” The things I imagine in my head don’t exist or aren’t real, and so I’m compelled to create them the best way that I see it. As they say, art is freedom.
I’m from Calicut, Kerala. A beautiful village and I love it and I would love to be there all the time. After finishing my degree I was moved to Bangalore and currently working as a creative designer at Dunzo.”
Why are you a Graphic Designer? Art is my life, I’m an artist. When I started working as an artist, I had no idea what to do and where to start; otherwise I don’t know how my life should be.
Did you attend school for fine art or design? Yes, am graduated BFA student from Trivandrum fine art college.
I come from small city of Maharashtra – Nanded. I always wanted to pursue creative field because my father is a writer, and I’ve always been fascinated with the creative world due to him. After completing my Art Teacher Diploma, I decided to set foot in real world of art, which pushed him to come to Mumbai and pursue an art degree in the illustrious institute of Sir J J Institute of Applied Art. My main forte lies in creative illustration and also in developing unique creative ideas.
I’ve been in the creative business since 2012 till date and forever.
I started my creative journey with LINK ADS India followed by Eggfirst Advertising and currently COX AND KINGS ( INDIA) Mumbai.
Over the last many years, I’ve worked on various brands like Society Tea, Hasmukrai Tea, TATA motors, Ajmera, Hiranandani Fortune City, Peninsula Heights, Peninsula Land, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, etc. Under the Cox and Kings brand, I’ve worked on several of its sub-brands like TUTC, GLODEN BREAKS, Enable Travel, Bharat Deko, Duniya Dekho, Self Drive, CKFS, FIT, etc.
Why are you into Advertising? Since the time I was in school, I had a keenness for drawing and painting. With time, this fondness of mine just grew and I knew that advertising would be the right outlet for me to showcase my creative side. Somewhere the whole idea of solving a customer’s problems with the right kind of brand communication has always appealed to me.
Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications? Yes. I did my BFA at Sir J. J. Institute of Applied art, Mumbai. (2008-2012)
Paru is a freelance designer and illustrator who lives and works between Goa and Bangalore. If she had it her way she would be sitting in a forest in Central America with her favourite animal, Totoro (aka her pet dog) and rehabilitating wildlife all while saving the world with good design.
Why are you a Graphic Designer? I actually decided to go to art school with the eventual plan of pursuing product design. When I got to my second year of foundation however, I did a typography and illustration course. I was obsessed, and have never looked back since.
Did you attend school for fine art or design? Yes, Srishti School of Art and Design.
You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style? I don’t think I have a distinct style. I like exploring different style and mediums. I do a lot of book covers- and this allows me to experiment with styles a lot.
A graphic & UI designer focused on bringing brands to life in print & online platforms with innovative ingredients of design elements.
“I’ve worked with a lot of big and small businesses and provided them with relevant solutions in brand identities & Web designs that engaged the customers and form an emotional connection with them. “
Why are you a Graphic Designer? I have a great interest in the artistic/craft area & love to do hilarious photo editings from my school time & showed to my school buddies that’s how the love for drawing and software designs developed. Did you attend school for fine art or design? Yes, I’m a graduate from Arena Animation, New Delhi.
“I’m from Bombay. It’s been a year and a half since I shifted to Delhi for work. Because I wanted to get away from the chaos and hustle as It was getting really difficult to take out the phone from my own pocket on a local train. I’m a GRADUATE (oh yeah) from College of Fine Art, Pune. I like documenting my life through pictures or illustration.”
Why are you an Illustrator?
I’ve always been able to draw. As a kid, I’d copy the small illustrations from the textbook and that’s how the love of drawing and painting developed.
Did you attend school for fine art or design? Yes, I’m a graduate from the college of art, Pune.
You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style? Well, I never knew that I have one until people started talking about it. But that comes with time and a lot of practice. I’m still exploring different styles by using different mediums. So I can’t say If I have found THE ONE.
Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up? I don’t come from a family where art was celebrated or talked about so anyone creative around me was and still is an influential personality for me.
What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising? I love going to the office, but freelancing is like a breath of fresh air from the monotony. I started freelancing since college and it will continue as long as the project makes me excited. I have illustrated for advertising, be it a story board or print media. It’s always a beautiful experience to see your work on a huge platform.
Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers? Ad Agencies always look up for Illustrators. The good part is, they are exploring different styles. The content is always fresh. It also allows you to make something different from what you are comfortable in. People will not ALWAYS like your style. I’ve never worked with a publisher but that is in my bucket list. I want to illustrate scenes from the book. Like The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond.
Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations? These thoughts come and go. Sometime when your friend would come and say, Bro, I designed this app they paid me in lacs for few screens, why don’t you join me? Then I start thinking, It goes around in my head for an hour but then I get back to the roots. I’m not sure if I’ll be a good UI/UX designer. So let’s stick to Illustration
Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys? I would like to make maybe a Ludo Board. something old school or Business
Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire? I have this major love for Gaurav Ogale’s work and also Sanskar Sawant, When I see their work I feel like doing more in life. Creating more content.
You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough? My advice would be never stop sketching on paper, because that’s something really important. Never stop documenting, always carry a journal. Illustration as a career is great If you have a great hold. You need to show people that there is not just one style of illustration that you can do because people will not ALWAYS come to you. Creating a comfort zone for yourself is not healthy. The money will flow in once you put your work out there. Creating good content should be your priority and not money.
Whats your dream project? My dream project would be designing language for an Event. From graphics to installation.
Mac or PC? Mac and PC
Who would you like to take out for dinner? I usually go out with my bag so the opposite seat is always taken. But if hypothetically I had to then probably Mom or Friend
What’s on your iPod? I need an iPod. Answer (My Dream Project) will help me buy one.
Whats your Twitter Handle? I started using twitter in college and I praised Chetan Bhagat, because 3 mistakes was the first book that I read and I got bullied by a bunch of haters. So I had to delete my twitter account and take a fresh start. So the new account exists but I don’t use it. Instagram is love for me. The handle for that would be akshay_sing
Soniya Bhase is an illustrator and graphic designer who loves to create things that tell a story. Her work is often colourful and involves a mix of lettering and illustration. She loves dogs but draws cats better.
Why are you an Illustrator?
I really like the combination of words and visuals in design. As an illustrator, I can experiment and entangle them both in my narratives and that is the main reason I am an illustrator.
Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I have been a part of three design schools. Rachana Sansad College of Applied Arts and Craft in Bombay, Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore and School of Visual Arts in New York.
You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Although I had developed an interest in illustration almost 10 years back, I only started illustrating seriously 4 years ago. I still don’t think I have a style because being a graphic designer sometimes meddles with the way I illustrate taking me to explore new things that may not necessarily belong to the same family. So a style is something that is ever evolving for me.
You also do a lot of packaging design with your illustration work. Tell us about your personal favourite packaging design jobs.
I currently work full time as a packaging designer, and never leave an opportunity to illustrate if the project calls for it. I don’t have a favourite yet, but I am working on something very exciting for Christmas this year that has a huge chance of making it to the list.
Aastha is Mumbai-based illustrator and painter who is inspired by people around her. A true survivalist who can draw in any condition. Her free spirit reflects in her art that she reserves for herself – they carry a childlike beauty in them. Her favourite subjects to draw and paint are faces and cats.
“I like to draw my own perspective on other’s lives.” – Aastha.
Why are you an Illustrator?
Illustration wanted me to be with it.
I tried my hand at many things but I could not live with it. What I was always doing in the meantime was drawing and painting. This ‘meantime’ made me realise my real interest and that was illustration, which developed with my everyday drawings.
Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes I completed my BFA from JJ School Mumbai and MVA from MS University, Baroda.
You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I am still practicing to develop my own style. But yes, what it looks like now, comes from everyday sketching, observation and experiments.
Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Both my parents are artists in different fields. My papa is a well-established poet and writer. And my mother is a professional cook who does cookery shows and writes books. I grew up seeing them experimenting in their respective interests. When I started showing interest in painting as a kid, they could understand my abilities and gave me best possible guidance to develop my skills. They still inspire me with their active participations in their interests.
Nayna Yadav is a graphic designer and Illustrator. She recently completed her post graduation from IDC IIT Bombay. Wildly enthusiastic about drawing, writing and reading, when not drawing or working, Nayna enjoys avoiding the outdoors and chasing stray animals. She lives in Mumbai, India.
Why are you a Graphic Designer?
There was never anything else that really interested me. According to my mum, I was doodling at 10 months! ( I used to make a crooked circle with two eyes- A self portrait of sorts )
Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes. I did my masters in Communication Design from IDC IIT Bombay
You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I actually have two-three styles (different in vector and raster). It takes lots and lots of experimenting. Draw enough and a style will develop by itself!
How did you focus so much on illustration? When did you realise you loved doing it and wanted more of it?
I did my undergrad in Industrial Design but by the end of my four years I knew I was less interested in making products and more interested in drawing them or drawing anything really.
Saurabh Sharma is a self-taught designer focused on Branding and Digital Illustration, obsessed with colours, and interested in cognitive psychology. Beyond this, he’s a founder of Blanky Creative Agency working helping clients building their brand and also the Creative Director at CapStreet Media.
Why are you a Graphic Designer?
Being a graphics designer is not only creating something for a brand. It’s all about how you provide the values to the society. So, I became designer to help the world make smarter decisions.
Did you attend school for fine art or design?
No, I didn’t go to any design schools. I believe every person is an artist. It all starts within the childhood when you’re doodling all over your walls in your house. All it need just a passion to continue your childhood things.
You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Being a self-taught designer every day is a learning process for me. So for developing any style, it’s a practice and discipline.
My unconventional background and always eager to learn new has made me stronger and my unique mixture of design, illustration and social content-creation is what makes me stand out in an increasingly online world.
Gunjan Rai is a law graduate who loves lettering, doodles and illustrating quotes – be it from her favourite musician or a poet she has never heard of – that she posts under the name ‘elayichi’. She likes cats, desserts, poetry and watching time lapse videos.
Why are you a Graphic Designer?
I love poetry and sometimes a line or two will really strike me and I have to put it down on paper so I can absorb it fully.
Did you attend school for fine art or design?
No.
You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Wouldn’t say I have a completely distinct style yet. But yeah, more than a couple of years. Challenges such as #inktober pushed me to post regularly and improve on my design. I would look at the work of people I was inspired by and took a little bit from here and there to make my own.
Portrait of Gunjan Rai ‘Elayichi’ by Tiphaine Burguburu.