What If Design Begins Long Before the First Sketch? A conversation with Lavanya Behal

Can spaces tell stories before people even speak?

If you've ever thought interior design is simply about aesthetics, this conversation might change your perspective.

Our next guest believes that meaningful design begins with empathy. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Design in Interior and Retail Space Design at UPES, she has explored design through sustainability, fashion styling, and community leadership. From being the only first-year student on the award-winning Spandan 3.0 Fashion Show styling team to serving as President of the Young Karmayogi Community Outreach Programme, her journey reflects a commitment to creating experiences that are both thoughtful and human centered.

Joining us today is Lavanya Behal, an aspiring interior designer passionate about luxury, experiential, and contemporary interiors, who believes that the most memorable spaces don't simply look beautiful, they make people feel understood.

Let's dive into a conversation about empathy in design, creativity, sustainability, leadership, and the invisible decisions that transform spaces into experiences. 

Q1. You often describe design as creating experiences rather than just aesthetics. Was there a specific project or moment that fundamentally changed the way you define good design?

When I first entered design school, I viewed design primarily through an aesthetic lens. I believed that if something looked beautiful, it was good design. Over time, I realized that aesthetics are only one part of a much larger picture.

A project from my first year completely shifted my perspective. In our Design Process course, I worked on a project centered around menopause and women's health, particularly for women over the age of 40. Instead of jumping straight into creating solutions, we followed the four stages of the design process—Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. That meant conducting both primary and secondary research, interviewing women to understand their lived experiences, identifying the real problems they faced, and then designing based on those insights rather than assumptions.

Through that process, I developed a board game aimed at creating awareness around menopause because our research revealed that it continues to be a topic surrounded by stigma and limited conversation. I also proposed a prototype for a women's health clinic that moved away from the conventional, clinical atmosphere and instead focused on creating a space that felt warm, welcoming, and reassuring for women who were already navigating uncertainty.

That project taught me something I still carry with me today: good design isn't about making something look attractive it's about understanding the people you're designing for. The research, empathy, and intention behind a design are what ultimately shape the experience. If a space makes someone feel comfortable, understood, and supported, that's when I believe design has truly succeeded.

Q2. You mentioned wanting every design choice to be intentional. How do you balance creative instinct with the technical principles you're still learning during your specialization?

For me, creativity doesn't come before understanding rather it grows from it. Before I begin designing, I spend time researching the who, what, and why of the project. I like to pause, reflect, and understand the people I'm designing for because I believe the strongest ideas come from curiosity, not assumptions.

Once I have that foundation, I start exploring rough concepts, questioning my own ideas, and refining them. Since I'm still learning, I also study the work of experienced designers to understand how they approach similar challenges. Rather than seeing that as a limitation, I see it as part of my growth.

My creative instinct becomes much stronger once I understand the purpose behind a design. That's why I strive to make every decision intentional, whether it's a material, layout, or colour choice. I want every element to contribute to an experience and evoke an emotion, rather than feeling like it was included simply because it looked good.

Q3. As the only first-semester student working alongside seniors on the Spandan styling team, what was the biggest challenge in earning trust, and how did that experience shape the way you collaborate today?

When I joined Spandan, I was in my foundation year, and most of the seniors in fashion styling were way ahead. I was primarily interested in styling, but I knew the opportunity wasn’t just handed out. So, even though it took a lot of courage, I approached the mentors and asked if I could be part of the team. They appreciated that initiative, and from the start, they gave me the chance to help with sourcing.

At first, I felt a bit out of place as everyone else was a tight-knit group of seniors, and a few were skeptical or even a little resentful since I was getting a lot of recognition. But I kept showing up. I asked how I could help, even when no one asked me, and slowly, my consistency won them over. I took responsibility not just in sourcing but also in backstage coordination helping with styling, makeup, and just being there when the team needed support.

One of the most pivotal moments was when our Dean Bhaskar Sir, mentioned me in his LinkedIn post. That recognition was huge for a first-year student. I realized that trust wasn’t about proving I belonged instantly it was about showing up, staying curious, and being willing to step into each new responsibility.

By the end, I wasn’t just another junior I was part of a team that valued courage, collaboration, and pushing boundaries. And I think one of the biggest lessons I took from it is that you have to be brave enough to seek out opportunities, even when they don’t land in your lap. So, keep reaching out, send that email, connect with people. If you take that first step, eventually, the right doors will open for you.

Q4. You've explored sustainability through HESCO, fashion styling through Spandan, and now interior and retail design. What common thread connects these seemingly different experiences in your mind?

Although sustainability, fashion styling, community outreach, and interior design may seem like different paths, they've always been connected by one thing for me: empathy. I enjoy understanding people's needs and finding meaningful ways to improve their experiences, whether that's through a product, a space, or an initiative.

My journey with HESCO and later serving as President of my school's community outreach, and now as a Group Lead, strengthened my belief that leadership is about creating awareness and inspiring action. I was passionate about encouraging conversations around sustainability and helping others understand that even small, intentional choices can create lasting change. That mindset naturally influences my design approach as well. I believe good design should be responsible, purposeful, and considerate of both people and the environment.

Fashion styling through Spandan taught me the importance of storytelling and collaboration, while interior and retail design showed me how spaces can shape emotions, behaviour, and everyday experiences. Although each experience challenged me in different ways, they all reinforced the same belief: creativity is most meaningful when it's driven by purpose. Whether I'm leading a team, promoting sustainable practices, or designing a space, my goal has always been to create something that positively impacts the people it serves.

Q5. You wrote about wanting to leave a distinct touch of your own, even when designing for someone else. Where do you think an interior designer should draw the line between personal style and the client's vision?

I believe an interior designer's role is to bring a client's vision to life, not replace it with their own. Every client has a unique story, lifestyle, and emotional connection to their space, and I think it's our responsibility to understand that before making any design decisions.

At the same time, I don't think a designer should become invisible. Our creativity lies in how we interpret a client's needs, solve problems, and elevate their ideas in ways they may not have imagined. My personal style isn't something I want to impose rather it's reflected in the way I think, the questions I ask, and the intention behind every decision. To me, the best interiors are those where the client feels completely at home, while the designer quietly leaves a signature through thoughtful details, functionality, and meaningful experiences rather than obvious aesthetics. If a client walks into a space and feels that it truly reflects them, while also discovering possibilities they hadn't imagined before, I think that's where great design exists.

Q6. Design students are often encouraged to develop a signature aesthetic early. Do you see that as an advantage, or do you think exploring different styles for longer leads to better designers?

I think having a signature style is valuable, but I don't believe it's something that should be rushed. Design is an incredibly vast field, and as students, we're constantly learning, experimenting, and discovering new perspectives. Exploring different styles, materials, and approaches is what broadens our creativity and helps us grow. Personally, I believe experimentation is what eventually leads you to your own design identity. If you limit yourself too early, you may never discover what truly resonates with you. A signature style shouldn't simply be an aesthetic—it should be a reflection of your design philosophy, values, and the way you solve problems.

At the same time, I don't think every project should look like the designer. Especially in interior design, the space should tell the client's story, not ours. I see my role as adapting my creativity to different people and contexts while staying true to the values that define me as a designer. In the end, I think versatility is what helps a designer develop a signature that feels authentic rather than forced.

Q7. Your work spans both community outreach and design. Has listening to people's stories outside the design world ever changed the way you think about creating spaces for them?

Absolutely. I think listening is one of the most important skills an interior designer can have because every space begins with a person's story. Before designing for someone, you need to understand who they are, how they live, what they value, and how they want to feel in that space. Without that understanding, even the most beautiful design can feel disconnected.

The same principle has shaped my work in community outreach. Through interacting with people from different backgrounds, I've realized that every individual has a unique perspective and set of experiences. Those conversations have taught me to listen without making assumptions and to approach every problem with empathy. Today, I carry that mindset into every design decision I make. Whether I'm leading a team, working on a project, or designing a space, I always remind myself that I'm creating for people, not just places.

Q8. You're entering a phase with a steep learning curve. Looking ahead, what challenge do you think will test you more: developing technical expertise, finding your creative identity, or learning to defend your design decisions and why?

I think the greatest challenge for me will be developing deeper technical expertise not because I see it as a weakness, but because I want to keep pushing myself beyond the basics. I'm someone who's naturally curious, and once I become interested in something, I want to understand it thoroughly. That's one of the reasons I'm also drawn to furniture design. I don't just want to know what works aesthetically; I want to understand how things are constructed, how materials behave, and how thoughtful detailing contributes to a better design.

I believe I'm relatively comfortable defending my design decisions because I rarely make choices without a reason. I enjoy the research process, and my ideas are usually supported by user insights and intentional thinking. In fact, one of the most encouraging pieces of feedback I've received from my faculty and during jury evaluations is that I'm able to clearly explain and justify my concepts.

That's why I see technical expertise as my next challenge. The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is still to explore. Rather than seeing that as intimidating, I find it exciting because I want to keep growing into a designer who combines creativity with strong technical knowledge.

Lavanya Behal

B.Des., Interior & Retail Space Design, UPES

LinkedIn 

About Conversations by Brains in You

Conversations by Brains in You is a curated interview series featuring students, professionals, entrepreneurs, creators, researchers, and changemakers whose journeys offer meaningful lessons beyond conventional achievements.

Rather than focusing solely on titles or milestones, each conversation explores the decisions, experiences, challenges, and perspectives that shaped the individual behind the profile. The aim is to create a growing repository of practical insights that help students and young professionals navigate their own careers with greater clarity, productivity, integrity, and purpose.

Every featured conversation is thoughtfully selected with the belief that authentic experiences can inspire informed decisions, lifelong learning, and better human development.