I studied Visual Communication at École Intuit Lab, Kolkata, where I completed my bachelor’s in design. Looking back, college played a big role in preparing me for the kind of pressure you face during internships. We were constantly given rigorous briefs under tight deadlines, and during project weeks, we were critiqued by industry professionals. That experience helped me understand what to expect and how to handle pressure in a more real-world setting.
But honestly, most of my guidance didn’t come from structured college support. It came from the people I was surrounded by. I had the chance to study with some exceptionally talented classmates, and the feedback we gave each other was often way harsher than what any professor would say. Whether it was about the quality of work, the kind of studios to look for, or just improving an idea, those conversations shaped my approach a lot.
When it came to applying for internships, I didn’t really rely on college. For me, it was always about personal interest and initiative. I strongly feel that relying only on college will get you nowhere. You have to take that step yourself, look for what excites you, and go after it.
My connection with Rsquare started much earlier. In my second year, Rishabh visited our college as a guest speaker and spoke about motion design and the industry. That was my first real exposure, and it sparked my curiosity. I started learning 3D during the summer after that.
The following year, Raz and Rishabh came together to conduct a proper workshop on 2D motion design. That experience pushed me even further into this field. So when I later saw their Instagram story about hiring a 3D motion design intern for the first time, it felt like a full-circle moment. I knew I had to get that opportunity.
The first few days at Rsquare were honestly overwhelming. I wasn’t used to remote work, and tools like Slack were completely new to me. On top of that, I was assigned my first project on day one, which meant I had to quickly get into the workflow and prove myself.
One of the biggest adjustments was something very basic but extremely important - file organisation, layer management, and maintaining a proper dailies folder. When you’re working on projects with multiple outputs and multiple people involved, these things become crucial. It’s not something you really think about in college, but in a studio, it directly affects how smoothly the work moves forward.
There wasn’t just one moment where I suddenly felt like I had shifted from a student to a professional. It happened over time, across multiple projects. But one thing that stood out was learning how to balance ambition with timelines and deadlines.
I’ve always wanted to make something “cool,” and in college, that mindset is encouraged. But in a professional environment, you also have to be realistic about your skills and the time available. I’ve faced situations where I aimed too high, which resulted in very few usable outputs. That, in turn, led to demotivated days and creative blocks. It’s something I still struggle with, but I’m much more aware of it now.
Before Rsquare, my process was quite straightforward - brainstorm, create a moodboard, and go with the first cool idea that came to mind. But working there changed that completely.
I started understanding the real importance of RnD, especially in 3D and motion design. Exploring multiple directions, testing ideas, and not settling too quickly became a big part of my process. That phase, which I earlier overlooked, is actually where most of the thinking and clarity happens.
One of the biggest realities I faced was that not every project will be exciting or something you’re already good at. And that’s something college doesn’t really prepare you for.
But I’ve learned that being willing to learn and putting in the effort always helps. Even if the project doesn’t feel exciting at first, the process of doing it still adds to your growth. That mindset shift is important.
I think the value of an internship really depends on what you’re expecting from it and how much you value the opportunity. In my case, even if my internship at Rsquare was unpaid, I would have still taken it because of how important it was to me.
That said, I do feel that some form of remuneration is important. It helps you stay motivated and makes you feel that your work is valued and appreciated. Ideally, there should be a balance between learning and compensation.
If I had to advise students, I’d say don’t blindly apply everywhere or just take whatever opportunity comes your way. Instead, look for studios that genuinely resonate with you and the kind of work you want to do.
Your portfolio should reflect that interest. It doesn’t have to be perfect or at a professional level, but it should show effort and intent. That alignment makes a big difference, not just in getting selected, but in how much you actually learn.
Right now, I want to focus on exploring and experimenting more instead of limiting myself to the first “good idea.” Lately, I’ve been very interested in 3D keyframe animation, and I want to keep developing that further.
More than anything, I just want to keep learning, trying new things, and pushing myself creatively.