Vortex 2025 is a two-day design conclave curated by Mellow Academy for final-year students of the Presidency School of Design.
The event is built to bridge the gap between academia and the evolving design industry by offering real-world insights, hands-on learning, and personalised mentorship from industry professionals.

Students will engage in masterclasses, portfolio reviews, panel discussions, and one-on-one sessions designed to prepare them for a career in UX/UI, Product, Fashion, Space, Game, Communication, and Multimedia Design.

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Why Attend Vortex 2025

What You Will Gain

• Clarity on hiring expectations
Understand what recruiters, design managers, and creative directors actually look for in fresh designers. Learn how portfolios, resumes, and interview behaviour shape hiring decisions.

• Industry-ready portfolio refinement
Get guidance on structuring, presenting, and positioning your best work. Learn how to highlight process, insights, and narrative flow to match industry standards.

• Strong storytelling & presentation skills
Learn how to articulate your design decisions with confidence. Understand how to explain the “why” behind your work and build engaging narratives for case studies.

• Exposure to real-world career paths
Interact with working professionals from leading studios and companies across all design disciplines. Understand what each field demands in terms of skills, tools, mindset, and direction.

• Personalised feedback from senior experts
Receive tailored critique during 1:1 and small-group portfolio review sessions to identify strengths, bridge gaps, and elevate your portfolio to a professional level.

• Job-readiness & interview preparation
Gain insights into interview processes, employer expectations, presenting work under pressure, and expressing your design philosophy effectively.

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Meet the Hosts – Day 1

Rohit Dhongade

Founder, Mellow Designs

With over 14 years of experience, Rohit has built a reputation for creating memorable brand experiences rooted in strategy and design thinking. As Experience Director, he works at the intersection of brand, technology, and marketing, guiding companies toward scalable creative solutions.

Anuradha Yadav

Co-founder, Mellow Academy

An NID and NIFT alumna, Anuradha brings deep expertise in UX/UI, visual communication, and design education. With a decade of teaching and industry experience, she mentors young designers in digital tools, creative thinking, and visual storytelling.

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Industry Experts – Day 2

Learn from professionals shaping the future of design:

• Mayura Devatwal – UI/UX

• Lakshmi Subramaniam – Fashion Design

• Madhumitha C – Space Design

• Priyank Singh – Game Design

• Sijo Thomas – Product Design

• Nitin Verma – Multimedia & Film

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Vortex ’25 Schedule

Day 1 – Portfolio Development & Interview Prep

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Welcome Note: Industry Landscape & Changing Work Culture

Speaker: Anuradha Yadav

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Employer–Employee Fit & Designing Your Career Path

Speaker: Rohit Dhongade

Topics include:

• Identifying the right roles
• How employers evaluate portfolios
• Balancing design and functionality
• Strategic career planning
• Do’s & Don’ts for interviews & presentations

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Portfolio Building, Case Studies, Storytelling, Tools & AI

Speaker: Rohit Dhongade

Topics include:
• Anatomy of a strong case study
• Storytelling frameworks
• Using AI to elevate presentations
• Portfolio homework for Day 2

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Day 2 – Industry Mentor Meet

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Industry Expert Panel Discussion

Topics include:

• Emerging design trends
• Future of design careers
• Hiring expectations
• Q&A with professionals

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

1-on-1 Portfolio Review Sessions

Small-group mentoring, personalised critique, skill guidance, and aligning career aspirations with opportunities.