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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTRODUCTION
It gives me great pleasure to see yet another group of fresh designers presenting the results of their education and talent at Reveal 2015. This year Reveal is being housed as part of Sri Lanka Design Festival, offering our graduates a place amongst industry leaders from Sri Lanka’s largest industries, businesses and exports, and really give them an opportunity to be part of the hub of design and business activity. Apart from this, it’s great to have our students, parents, family and friends as proud viewers and the general public as visitors all looking through the talent that the platform Reveal has grown to become for young design talent. Right now, we’re within a very important phase of AOD’s mission where we are dedicated to set a favourable context for our design graduates to work in; this means that AOD is working towards communicating the reality of design careers to our society and helping them understand that with the enormous demand for design today, it is a sector that presents respected, stable and financially lucrative careers for our youth. Reveal is one of the most important events of our calendar where this mission is exemplified in all areas; it’s where Sri Lanka’s leaders from various industries like apparel, advertising, interior architecture, and even key exports like tea, recognise design talent that can elevate their business to the next level. It is where most of our graduates meet their future employers. and get to showcase their work to the general public. So, on this all important event Reveal, I would like to congratulate AOD’s graduating class of 2015 for their debut as young designers in the presence of an influential audience including some of the most eminent industry leaders of our times. To all our visitors, I welcome you to AOD’s Reveal and ask you to look closely at the work done by these emerging designers and understand how they are connected to our lives and realise how important design is to us all.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTRODUCTION
LINDA SPELDEWINDE FOUNDER / MANAGING DIRECTOR AOD INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CAMPUS
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTRODUCTION
KAREN MACLEOD PRINCIPAL – AOD INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CAMPUS It is my great pleasure to introduce the graduating class of designers for 2015 at Reveal. This group of young designers from the BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile design, Graphic design, and Interior design are joining a growing creative sector that is now the most cutting-edge value addition for all major industries. I believe AOD/Northumbria graduates are at a special advantage to seize the opportunities of this much-needed design sector. Firstly, by combining the expertise AOD faculty members who are from the international design sphere with the award-winning Northumbria UK curriculum, worldwide. Secondly, AOD’s own distinctive approach to design education which includes sustainable design, ethical business practices, and cultural and heritage awareness has helped our graduates stand out as designers anywhere in the world. With this education as an exceptionally sturdy foundation, the AOD graduates are presenting something remarkable at Reveal 2015. It is very heartening for me to see the transformation that each of these talented graduates have undergone in their time at AOD, both on a personal level and on a professional level with the guidance of our international faculty. With this new generation of Sri Lankan designers the future for Sri Lankan design looks bright and I’m proud to be part of this future through AOD.
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AOD International Design Campus and Northumbria University UK share a similar vision for design education; a vision built on seeing the essential role of design and innovation in building a sustainable world. This common vision is what has allowed our partnership to flourish and the education we jointly deliver to bring forward great things. I believe this is evident from the many outstanding achievements by Northumbria students at AOD. 2015 has been a particularly good year with AOD/ Northumbria student capabilities being recognized with Sri Lanka’s second ISTD award win, representation at Graduate Fashion Week London, and a graduate project being featured in the renowned publication Communication Arts. This continuing string of successes recognised by the world is what assures us that the Northumbria/AOD partnership is making the ‘design difference’ that we wish to see through our education. Congratulations Northumbria University Class of 2015 at AOD, you are now part of a unique design community in Sri Lanka. I wish you all the best of luck and trust you will continue to make us proud with what you do out there as professional designers.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTRODUCTION
PROF. STEVEN KYFFIN EXECUTIVE DEAN – FACULTY OF THE ARTS & DESIGN NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
FASHION
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
KAT SCOTT Fashion Design - Head of Department The fashion team at AOD extends our congratulations to our colourful, vibrant graduating cohort of 2016. In these final year collections and portfolio work you will see work encompassing Menswear, Womenswear and Textiles. In 2015, our department continues to thrive and expand and we are proud to positions ourselves in a unique standing. Sri Lanka’s successful garment industry fuels and drives the design process and outcomes of student standards and equivalently our project collaborations and our alumni fuel the industry. It is this iterative process that is helping build a unique, innovative and reciprocal relationship. This year, our industry collaborations were in abundance and students were fortunate enough to collaborate with experts from many fields. We thank Colour Zone, Orient, George, NEXT, E. A. M. Maliban Textiles, Anim8, MAS Intimates, MAS Active Nirmaana, MAS Fabrics, Thomas Kershaw Lanka, Coats, Linea Aqua, Orit and MRC for their expertise and support. During three years at AOD students are exposed to ‘live’ projects and collaborations, developing a diverse range of designed and manufactured product areas ranging from Sportswear, Swimwear, Lingerie, Jeans, to Jersey for international brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Speedo, Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch. Uniquely, AOD fashion students not only understand and appreciate the preservation of heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability in design; they also recognize how these ideas and ideals can be applicable and contemporized for an international market. With each year that passes, we see a stronger and more developed aesthetic and with the ever- evolving role of a fashion designer, we equip students with the skills necessary to enter the demanding fashion industry, creating highly employable young professionals. And so, we introduce to you, the next batch of creative visionaries, ready to take on the design world. Batch of 2015; here is ‘the big, wide world’ we prepared you all for, we wish you the best of luck in your future careers and we are all very proud.
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CHANDUKA GALLEARACHI
CHANDULI SENANAYAKE
DEEMA RUPASINGHE
pg. 8
pg. 8
pg. 9
pg. 9
DHAKSHAYINI JAYARAJAH
ERIKA BALASURIYA
GANISHA DE SILVA
INDEEVARI EDIRISINGHE
pg. 10
pg. 10
pg. 11
pg. 11
KALPANI NANDARATHNE
NILAKSHI GAMAGE
MICHELLE JAYATUNGA
MEKHALA GUNASENA
pg. 12
pg. 12
pg. 13
pg. 13
NILUSHI DE COSTA
SENURIKA DE SILVA
SHENAL MARASINGHE
SHYAMEENDRI WETTASINGHE
pg. 14
pg. 14
pg. 15
pg. 15
THARUSHI DABARE
THRILAKSHI DIVAKARA
THULANGA GUNAWARDENA
WATHMI HASARA
pg. 16
pg. 16
pg. 17
pg. 17
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
AMESH WIJESEKERA
AMESH WIJESEKERA amesh.wijesekera@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
I believe that the power of change and its irony is what creates society and design. My design philosophy is to merge the physical and the emotional, creating a connection between the garment and its wearer. Bold minimal expression is the key to my design aesthetic and philosophy, as I develop my thought process and narrative; I begin to explore minimal exaggerated shapes and forms with sophisticated innovative 3-dimensional textile combinations and detail. The elements of design play a fantastic role in bringing my ideas to life. Boundaries are for the conventional. Breaking them opens up an array of possibilities and I like to look at design with no limitations. Clothing has no gender, giving the wearer a new definition of being undefined. Making the wearer unique, sophisticated, strong and independent.
CHANDUKA GALLEARACHI chanduka.gallearachchi@aod.lk When I start my projects I travel through my experiences and surroundings to understand my customer’s lifestyle. My final collection of womenswear is for the Spring/summer 2016 season. The story behind this collection is a biker woman touring in Egypt. The collection is inspired by the look of the biker woman and her characteristics and from her explorations during her tour in Egypt. The collection is specially designed for dynamic, trendy, and stylish individuals. It includes an extensive selection of jackets, denim jeans, shirts, t-shirts, tops, skirts and dresses. I have used techniques like acid wash, towel wash, denim spray, and bleach.
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CHANDULI SENANAYAKE chanduli.senanayake@aod.lk
DEEMA RUPASINGHE deema.rupasinghe@aod.lk Expressing my thoughts, views, and feelings through art was my childhood habit. Fashion design has given me another opportunity to expand this habit of mine. Through my final collection I wanted to merge 1920’s active wear along with inspirational art and craft of Bauhaus to modern designs. I used high-tech manufacturing techniques to add an extra dimension to my final collection titled D’Aqua Active. The aim of this collection is for women to feel powerful, active yet feminine. My designs are minimalistic but detailed to highlight the elegance. My vision is to create minimalistic designs in a very unique approach.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
As a designer even though inspiration can be found almost anywhere and from anything, in depth research of the theme or concept helps with experimentation and innovation. As I am interested in textiles and prints, for my final project I wanted to show more of my personality through my designs. For this, I decided to combine pop art, the 1960’s and the palace of Versailles as the backbone for my concept. With the upbeat colour combinations and ways to apply ideas from Versailles into prints, I set to achieve a bold, fun, and casual but contemporary look for my collection.
DHAKSHAYINI JAYARAJAH dhakshayini.jayarajah@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
Design is a very unique way of expressing an individual’s style; it is a way of combining the mind and soul that shows the inner and outer self of every individual. As a designer I consider myself to be a visionary person, because I seek inspiration through different cultures and eras and find a contemporary way to incorporate it to my personal style in fashion. My designs lean towards clean and chic silhouettes. I also support and promote the craftsmanship of local artisans by practicing ethical and sustainable forms of textile methods like handloom and batik. I also hope that I take forth this practice in every project I undertake in future.
ERIKA BALASURIYA erika.balasooriya@aod.lk As a fashion designer I have always been fascinated by how fashion expresses individual style and how the different combinations of fabrics, color and print is unique to representing your outer self. By the way people dress, you can see what kind of personalities they have. The simple ideas are what got me involved in fashion. This is why I take something common and twist it in my own style and create a unique language through my designs.
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GANISHA DE SILVA harshani.desilva@aod.lk
INDEEVARI EDIRISINGHE indeevari.edirisinghe@aod.lk Fashion gives an individual the power of creating various expressions that allows one to define and set them apart from the rest. My personal take on fashion is that it should be both contemporary and casual, and when designing I am inspired by different moments in time. I keep my designs minimal and clean, complimenting them with unusual colour coordination and quality fabric. I give meaning to my designs and bring them to life with the use of conventional tailoring techniques and by following the latest trends for a modern twist, making my garments fit to be worn anywhere at any time.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
It’s the little details that will ensure that you are remembered. I separate myself from the crowd by paying attention to simple details and the finishing inside the garments. Although being a skillful fashion designer is my prior aspiration, correspondingly my intent is crafting value to our own unique culture. A designer becomes unique when he or she follows a different movement for their own designs.
KALPANI NANDARATHNE kalpani.nandarathne@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
Inspiration that comes from within and transforms the ordinary to the extra ordinary is worth recognition and is reborn through many generations. I choose to express emotions from moments in history through my designs, seeing it as my contribution in keeping them alive. My designs are very masculine and perfectly fitted. Tailored, bespoke garments are a passion to me. Uniqueness and the love for perfection goes hand in hand when making my designs come to life, bringing out the true inner strength of an independent strong young woman manifested in the translation of emotions.
NILAKSHI GAMAGE nilakshi.gamage@aod.lk In my role as a designer I rely on extensive research in developing new concepts. I prefer contrasting different aspects together to finalize a unique output. My collections contain characteristics of cultures and life styles, which I improve through conceptual thinking to enhance the unusual look of my garments. Through my career in addition to high tech techniques I hope to engage the handloom industry, which will create more job opportunities for the local craft people. As a socially responsible person I want my designs to be sustainable, ecological, and outstanding.
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MICHELLE JAYATUNGA michelle.jayatunga@aod.lk From my earliest days my dreams and life experiences have fuelled my desire for self-expression through the arts and creative design; striving for perfection in everything I do.
MEKHALA GUNASENA sobani.gunasena@aod.lk As a design graduate I am skilled in textile development and techniques with materials such as, embroidery, screen printing, handloom weaving, knitting and crochet, batik and dip dye and developing 2-D prints. I am a regular follower of fashion trends, particularly fabrics & textiles and I am very competent at free hand illustrations and thrive on the design development process. I am creative, understand and enjoy fashion and design, independent, good under pressure, a good communicator, problem-solver and a team player. Fashion illustration, 3-D design, colour theory, textiles and computer-aided design are the areas I am most interested in.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
My design philosophy is to find a balance between making my work both creatively expressive and commercially viable. I draw my inspiration typically from a story, either already written or of my own invention. I believe that each design should be unique and the detailing must bring out individualistic value. That is why I make sure that every stitch, colour, and texture compliments and contributes to the realisation of my concept.
NILUSHI DE COSTA nilushi.decosta@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
I have always been passionate about fashion design and my eagerness for creating feminine, elegant, yet sexy clothing is to pursue a successful career in fashion; an industry I have always loved. My graduate collection strongly expresses my sense of style; I have produced a contemporary, sophisticated, yet feminine line of clothing with beautiful floral prints. Nature fascinates me and I strive to incorporate nature in the form of prints by utilising my strong painting skills.
SENURIKA DE SILVA senurika.desilva@aod.lk Fashion is a statement of expression that enables you to define youself. It can tell a complete stranger everything they need to know about you and your personality. Design is not only my passion, but a way of life. Design helps me visually communicate my talent, creative ability, and skills. I believe that textile techniques add value to my designs. My choice of clothing is elegant with a touch of vibrant colours. The theme 1960’s women’s fashion has been incorporated with geometrical prints and patterns relating to contemporary trends. Silhouettes for my final collection are minimal and clean, with a contemporary style.
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SHENAL MARASINGHE shenal.marasinghe@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
Fashion design has been my ambition since I was very young, as I knew it would provide a wide scope of creative opportunities which would allow to explore the ideas and variations within my capabilities. My attention is always drawn to various cultures and combining these with contemporary trends to develop new designs. My final collection is based on mens outerwear which was inspired by the details of Victorian menswear. The garments were created with the use of various textured fabrics which also gave me an opportunity to use a variety of color combinations.
SHYAMEENDRI WETTASINGHE shyamee.wettesinghe@aod.lk The most important thing in the fashion industry is the DNA of a brand. This is what marketing and stylists also follow to maintain the individuality of a brand. As a designer I want my eye travel to places and to imagine a completely different point of view. I am inspired by nature, cultures, people, music, traditional crafts, historic costumes and art that belongs to different cultures around the globe.
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THARUSHI DABARE tharushi.dabare@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
As a creative designer, fashion to me is the ultimate artistic expression of individual style. I am a passionate and conscientious in achieving my goals, using my artistic vision and marketing intelligence to create pioneering work to proceed in the industry.
THRILAKSHI DIVAKARA thilakshi.divakara@aod.lk As a fashion designer I am interested in contemporary fashion and textile developments such as identifying various print techniques, print developments and print applications. When I start working on a project I focus on understanding colours and a suitable theme in order to create prints. I believe in considering trends and seasonal demand is important, hence I give attention to the commercial side as well . In my final project I decided to design a denim collection that has a feminine touch and added prints according to the selected theme. Experimenting laser techniques was quite challenging but the final outcome was successful. As a designer I look forward in contributing towards the design industry as this has always been my passion.
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THULANGA GUNAWARDENA thulanga.gunawardena@aod.lk “You can find inspiration in everything, and if you can’t, look again.” –Paul Smith
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // FASHION
Art is everywhere, from what you see to a fragment of thought to all forms of experience. My passion is to express this beauty through all elements of a garment; creating thought provoking textile surfaces and experimenting with fabric performances through draping drives me to push boundaries in creating something unique. In the past three years during my degree course I have learned to evolve these elements to a wearable unique garment. My passion for textiles and drapes is reflected in my Final collection titled Lost Innocence.
WATHMI HASARA wathmi.hasara@aod.lk As a fashion designer, I am inspired by different historical backgrounds and personal experiences. As I work on a project I focus on understanding different cultures and their intricate detailing to interpret and provide a contemporary point of view. My designs appear to be clean and minimal; however upon closer observation the intricate detailing and complex pattern making techniques I incorporate can be seen. I use deconstructive paneling and dart manipulations to create new structural designs that are unique. Coming from a family that is skilled and appreciative of Sri Lankan crafts, I have always wanted to stay true to my roots and combine tradition with other forms of construction, to create alternative outcomes.
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GRAPHIC
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
ALAIN PARIZEAU Graphic Design - Head of Department In 1922 William Addison Dwiggins, the director of the Harvard University Press and founder of the Society of Calligraphers in Boston, coined the term “graphic design” to describe the balance of typesetting, illustration and design. A lot has changed since the days of Dwiggins, most notably the platforms on which we communicate. We don’t get our news from the papers anymore; we download or stream it. In Asia alone, the number of people online has gone from 114 thousand to 1.5 million users in the past 5 years. Global communication networks have diversified the graphic design industry, opening new avenues for specialists. The demand for qualified designers in South Asia is now higher than ever. Our degree programme is tailored to suit global issues and designed to teach the necessary skills one must have to find opportunity in new technologies and lead clients to innovation. This graduating class is competitive but has worked together to find better solutions and consult each other for advice. As individuals, they are trained to work autonomously. They have learned how to develop unique and creative solutions to complex problems, and have spent three years developing their craft in our programme. Over time and with dedication, each one has progressed and learned how to manage a professional workload. The transformational growth of each student’s creative thinking and portfolio is remarkable. It is our pleasure to announce that this year’s graduating class has one Roger Hatchuel Academy winner, one International Society of Typographic Designers award, and two Young Spikes Creative Academy winners. The quality and variety of work featured at the 2015 REVEAL illustrates the standards to which we adhere. On behalf of the B.A.(Hons) Graphic Design programme I take this opportunity to congratulate the class of 2015.
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AKILA LAKMAL
DUMINDA HETTIARACHCHI
AADHIL IZATH
pg. 20
pg. 20
pg. 21
pg. 21
INDIKA JAYTILAKE
NATASHA FERNANDO
MARIYAM MIUSA (MOOTHI)
MOHAMED IRUFAN
pg. 22
pg. 22
pg. 23
pg. 23
BANI NEELAWELA
NATASHA TIKIRMALI PERERA
HANNAH PICKERING
GIMHA RAJAPAKSE
pg. 24
pg. 25
pg. 25
pg. 26
DINUSHIKA SILVA
CHIRANTHANA MENDIS
PAVITHRA STEMBO
GAYAN AMARASINGHE
pg. 27
pg. 27
pg. 28
pg. 28
INTHIKHAB ABDUL pg. 29
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
GIMHANI GALAGEDERA
GIMHANI GALAGEDERA gimhani.galagedera@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
A problem is a story that comes with many fill-in-the-blanks. Good design is shaping that story and communicating it in a unique, meaningful and entertaining way to the intended audience. As a designer, a creative, it means striving to find and explore the road less travelled on, to draw things in a different perspective, to be a little crazy. Finding that angle is the designer’s eureka. Whether it’s creating caricatures to highlight serious issues, or using animation to help promote all things traditional; how we tell the tale is what ultimately decides how well we solve the problem.
AKILA LAKMAL akila.lakmal@aod.lk I believe in design framed by culture, tradition and rituals. The remark-ability of design happens according to these factors. I call myself a traditional design philosopher as one of my major duties is to explore Sri Lankan design elements in history, bring them to the present, and make appropriate changes for it to survive in the future. It’s all about spreading your freedom on paper or digital layers. But the important thing is the way you communicate. “By all means break the rules break them beautifully deliberately and well. That is one of ends for which they exist”. -Robert Bringhurst
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Design to me, is not about expression, but about finding. Nothing can be created anew; it’s all hidden waiting to be found. It’s about creating realities through finding new theories, by making rules and breaking rules. It’s how we help people, by observing and understanding them, and implementing that in our work. To be a designer is not to be the richest man in the cemetery, but the one who can go to bed happily thinking ‘I have done something awesome today’. Design is not to learn, but to observe from the greatest creation ever, nature. In the end, what we find does not exist within just ‘me’; it lives on in all of us.
AADHIL IZATH aadhil.izath@aod.lk “With great power comes great responsibility”. -Voltaire From a young age, drawing was an outlet for expressing my creativity and imagination. My fascination for drawing allowed me to explore different artists and techniques. Nature has always inspired my designs; its vibrant colors and shapes became a source of inspiration, which evolved into my passion for all things design. I began to examine objects around me and realized that graphic design was everywhere and could be applied to almost everything. Graphic design became my passion and outlet for creativity. I also believe when you are able to add a hand done quality, which shows the character of a designer it helps convey the message more personally.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
DUMINDA HETTIARACHCHI duminda.hettiarachchi@aod.lk
INDIKA JAYTILAKE asitha.jayatilake@aod.lk As a designer interested in the field of branding and advertising, I am fascinated by the power of design as a tool of communication. The past three years altered my perception of design from being just an aesthetic value addition, to an ineffable form of communication that connects at a personal level. Each project I undertake is an empathetic journey of finding the right visual, the right voice and the right emotion that makes the audience tick.
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
How these designs can evolve from a simple idea to something that can influence thousands still continues to amaze me.
NATASHA FERNANDO natasha.fernando@aod.lk My passion is not creativity. Its not even design. It is very specifically, advertising. Advertising which is like poison gas. Which brings tears to your eyes, unhinges your nervous system, and knocks you out. The story of how I fell in love with advertising, goes back to 2008, includes a wizard, and a cup of coffee. I can still recall the feeling of being knocked off as I saw a ‘magical’ self stirring cup of coffee at ODEL, along with a copy of the then latest Harry Potter book. It was authentic. Remarkable. I wish I could say from that moment, I pursued my passion. But I didn’t. It took me five years, more incidents and a few failures to finally pursue my passion.
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MARIYAM MIUSA (MOOTHI) mariyam.miusa@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
Graphic Design, to me, is the late night WhatsApp text you send your friend because you are beyond delighted at the difference that one tweak made for your design. It is about the million tweaks before that. It is how you attempt to keep your cool while your tutor gives you his “I-am-impressed” nod when you explain your new concept. It is the moment of unexplainable joy you feel when you see the guy at the printer approaching you with your finished project. It is something that constantly pushes me to question societal norms, take risks, and see the beauty in the mundane – to live an extraordinary life.
MOHAMED IRUFAN mohamed.irufan@aod.lk Milton Glaser once said, “There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.” I live to be creative. I love to solve problems and find solutions. For me that is what graphic design is about; the “wow” Milton Glaser is talking about. After 3 years I learned that graphic design is all about playing with the audience’s feelings in a creative manner. Will people love it or will they hate it? It’s depends on the result and what you design. But it’s pleasing to acknowledge that all the possibilities are in your head. It’s just a matter of how well you will use them.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
BANI NEELAWELA bani.neelawela@aod.lk Graphic design is about communicating visually with the world that we live in. Then again there are two sides to this, the good and the bad. It’s worrying to see that design is being used to communicate negativity and spread violence across the globe. So, I’m focused on contributing to overcome this aspect by making the audience realize that the way to move forward is being united, not divided. I draw most of my inspiration from historical events within Sri Lanka and around the world. I think as a designer it is important to understand and appreciate cultures and values as it can open your mind to think wisely, design professionally, and produce good work which can be appreciated and understood by all.
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NATASHA TIKIRMALI PERERA natasha.perera@aod.lk From an early age I found comfort in the arts. After three years of graphic design pupillage, I have shifted from creating things that just please the eye to creating something with value and purpose. My philosophy as a designer is that every experience is part of a learning curve. Like all good things left to age, I believe that the best of me is yet to come.
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
“It is through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to be bad in order to get good” -Paula Scher.
HANNAH PICKERING hannah.pickering@aod.lk What’s the point in drawing a hundred sketches, if the one you used is one of the initial ten? Well, that’s like asking what the point is in testing an engine, or different flavours in a gourmet dish. Testing helps eliminate doubt, and gets us that much closer to a flawless final outcome. I’ve learnt that design is more than just a ‘pretty drawing’. It’s about constantly altering your work to fit client needs, current trends, and challenging yourself to take things further. It’s about failing to design what you want, and more like designing to what the world needs. When you understand that, you become a better designer.
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GIMHA RAJAPAKSE gimha.rajapakse@aod.lk The design eye is both a blessing and a curse. It’s the constant voice in the back of the head and the metaphorical eye twitch that joins together to judge the too close letters on that new signpost. It’s the ability to look into finer detail and understand the power of a simple font change.
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
It’s the skill to create melody without music. With its own rhythm, lilt and harmony, good design burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of drums, the crash of cymbals and demands; look at me– I’m important.
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DINUSHIKA SILVA dinushika.silva@aod.lk As a graphic designer my passion is to strive to enrich a brand by offering effective visual solutions. I have learnt that design is a way of thinking and an opportunity to tell a story. I believe that effective graphic design is the tool to add value to products. I consider it a challenge to give the product the best exposure through creative thinking.
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
I believe that a quality product will gain recognition through branding. My mission is to use modern technology and tools to enhance a product’s value.
CHIRANTHANA MENDIS prageeth.mendis@aod.lk Everyday experiences have always been an incredible driving force for me as a graphic designer and have inspired me to come up with good design solutions. My interpretation of graphic design is connecting with people at a human level using modern craftsmanship. This has helped me push the boundaries of my work, making it successful and insightful with coherent outcomes. However, my end goal is to be a graphic designer in the apparel industry of Sri Lanka and have a challenging career that involves using excellent design skills.
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PAVITHRA STEMBO pavithra.stembo@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
Design should improve the world through harmonious and eternal change. As a designer I take it upon myself to persuade others and work towards a sustainable future. Over the past three years I have felt a need to extend my passion towards environmental friendly design. During my internship, I managed to explore my abilities, by handling the overall store concept and design for the launch of an organic retail store. Taking a step towards the world of design, I would like to establish a proper ethical code as a diligent designer, respectfully being mindful of the environment during each design process.
GAYAN AMARASINGHE gayan.amarasinghe@aod.lk My imagination has always been an incredible driving force in my life, and has a huge influence on almost everything I do. It has always been the most natural and easy way for me to express myself. Live it, breath it, design it; these are the three simple rules which I live by. Life is too short to make things more complicated than this.
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INTHIKHAB ABDUL inthikhab.abdul@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // GRAPHIC
I’ve always been into organic illustrations and fictional creatures; the combination of which can be spectacular. AOD helped me by introducing the idea of graphic design as a tool for story telling. I wanted to take my illustrations further by giving them meaning and purpose. By fueling creativity with a story, you can make change and help someone, even in the smallest of ways. This is my purpose as a designer, to make a difference through the collaboration of art and design, through fiction and nature.
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INTERIOR
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
ANNA MOSANGHINI Interior Design - Head of Department Today’s design graduate is fortunate to live in an exciting time with the Sri Lankan Interior Design industry constantly evolving. Our burgeoning field is just starting to take its first steps in being seen as a viable separate profession, and events such as SLDF (Sri Lanka Design Festival) help provide a platform for the wonderful work that is bring done in the field. The graduates of the class of 2015 will join the previous cohorts in a fast paced world in which opportunity, both personal and professional, abounds. The work being showcased at the graduate exhibition of this class represents a long year’s hard work. The diversity in both design style and research topic stands as a testament to a group of students who are brave, exploratory, daring, and have a clear vision for a better, more inclusive future. These graduates will go on to define the new Sri Lankan style, not as followers of its trends, but as makers of new ones. On behalf of the B.A. (Hons) Interior Design programme, I take this opportunity to congratulate the class of 2015. We wish you the very best in all your future endeavours.
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AQUILA ATTANAYAKE
CHATHURANGA ABEYADEWA
DINALI BABAPULLE
pg. 32
pg. 32
pg. 33
pg. 33
FATHIMA HAMNA KIZAR
DULKI SEETHAWAKA
HARINI DIAS
KAVINDYA DE SILVA
pg. 34
pg. 35
pg. 35
pg. 36
KEERTHIYA PERERA
MARIYAM NAZAAHA
MADARA WICKREMASINGHE
AABIDA RUMAIZA REFAI
pg. 37
pg. 37
pg. 38
pg. 39
SACHINI UDUWELA
SASHINI SAMARANAYAKE
TARENA NAVARETHNE
THESHANI CHANDRASENA
pg. 39
pg. 40
pg. 40
pg. 41
VITHIYA SUBHASRANJAN pg. 41
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
ALAANAH SALLAY
ALAANAH SALLAY alaanah.sallay@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
My passion for art and design came at a very young age. It was a way for me to express myself and be creative. It fascinated me to see where ones imagination can take them, and how that can be translated onto a piece of paper. It is a form of self-expression - to create something aesthetically pleasing as well as functional, which showcases my thoughts and ideas, and allows me to express my individuality.
AQUILA ATTANAYAKE aquila.attanayake@aod.lk For the most part I consider myself a minimalist and an industrialist; a “mindustrialist�, if you will. I believe design, as a whole is a form of conversation, which generates solutions for a more effective and immersive interaction between spaces and its inhabitants. Therefore, as with any conversation, I personally feel it speaks volumes when kept simple, concise and to the point. Be it with regard to form, function or texture, it is a philosophy that I sincerely believe in and follow in all aspects of my designs, interior and otherwise.
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CHATHURANGA ABEYADEWA dushani.abeyadewa@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
As an interior designer I always aim to design plans inspired by nature, culture and the history of my home country Sri Lanka. After understanding my clients’ requirements, I always tend to provide my modern architectural suggestion with a traditional touch. This will help us to step into the modern architectural world while incorporating our unique heritage. I constantly try to come up with environmental friendly designs to maintain sustainable cohabitation of the natural environment with the modern world. By my own design, I am hoping to take traditional arts to a global market.
DINALI BABAPULLE dinali.babapulle@aod.lk “Everything you can imagine is real.” –Pablo Picasso I strive to pursue the goal of being an inspirational designer, learning through every experience and aiming towards perfection. I wish to create spaces that will one day make an impact in society; I hope to better understand all client needs and provide the user with conceptual, abstract spaces that capture our hearts with memories that will last a lifetime. With the use of my skill set I hope to push myself forward and explore all angles of design by traveling around the globe and understanding various cultures and bringing them forward to create spaces that will inspire various lifestyles.
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FATHIMA HAMNA KIZAR hamna.kizar@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
As an interior designer my aim is to create living environments that are visually and psychologically appealing. I believe built environments play an important role in every life, be it humans or nature. As an individual who’s constantly inspired by various cultures and lifestyles, creating multifunctional spaces that cater to the entire community has been my passion throughout my educational life. Having applied this concept to my graduate project, I further intend to elevate the level of societal thinking by altering their perception through my future design projects.
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DULKI SEETHWAKA dulki.seethawaka@oad.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
As a designer, I am completely dedicated towards creating the dreams of the customers into reality while ensuring I fulfil the greater responsibilities I hold towards the environment and society. My design philosophy is combining intellectual expertise with detailed craftsmanship skills. My strengths as a designer are hand illustrations, willing to take up any challenge, and the capability to work under pressure.
HARINI DIAS harini.dias@aod.lk A designer is an individual who combines the client’s needs and wants with a corresponding concept in a way that the final outcome designed is trendy, functional, and comforting to the client. As a designer my desire is to apply design to areas that aren’t given the attention they require. Understanding the needs of the client is the most important feature of a designer. Using my interpersonal communication skills, I always make sure the client understands my design, and that their expectations are met in one way or another.
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KAVINDYA DE SILVA kavindya.deSilva@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
Seeking to be an individual who is capable to provide the subtle pleasures of the atmosphere within a space led me to create designs that connect to the people of hospitality and set design. Linking an architectural structure with design and technology has caught my interest over the years. It has helped me deal with the psychology and culture of various types of demography. I aim to provide comforting spaces to users such that it enhances their lives. As seen in my graduate project minimalistic design has been my passion.
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KEERTHIYA PERERA keerthiya.perera@aod.lk As a philanthropist, my knowledge and experience in education and design has developed into a design philosophy of addressing social issues. When I design a space, the main objective is to tackle deep issues affecting the society. Uplifting the desired community and improving the living standards of society is what I aspire to do within the industry.
Having applied this concept to my graduate project, I designed a temporary emergency shelter that encourages the recovery of the refugees.
MARIYAM NAZAAHA mariyam.nazaaha@aod.lk My inspiration and motivation are human beings. Our individuality and complexity makes me think deeper on how we move around within a specific space by adapting to its interior elements. Therefore the connection we create with one another further enhances our personal traits. I believe in Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe’s quote “less is more”, as it creates a carefree atmosphere through its minimalistic design. As a result, it was a combination of human nature and minimal design aesthetics that lead me to design a cultural interactive space for my graduate project.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
“A house is not just a shelter, it should lift us emotionally and spiritually.” –John Saladimo.
MADARA WICKREMASINGHE madara.wickremasinghe@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
Reflecting on my design persona as a whole, I have always valued diversity and have attempted to create spaces that strive to change the perspectives of people by being ‘interesting’ more so than being ‘good’. In relation, I enjoy trying new techniques and mixing them with things that I love, be it craft, science, or storytelling in order to create hybrid designs that focuses on Interiors but simultaneously incorporates different design experiences. As a result, I am particularly interested in handling spatial design projects such as interior installations that inputs varied design fields while heavily emphasizing conceptual thinking.
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AABIDA RUMAIZA REFAI rumaiza.refai@aod.lk The field of arts has helped me express my thoughts and experiences through design. As an individual who enjoys travel, I believe design is not about searching for beautiful spaces; instead it is about making the spaces you discover look beautiful. As much as aesthetics within a space play a vital role within a design, it is equally important that they are designed with a strong concept.
SACHINI UDUWELA sachini.uduwela@aod.lk To me interior design as a practice revolves around the demographic it caters to, which is why as a designer I strive to appreciate the individual needs of each demographic. I aspire to design spaces that are aesthetically pleasing while being both functional and innovative, which I personally believe affects the populace using the space in both a psychological and physiological way. I also believe that as a designer it is my job to inspire and mystify people with the spaces I design, while catering to their individual requirements.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
My aim is to further expand and develop strong designs within the industry such that they’ll be well known for their concepts along with their functional details.
SASHINI SAMARANAYAKE sashini.samaranayake@aod.lk As a designer and a photographer I seek inspiration from my day to day life and personal experiences because I believe all things have the ability to improve and alter with time. With an open mind I try to understand the client’s wants and needs in order to create a unique and memorable environment each time.
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
Interior design is not only about shapes, form and colour you are creating a story through design, creating an identity, and an experience. This is what I’m passionate about, to be able to create something so powerful that you have the ability to change a person’s reality.
TARENA NAVARETHNE tarena.navaratne@aod.lk My philosophy is to design with purpose and give a voice to the elements that come together to form a space. To work with your mind and heart is to become a better designer and in composing visual anecdotes that are both classical and curious you open up a world of new possibilities. To be able to use color, light and texture in order to set a mood or create an ambiance that is unforgettable is the true essence of design. A true designer is able to take risks in order to make a dream a reality.
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THESHANI CHANDRASENA theshani.chandrasena@aod.lk
AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // INTERIOR
I have always been interested in interior design as I enjoy coming up with new ideas and following new trends, which can be eye catching and bit different to the norm. I’m a creative person but also very organized and take pride in my work. My creativity and natural curiosity push boundaries, reflecting my innovative style to produce substantial, effective and striking designs.
VITHIYA SUBHASRANJAN vithya.subhasranjan@aod.lk I’m a person who doesn’t necessarily have everything when I’m the happiest but I make the most of everything that comes my way. I do things only if I solemnly like it and designing is something that I relish the most. I used to be the kid who thinks out of the box and that have moulded the innovative part of me. I’m more of a conceptual designer with function following form. Like all human beings I have my strengths and weaknesses and sketching is my biggest strength. Yet I can sense an implicit acknowledgement that I have a talent that no one else possesses.
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AOD GRADUATE SHOW 2015 // CREDITS
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