We will conclude the Panchgani visit with a team dinner and party. Attendees will return to their home/city the following day.
Virtual Mentorship
After the first week’s learnings and in-studio sessions in Panchgani, you will return to your home city to work on your portfolios individually. Weekly progress sessions will be scheduled with your mentor, and you will continue to have access to NOCT’s resources and libraries.
Mock Interview and closing
At the end of Week 4, mock interviews will be conducted where the students will present their work to the the NOCT hiring team. After completion, an additional mentor session can be scheduled before your first job interview for a quick review and a pep talk if you need one. :)
Introductory course fee
*excluding accommodation and meals
- OR -
all inclusive
Hurry, only 0 seats available!
1 week intensive in-person learning and 1:1 mentorship with senior designers, managers, and founders at the NOCT Studio, Panchgani.
3 weeks of online weekly 1:1 sessions with your personal mentor
Mock interviews, career guidance, real-world insights to steer you in the right direction, and a job interview mentoring session prior to your first interview
Accommodation, meals, and snacks for the week that you will be in Panchgani at an additional cost.
Access to handpicked resources and comprehensive material selected by working creatives.
Yes! Stand out from the crowd by learning how to cater to the needs of the hiring manager. You will also gain insight into what your life as a designer might be like, and build valuable soft skills for your career.
Definitely! Get exposure to the views of multiple designers- peers, mentors, and designers at the studio. Learn from the team and build life-long connections with the people in the industry.
Yes! Adapt your portfolio to your goals and take the first steps to get to where you want to be.
Probably not, this is a mentorship program geared towards helping young designers find their identity and voice, and learn about the practical requirements of the industry. However, we have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline that we would love to have you join us for! Keep an eye on our social media channels for announcements :)
Unfortunately not, this course helps build a portfolio with projects you’ve already done. You will require at least 3 existing projects and a basic understanding of the tool you want to use to be able to get the best out of your 4 weeks with the NOCT team. However, we have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline that we would love to have you join us for! Keep an eye on our social media channels for new announcements :)
This course might not be relevant to you as it is meant to get you ready for the industry. We want to be able to share the tools of the trade that we have perfected over the years and are confident about. And unfortunately, this is not our field of expertise. :(
We want to know more about you and your work. Submit minimum 3 documented projects that you want to put in your portfolio or a WIP portfolio. We will not be able to process your application otherwise.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to understand how we can help you in your design journey.
Selected candidates will receive an email confirmation. Your spot will be confirmed once the payment is completed.
After an online orientation for all attendees, you start packing your bags to come to Panchgani!
(Available at an additional cost)
If you opt for the NOCT accommodation, you will stay in an apartment with a view of the valley just 5 minutes away from the studio on foot. The bedrooms will be either single or double sharing based on availability. All meals and snacks will be provided by us, but in case you want to cook up a midnight snack, there is a kitchen with basic cooking amenities in the apartment.
Every year, we get thousands of applications from prospective job seekers and designers, and the one thing we noticed is how similar they all are. Following similar templates, these portfolios do not stand out as belonging to keen, creative individuals. Even the most talented creatives that we’d met, had fallen into this trap. Thus, we decided to help students, jobseekers and designers craft portfolios that stand out as a truly authentic representations of their skill and craft. Making sure your portfolios are relevant in the industry and appeal to hiring managers.
