Thinking Different: The Design Journey of Mesh Devkota
Design isn’t just what you make—it’s how you see the world. Meet Mesh, a designer who transforms vision into reality through bold aesthetics and meticulous detail. From creating 100 unique flower illustrations to crafting sustainable designs inspired by Nepali culture, his work at IDEA School of Design blends innovation with purpose. Driven by the ‘Think Different’ philosophy, Mesh’s projects showcase how design can tell stories and spark change. Check out this student spotlight story!
Introduction
MESH – THINK DIFFERENT
My inspiration for the self-portrait was none other than the late Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs has always been—and will always be—my inspiration when it comes to technology. I have always admired how meticulous he was about the smallest details in design.
Steve Jobs, along with Sir Jonathan Paul Ive (better known as Jony Ive), has been instrumental in shaping my design aesthetics. The amount of care a designer must take in their craft is sacred. Beyond that, having the power to simplify while maintaining beautiful aesthetics is just as important—all while considering accessibility. This is my daily mantra as I design.
I wanted to pay homage to Steve Jobs by creating this self-portrait, where I embody his philosophy of “Think Different.” I think like a designer, an artist, and someone who aspires to bring great change to the world of design. That was my mindset behind creating this “Think Different” self-portrait.
One of my lifelong dreams is to become a Visual Communications Designer at Apple, and this self-portrait was my way of manifesting that dream. I believe that putting positive energy out into the universe, combined with consistent hard work, is the perfect recipe for success.
One of my lifelong dreams is to become a Visual Communications Designer at Apple, and this self-portrait was my way of manifesting that dream. I believe that putting positive energy out into the universe, combined with consistent hard work, is the perfect recipe for success.
Self-portrait moodboard
About the course
IDES 133 Visual Studio provides an introduction to line, form, and light through an exploration of drawing and photography. Students develop skills in the use of drawing tools and a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Principles of perception, observation, proportion, and perspective are covered through drawing and photography of man-made and natural objects, including the human figure.
“The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. We assess portfolios on drawing skill, design and creativity.”
Student Application Work
Low-Fidelity Wireframes for the Weather App on iPad
Submitted as part of the student’s application to IDEA School of Design
MESHart.ca Home Page User Interface Design
Submitted as part of the student’s application to IDEA School of Design
Featured Work
100 Flowers Illustration (1st Year)
This project was inspired by the idea of creating a hundred of something. When you think of something in 100 different ways, you can truly sift through all the good ideas along with the bad. Forcing yourself to push the limits is what this project was all about.
This project was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for me. The task was to come up with 100 different variations of a single object, and I chose flowers. Initially, I thought it would be easy—creating a few flower illustrations sounded fun. However, after around 20–30 designs, I quickly ran out of ideas.
The real challenge began when I hit that creative block. At that point, I had to push myself to think outside the box. I would take walks, clear my mind, and return to the project with fresh ideas. This process taught me one of the most important lessons in design: persistence in creativity.
The result was worth it. I managed to create 100 variations of flowers, and the growth I experienced as a designer through this project was immense—especially early in my first year. It taught me how to keep generating ideas even when I felt creatively exhausted. This project remains one of my proudest achievements. The lessons and mentality I gained from it stay with me to this day, and I hope to carry them even further throughout my career.
Instructor: Chelsea Bell Eady
About the course
DSGN 122 Creative Thinking for Designers focuses on idea generation and big picture thinking, and the themes of "design for good" and "sustainable design". Students work collaboratively with other areas of the University and/or the community to solve problems using creative thinking techniques. Ways in which audiences interact with information are identified and related to visual communication problem solving.
Nepal International Shopping Bag (2nd Year)
The goal of this project was to design an environmentally friendly shopping bag that visually represented a specific country’s culture. I chose Nepal—my home country.
I drew inspiration from Nepal’s rich culture, traditional architecture, national colors, and beautiful landscapes. My objective was to blend eco-friendly materials with strong visual storytelling that captured the essence of Nepal.
This project taught me how to incorporate cultural elements into design while ensuring the product remained practical and aesthetically pleasing. The final outcome was a beautiful, culturally enriched, and eco-friendly shopping bag that I am extremely proud of.
Instructor: Vida Jurcic
About the course
IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II examines graphic design and typography from the mid-20th century to the present day through an integration of history, theory, and practice. Students are introduced to modernist, post-modernist, and information age movements as an aesthetic and philosophical basis of modern graphic design and advertising. Applied projects, including the integration of concept with design principles, are integral to the course.
“Phantom of the Opera”
Movie Poster (1st Year)
This project was introduced during the first few months of the IDEA program. We were asked to design a movie poster using either traditional or digital tools while capturing the aesthetic of the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s.
I chose Phantom of the Opera because I had always dreamed of creating a dark, dramatic, and vintage-inspired movie poster. The challenge, however, was ensuring my design looked authentically vintage without merely copying existing works.
I spent hours studying Golden Age movie posters, analyzing their typography, color palettes, and composition. I am incredibly proud of the outcome. The poster captures the haunting, eerie beauty of Phantom of the Opera while paying homage to the old-school poster design era. This project significantly strengthened my understanding of composition, color, and typography.
Instructor: Paul Brokenshire
About the course
IDES 141 Survey and Principles of Design I examines the evolution of visual communication from paleolithic cave paintings to the mid-20th century through an integration of history, theory and practice. The course covers the origins of written communication and its subsequent role in the development of typography and the design and advertising professions. Applied projects explore the articulation of historical styles and aesthetics.
Frankos Organic Pasta Sauce
Retail Package Design (3rd Year)
This project was part of the Branding Concentration, an optional track in the third year of IDEA. The task was to create packaging that showcased a narrative—a compelling and unique brand story.
My brand story? A design that celebrates an authentic Italian community. At the center of the package, we see various people shopping locally for tomatoes, cheese, garlic, and other spices, engaging in micro-interactions—with a comedic twist. We aimed to convey humor through our art for that "wow factor."
We wanted to make people stop and take notice—perhaps even pick up the package—thanks to the absurdly large groceries depicted.
Overall, the design evokes a sense of community, with smiling people interacting while buying fresh produce. It subtly suggests that the ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and free from harmful chemicals, as they appear to come from small vendors rather than supermarkets. The background features Italian houses to emphasize a vibrant community.
We kept the rest of the packaging clean due to space constraints, ensuring every element—including text—served a purpose. No unnecessary decoration, just pure design.
Instructor: Dominique Walker
About the course
Thematically structured around the concept of "design for good", IDES 362 Visual Communication Studio I: Branding Concentration introduces a variety of creative briefs, research methods, leadership skills, and tools that model best practices. Students work in groups to deconstruct the briefs, build on the research, identify tasks, map workflow, explore and define problem-solving strategies, and build solutions and case studies. Students concentrate on branding for project deliverables.
Experience at IDEA School of Design
My experience at IDEA School of Design has been nothing short of transformative.
One of the school’s most valuable aspects is the freedom to experiment. Instructors encourage us to try new styles, take creative risks, and develop our unique design voices. I entered the program with a fixed design style but soon discovered endless possibilities to explore. IDEA School of Design has truly taught me to “Think Different.”
The feedback culture has been instrumental to my growth. Regular critiques from peers and professors have pushed me beyond my creative limits. I’ve learned that failure is a stepping stone—and that experimentation leads to progress. I’m excited to see how my design journey evolves over the next two years at IDEA School of Design!
Why did you choose the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree program at IDEA School of Design, Capilano University?
I selected IDEA School of Design for its outstanding industry reputation. Graduates consistently land positions at major design firms—a testament to the program’s quality. Alumni praise the hands-on learning, real-world projects, and industry connections they gained at IDEA School of Design.
The school’s track record of graduate success was another key factor. Seeing IDEA School of Design alumni achieve remarkable accomplishments convinced me I wanted to be part of this legacy.
Memorable or impactful experience from first-year
Meeting so many creative people from all over in one giant classroom felt amazing. I was in art programs before, but there is nothing quite like IDEA. So many creative and talented people with such diverse skillsets made it really special. We got to learn from each other, bond, and—most importantly—vibe out and have fun. It truly felt like the beginning of a new family.
Memorable or impactful experience from second-year
Taking everything from the first year and elevating it to the next level was an amazing (yet exhausting) experience! Second year exposes you to so much—illustration, UI/UX, coding, Figma wireframes, branding, logo design, typography… so many creative avenues. You end up feeling like you’ve accomplished so much in such little time, and looking back is incredibly rewarding. You’ll have a wealth of work to polish and include in your portfolio.
What is your concentration and why did you choose it?
I’ve always had a deep interest in technology—as I mentioned before, I wanted to become a UI/UX designer even before joining IDEA, so my goal was clear. I love tech; a lot of people tell me I’m “teched-out!” Haha. Choosing the Interaction concentration (UI/UX Design) was a way for me to express myself creatively while pursuing my passion. Additionally, skills I learned from other concentrations—like branding and illustration in earlier years—now help me enhance my user interfaces. I deeply appreciate these disciplines, as they contribute to my work. Every day, I apply essential design fundamentals: hierarchy, white space, the rule of thirds, color theory, accessibility, and copywriting.
What are you looking forward to in your 4th year?
I hope to gain a lot from my upcoming summer internship and build a strong portfolio with a focus on interaction and branding. I also want to secure a great practicum and create an impactful capstone project. Honestly, I’m a little scared, but at the same time, I’m excited to step into the “real world” as a designer. I’m currently revamping my website and entire brand identity, so I’m really looking forward to my personal rebrand in the second half of 2025!
Advice for those considering applying to the IDEA School of Design
Learn to take feedback—it’s your greatest growth tool.
One crucial lesson: Design critique isn’t personal. When someone analyzes your work, they’re helping you improve. Separating yourself from your creations and embracing feedback will transform your career.
The sooner you adopt this mindset, the faster you’ll evolve as a designer. Welcome criticism, learn from failures, and never stop creating!
Breakthrough Moments at IDEA School of Design
I entered IDEA School of Design passionate about UI/UX design, focused solely on technology, minimalism, and wireframing. Surprisingly, I discovered a profound love for illustration through the school’s diverse curriculum.
Exploring various mediums helped me develop a distinct illustration style. Now, I blend technical UI/UX precision with artistic expression—a fusion that defines me as a Visual Communications Designer.
This revelation clarified my path: merging clean digital interfaces with meaningful illustrations. This breakthrough continues to shape my work, and I’m eager to further refine this synergy throughout my remaining time at IDEA School of Design and throughout my career.
Creative Life outside of IDEA School of Design
My main creative outlet outside of IDEA is photography. I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY!!! Capturing moments means a lot to me—especially since my name translates to “moment” in Nepali. When I take photos, I feel like I’m preserving a piece of myself, my essence. Photography relaxes me. There’s something magical about freezing this busy, chaotic world into a single still frame—it’s like stopping time.
I’ve been passionate about photography since I was little, and I never plan to stop. If you ever want to collaborate, hit me up! I’d love to go out, take photos, and just vibe.
About IDEA School of Design at Capilano University
IDEA School of Design offers two career-oriented programs for the next generation of creative professionals.
The Bachelor Of Design In Visual Communication is a four-year undergraduate degree with a variety of career outcomes in the creative field. Students can specialize in branding, Illustration or interactive design in upper years.
The Interaction Design Diploma is a two-year program with career outcomes in the field of digital product design and user experience. The focus is on creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving.
What’s your favourite music video?
For more on Mesh
📸 Follow my photography on Instagram: MESHart.ca
🎨 Check out my design work on Behance: Mesh Devkota
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: Mesh Devkota
📩 Feel free to email me at: n_devkota@MESHart.ca
🌍 Want to check out my latest work? Visit my website: MESHart.ca
UI/UX designers and creatives need to stick together! Let’s build a more vibrant community—don’t hesitate to reach out. Follow your passion, stay weird, and keep creating beautiful, meaningful art & design.
Till next time—goodbye!
Thank you,
Mesh
