AOD Alumna Alaanah Sallay Shows How Creative Education Can Fuel a Design Career Across Disciplines
Alaanah and AOD graduate Sahil Gunasekara’s cultural publication Malays of Sri Lanka won the State Literary Award for Best Page Design and Layout.
For AOD alumna Alaanah Sallay, a creative education in interior design became the launchpad for a career that now spans spatial, experiential, and visual design. It’s a journey that reflects the multidimensional value of studying design at AOD; students don’t just learn one discipline, but graduate with the creative confidence and practical skills to navigate, shape, and thrive in a fast-changing world.
After completing her BA (Hons) Interior Design degree at AOD in 2015, Alaanah began her career at leading practices like Philip Weeraratne Associates (PWA) and Taru Villas. Working at Taru exposed her to event planning and visual communication; it gave her the space to experiment with in-house graphic design.
“I started off as an interior designer designing simple things for the villas and even helping them with event design, where I was increasingly called on for graphics and 2D visuals,” she recalls. “Then I realised I was enjoying the graphics more than the interiors. That’s when I decided to switch.”
Because AOD’s design education emphasises form, composition, and communication across media, Alaanah was well-equipped to make the transition. Her training in spatial thinking and storytelling through design became the foundation for a new focus in 2D visual design, especially in publishing and designing for print.
Her next role, at the startup The Platform Sri Lanka (founded by AOD alumni Anjuli Flamer-Caldera), allowed her to grow that focus. “It was early-stage,” Alaanah explains. “Anjali had the vision, and I helped shape everything, from the visual language to the branding and rollout.” That experience sharpened her graphic design voice while drawing on her interior design thinking, systems-building, and client-facing skills.
Today, Alaanah is co-founder of an event and design company alongside her husband and fellow AOD graduate, Sahil Gunasekara. The duo’s work on Malays of Sri Lanka, a visually striking cultural publication, earned them a State Literary Award for Best Page Design and Layout. The award was presented at the prestigious State Literary Festival hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs, selected from more than 2,900 submissions nationwide.
The book, authored by Alaanah, was recognised for the way it blended research, heritage, and visual storytelling into a cohesive and accessible design. For many, accolades like these serve as powerful validation of creative careers, especially for parents who value credibility and public recognition.
This is what AOD means when it speaks of design as a future-ready career path. It’s not just about teaching one skill, but training creative minds who can apply their thinking across sectors; from interiors and fashion to publishing, branding, and entrepreneurship.
Why this matters, especially now
In today’s world, where traditional creative sectors are threatened by the advent of AI, the most valuable professionals are those who can think creatively, adapt to new industries, and turn ideas into tangible outcomes. Design careers are no longer confined to a single field; they span across tech, education, business, healthcare, and culture. And that’s exactly what AOD prepares students for.
Alaanah’s story is one among hundreds from AOD’s alumni community; proof that when young people are taught to trust their imagination and equipped with multidimensional creative tools, they can go on to shape brands, experiences, and industries in their own unique way.
For parents and young creatives : Your journey starts here
If you’ve just finished your O/Ls and are wondering where your future could take you, consider this: in a world of automation, multi-faceted creativity is one of the most sought-after and future-proof skills. AOD’s approach: connecting design with global industry, real-world challenges, and personal growth, gives students a lasting advantage, no matter what field they enter.
This August, AOD invites young minds aged 16–19 to discover that advantage for themselves.
Join the AOD Summer Camp 2025 : A One-of-a-Kind Design Experience
Held from August 11th–15th, this immersive programme gives participants the chance to explore their creativity through hands-on workshops in Design Thinking, Creative AI, Fashion, Photography, Film, and more, led by AOD’s expert faculty and industry insiders.
This is your moment to find your voice, meet like-minded peers, and start designing your own future.
Spots are limited.
Register now.
Call AOD on 0741120276 or visit : www.aod.lk
Camp fee: LKR 25,000 | Only 30 seats available
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