A Product Design student on having his concept integrated into the Realme P4 Power

The Realme Designathon began in June, when I was busy with my final-year jury preparations at Pearl Academy. Between finishing my graduation project, meeting deadlines, and preparing for the jury, participating in a national design contest was not something I had planned. When Realme visited the campus to announce the Designathon, I almost let the opportunity pass. But my mentor Divya Saxena, Product Design professor, encouraged me to apply.

Early stage

The competition was structured in three stages, and each stage pushed my thinking further. In the initial stage, I focused on understanding the brief and responding instinctively rather than over-analysing. As a student of Product Design, I had been trained to value process, observation, and context, and I leaned heavily on that learning. I began by observing how people of my age interact with their smartphones, not just as devices but as personal objects that are constantly present in their daily lives.

Instead of starting with references or trends, I spent time sketching freely. I was more interested in how a design felt rather than how impressive it appeared. While sketching, I noticed how people my age and younger than me often exhibit different traits. We are drawn to advanced technology but also appreciate simplicity. We like expression, yet value restraint. This idea of contrast slowly became central to my design direction.

Clearing the first stage itself felt unexpected. As I moved into the second stage, the pressure increased. Balancing academic responsibilities with the Designathon was challenging, but it also forced me to become more disciplined with my time and ideas. During this stage, my concept began to take clearer shape. I realised that a design does not need to explain everything immediately. Sometimes, it only needs to invite curiosity and connection.

Deeper engagement

The final stage involved deeper engagement with the Realme design team and was particularly eye-opening. My ideas were reviewed in detail and I received structured feedback that pushed me to think beyond sketches. I was introduced to real-world considerations such as feasibility, usability, and scalability. Some elements of my design had to be refined or rethought, but the core idea remained intact. What stood out was how collaborative the process felt. Feedback was not about correction but about strengthening the idea.

Clearing all three stages of the Designathon felt surreal. As a student nearing graduation, it was difficult to believe that an idea developed alongside my jury work had made it through every round. More than the outcome, the journey itself became the most valuable part of the experience.

The Designathon taught me important lessons about design and about myself. I learned that instinct and structure are not opposites, but partners. I understood the importance of being open to feedback while staying true to an idea. Most importantly, the experience helped me trust my perspective as a young designer.

Participating in this challenge changed how I approach design today. It reminded me that growth often comes from taking chances, even during uncertain moments. Sometimes, all it takes is saying yes to an opportunity you almost missed… it really feels like a dream.

The writer is a final-year student of Product Design, Pearl Academy, Mumbai Campus