AOD’s pledge to excellence extends beyond graduation: inaugural stages of dream careers pathways for a cohort of December 2023 graduates already secured through strategic industry collaborations, where many are realizing professional milestones by January 2024

AOD, Sri Lanka’s celebrated design educator, seamlessly merges industry-ready qualifications, curricula in par with global standards, and employment opportunities to help students set off on their dream career paths.

Connecting students to their dream careers begins right from the learning culture at AOD, where students are encouraged to understand their professional aspirations and work towards them with the guidance of lecturers. Post-graduation, AOD actively collaborates with fresh graduates, setting them on their dream career pathways within a remarkably short span. What begins with a conversation on the latest aspirations, what fits their strengths and unique capabilities, and personal preferences in terms of career are all considered by AOD in its process to match students with career opportunities. This seamless process is supported by a proactive team that liaises with companies, shares tailored CVs, and arranges interviews, ensuring a secure employment trajectory for every graduate. The class of 2023, having completed their academic journey in December, is a testament to this commitment, with a significant number already realizing their professional dreams within just a month.

Vishmi Narthana joined AOD after leaving a nursing diploma course in search of her dream to become a designer. Having just secured a career at FOA clothing through AOD’S graduate placement process, Vishmi is just starting to live her dream career. “AOD really helped me become a fashion designer. I started there after leaving a nursing diploma, not knowing much about designing. But in those three years, I discovered myself, thanks to fantastic lecturers and friends. It laid the foundation for what I’ve achieved and what’s to come. Winning awards like ‘outstanding creativity’ and ‘special sustainability’ for my final collection showcased the depth of my growth. AOD not only equipped me with a degree but also opened doors to diverse career opportunities. Today, as the in-house fashion designer at FOA Clothing, I owe much of my success to the foundation laid by AOD.”

Salome De Saram, who was employed by Canvas Interior Design, said that her learning experience at AOD played a significant role in growing into an employable graduate; “As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, It has been a struggle for many younger individuals to go into the world and start their journey as working adults. However, with my experience at AOD, I was given the opportunity to gain the support from my lecturers and the campus on how I should approach the work world and that I am grateful for. I was asked by the school what my goals are and I was given guidance and advice accordingly. Allowing me to move into another stage of my life swiftly,” stated Salome.

Loshani Nikeshala echoed similar sentiments about her learning experience at AOD, dubbing it as nothing short of ‘transformative’; “As an alumni from the Motion graphics and animation degree programme, I am immensely grateful to AOD for the unwavering support and invaluable knowledge that propelled me into the film industry. AOD’s commitment to fostering individuality has been a transformative force in my journey. The university not only imparted crucial skills but also provided an environment where I could explore and embrace my unique creative voice. In my journey of shaping my current and future goals and opportunities I am forever grateful for this transformative experience.” Loshani was just recently employed by Curve Up Pvt. LTD as a lead in creative production, through AOD’s graduate placement process.

What sets AOD apart with its ability to swiftly connect graduates with lucrative career pathways is the vast network of industry partners, design firms, and business incubators who are interested in hiring young talent to refresh their workforce and product or service offer. This ever-growing network ensures that AOD graduates are always well-placed in the professional landscape. Each graduate is paired with a professional role that is as lucrative as it is personally rewarding for them. By encouraging students to see employment not just as an endpoint but as the initial step towards a fulfilling career, AOD allows graduates to continue their journey as professionals who understand their relevance to the workplace through enriching personal and professional missions that drive them. This is part of the reasons why AOD graduates have a high success rate in securing employment and contributing to their workplaces and communities as interesting, skilled, and creative professionals.

Koojana Weligamage who graduated from AOD’s interior design programme was employed by Amoda Rathanayaka Associates. He said he was immensely grateful to AOD, for being the launchpad for a successful career in interior design. “The specialized curriculum, hands-on projects, and industry-experienced faculty provided the perfect blend of theory and practical skills. The career guidance and placement support were invaluable in helping me secure a fitting job right after graduation. I credit AOD. for not just educating me but for shaping my passion into a rewarding profession. It truly laid the foundation for my journey in the world of design, and I am proud to be a product of such a nurturing and inspiring environment,” he added.

Raeesah Samsudeen who just joined the a-designstudio team through AOD’s graduate placement thanked AOD for the confidence it instilled in him. “As a student I enjoyed looking at visual communication as a multidisciplinary form of design and AOD allowed me to explore different ways of using visual communication such as finding solutions to problems using science, exploring design in music, signage and wayfinding design, installation design, art and even space design outside the conventional idea of graphic design. That gave me the confidence to work in museums as an educator, an exhibition design assistant and even as an identity designer for an exhibition. Currently I work at a-designstudio which is an Architecture firm as the graphic designer which allows me to explore into a different creative field and learn new things while gaining experience and continue to explore multidisciplinary design as a visual communicator.”

The speed and precision in placing graduates within roles that align with their unique abilities, specialties, and preferences is a win-win hallmark of AOD. This approach not only empowers students in launching their dream careers but also serves as a valuable resource for AOD’s partner network, providing access to a pool of young, qualified professionals ready to tackle challenging roles in design and innovation.

AOD’s pledge for excellence that goes beyond graduation is a call to students and parents alike. For those navigating higher education options, AOD’s focus on graduate employment serves as a secure pathway, ensuring that education isn’t just an academic pursuit but a transformative journey leading to tangible professional outcomes. In a world where outcomes matter, AOD is not just an educator; it’s a catalyst for turning dreams into design careers.

For more information, please contact AOD on 0775727772, email info@aod.lk or walk in between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday – Colombo Innovation Tower, No 477, R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 04. www.aod.lk