Interviews

Vivek Mathew

Vivek Mathew : Photography

Interviews, Photographers6 comments

Vivek Mathew’s tryst with photography began with a simple thought – capturing the brilliance of a moment. Doing what he does best, Vivek today, has travelled the world and experienced the essence of life, through his camera lenses. And it is an addiction he never wants to get over.
Having completed his education at Asia’s top notch institution – The Light and Life Academy, Ooty – Vivek has gone on to bring life into Fine Art, Architecture, Travel, Nature, People and Interiors, through his photography. Considered as one of the “Young and Unusual” photographers of today by the India Today Magazine, he has also been featured in prestigious publications – The
Times Journal of Photography, Time Out, Design Today, Better Interiors, National Geographic Traveller India, Forbes India, Smart Photography, Bangalore Mag, The Times of India, Femina, Classic Imaging and Women’s Wear Daily -New York
Adding perspective to his works are his exhibitions, which have brought to light several aspects of daily life. I.Opener in 2005 at the ‘Renaissance Gallerie’ focused on subjects ranging from still life to portraits to exteriors, as Waterborne in 2007 at ‘Industree’, experimented with ripples, reflections and patterns. His third exhibition at ‘Sublime’, UB City in 2011 – Canvas wall – was inspired by the rustic and the crude. His fourth exhibition, Perfect Imperfections, in February 2015 at the ‘Art of Delight’ dealt with nature and man-made pattern. His fifth and the most recent show, Yesterday Once More, in March 2017 at ‘Venkatappa Art Gallery’ was an array of architectural windows, chronicling time and stories, from different cities.

Why are you a photographer?
I loved seeing pictures as a child & loved how moments were captured and lasts forever like for example your parents wedding or your 3rd birthday party or your summer holiday as a kid & these moment can never be captured again. This got me interested in photography & I wanted to capture images which I see in my everyday life. So photography is my form of communication to the world & how I see life around me.

Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer’?
I remember walking into family or friends parties as a kid & begging them to give me their cameras so that I can take pictures of the event. Those moments I remember I didn’t want to do anything else but to be a photographer as a kid itself. I think capturing the moment was something I enjoyed at that time & I still do. The decision I made as a kid that I wanted to take up photography as a career & I got a chance to follow my dreams. (more…)

Namrata Chattaraj

Namrata Chattaraj : Graphic Designer, Artist

Graphic Designer, Illustration, Interviewsno comments

An artist at heart, Namrata comes from an extensive background in Graphic Design, having worked with the best names in the industry in houses such as JWT, Channel [V], Rediffusion DY&R, and Fisheye Design. 

The wisdom gained from these experiences led to WAG Design. WAG stands for Wisdom, Art, & Graphics.

With a long standing track record and an international client base, Namrata’s work is an extension of her philosophy, values, and work ethics. She enjoys experimenting with styles, typography, and mediums and brings passion and excitement to every project. Over the last few years she has almost completely switched to creating handmade art. 

Namrata also loves delicately flavoured darjeeling tea, calm people who don’t constantly multitask, and receiving thoughtful notes by snail mail. She might actually be from the 1950’s. But we can’t be sure.

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
All my school life, I was pretty confident I wanted to be an artist. But I also resisted all fine art training or classes, because I felt art cannot be taught, it has to flow from within. However, when it came to choosing a career, I was told art was for the crazy and broke people. And I didn’t want to be either. I wanted to do art that was relevant, interactive and fun. I loved watching MTV and Channel [V] and kept critiquing their designs in my head and loving them too. So I decided I wanted to be a graphic designer. It was a pretty clear decision at a time when no one around me had ever heard of the term ‘graphic designer’. (It got pretty tiring, long after I became a graphic designer, to keep explaining to people what it meant. Some elderly people would think I was saying I’m a ‘traffic designer’. It was a weird time.) (more…)

Aditya Dhotre : Graphic Design

Graphic Designer, Interviewsno comments

Aditya Dhotre is a self-taught designer who specializes in visual design, He is fuelled by curiosity and passion for design, technology, and life.

Most of his skills are self-taught and all that he had learned has been extramural; outside the walls.
When he is not busy breaking down design, he works on pet projects and short films.
Adi always believed that the “Creative” arena will be his best playground.

“I’m a design enthusiast who is fuelled by curiosity and passion for design, technology, and life. Most of my skills are self-taught and all that I had learned has been extramural; outside the walls.

When I’m not busy breaking down design, I work on creative pet projects and short films.

I always believed that the “Creative” arena is my best playground.”

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
The design bug has bitten me! like how it happens in Spider-man. *Just Kidding*
I’ve always been a visual learner and that made me slowly graduate as a designer.

The dream of a graphic designer is to create meaningful designs that communicate on a visual, intellectual and emotional level. It is the joy of being creative and having someone pay you to do it. But the reality of that dream is that it often comes with the heavy price of the creative soul. There are endless meetings, client revisions, committee-mandated direction, project managers who are frustrated art directors, long hours and often little recognition. These are the daily and universal struggles of a graphic designer.

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Pranita Kocharekar : Illustrator, Graphic Designer

Illustration, Interviewsno comments

Pranita Kocharekar is an artist based out of Mumbai, India.
She grew up in a family full of artists where the walls of her home became her canvas. As she grew older, she learnt the language of visuals and as of today excels at expressing herself through visuals. She graduated from Rachana Sansad College of Applied Arts in Mumbai with a degree in Graphic Design and Type Design. By profession, Pranita is not only a Graphic and Type designer but also a self-taught illustrator and letterer. She documents her thoughts and observations every day on her public journal – Instagram. Pranita’s work has been commissioned by various brands like Vodafone, Chegg, Oreo, Quikr, Adidas, Netflix, Nivea, Dell, Lenovo to name a few. Pranita also collaborates with brands as an influencer. She donates illustrations for merchandising to Welfare for Stray Dogs from time to time. Besides brand collaborations, advertising and illustration projects, she also runs her own artist shop. Pranita enjoys exercising, meditating, reading books, watching films and playing with animals.

 

Why are you a Graphic Designer(an Illustrator)?
Because I enjoy drawing!

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I attended school for Applied Art & Type Design. I taught myself how to illustrate after school.

You have a distinct style of Design (Illustration). How long did it take you to develop your style?
My illustrations always had a style right from the beginning – I always drew what felt comfortable. Eventually, I kept developing the style.

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Karan Rawat : Interview With A CCO

Creative, Interviews2 comments

Karan Rawat is the Founder and CCO of Autumnwinter Communications & Design

Started his career at McCann Erickson after graduating from the Sir JJ School of Applied Arts. He then moved to JWT, followed by Enterprise Nexus. Grey Worldwide was his next stepping-stone, which preceded him taking up responsibility as the President & Executive Creative Director at Umbrella Design. Karan also pursued his other passion and studied filmmaking from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) and went on to assist Ram Gopal Varma for a year. He started / founded his own design and advertising agency AUTUMNWINTER COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN in 2014. He has handled the prestigious brand ‘Killer Jeans’ for more than 10 years and carved a niche for the brand. Other brands include Times of India, Femina, Coke, Close-Up, Lawman Pg3, Integriti Clothing, Reliance Communications, Raymond, Vimal to name a few. Karan has won more than 100 awards, national as well as international. In the first year, his agency AW picked up maximum awards to be at the no. 1 position in the design category and no. 6 in the overall rankings at Goafest 2014. In 2016, it retained its good form and claimed the no. 7 position in the overall tally.

Why are you into Advertising?
I was never an academic student. I hated studying, I hated sports, but I loved drawing. I loved sketching and expressing my observations on paper through a pencil, so the choice of going to JJ School of Arts was something that just came naturally. More than planning my future in advertising, I was organically drawn to the subject and then there was no looking back. It’s been 20 years since.

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Smriti Choudhary : Art

Illustration, Interviews2 comments

Airphish was founded by Smriti Choudhary for the love of nature, for the love of art and for the love of beautiful things. Her inspiration comes from everything aquatic & aerial and her obsession with detail. She loves to make birds swim and fish take flight. She uses pen on paper to create surreal visual experience that takes one on a journey through tranquil scenes of nature.

At Airphish, art travels from paper to beautiful handcrafted products that people can touch, hold and even eat on; art and products that become part of people’s homes. All designs start with hand-drawn illustrations that are hand-transferred on unique products, so each item is slightly different and has a lovely handmade feel.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I am an illustrator because drawing makes me happy. I have always loved to draw, ever since i was a little girl. Though when i was in school i wasn’t much aware about the career choices in this field. My world changed and things got clearer when I joined National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad in the year 2000. After one year of foundation at NID, i knew i wanted to explore more in the field of visual design and chose graphic design as my specialisation. Soon after my graduation i started working as a freelancer and worked on all kinds of graphic design projects. During the initial years my primary tool was my laptop. Even the illustrations i created were mostly digital. It wasn’t until 2010 when i was pregnant that i started to draw on paper again and reconnected with my love for nature through illustrations. After that i knew i wanted to concentrate more on creating art and since then.
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Jasjyot Singh Hans : Illustrator

Illustration, Interviews3 comments

Jasjyot Singh Hans is an illustrator unendingly inspired by an explosive neon mix of fashion, music and pop culture. He has a constant regard for things past and a voracity for all that is current. He studied animation film design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and has an MFA in Illustration Practice from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore.

His work chronicles around themes of body image, sexuality and self love.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I’ve always loved to draw, so it was only natural for me to gravitate towards a profession that was close to me.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I studied at animation National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, then MFA in Illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art. Illustration and animation surely employ art, but are essentially design led fields.

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Shikha Nambiar : Illustrator, Artist

Illustration, Interviewsno comments

Shikha Nambiar is an illustrator/artist based out of Pune and Bangalore. She started her career as a corporate lawyer, before she answered her inner calling of pursuing art and design. She is passionate about illustration, hand-lettering, typography and snail-mail. She loves to make postcards and send them to people around the world. Her work is inspired by her travels, culinary exploits and everyday experiences. In 2015, she started Sunny Skies Starry Eyes as a humble attempt to keep snail mail alive through postcards and it has now developed into a range of illustrated products that provide doses of happiness and wisdom.
She considers herself to be fortunate to wake up each day and do what she loves doing – creating art. Through her art, she hopes to touch people’s lives in different ways by making them pause and reflect, inspiring a few and most importantly, making them smile.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I don’t think I cold see myself as anything else. I’ve always loved to draw and I’m so fortunate to have been able to make a living from it. I feel grateful that drawing is my job and sometimes it really feels too good to be true. Also, Illustration is my favourite medium to communicate anything and everything I feel.

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Sunil Garud

Sunil Garud : Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Photographer

Graphic Designer, Illustration, Interviews11 comments

Sunil is a graphic designer and an artist from Mumbai. He is raised in Mumbai, a city which doesn’t need any introduction & the city has always captured his imaginations and shaped his dreams.
In his growing years he was fond of drawing and creating things. He spent most of his time in doodling and playing cricket. In his school days only he realized that he has strong inclination towards art, painting, sculptures and photography. And favorably his parents promoted him in his passion & today he is continuing his passion with different mediums & some good happy clients. In his leisure time he indulges in photography, trekking and skiing.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Haha… because I knew I couldn’t attend class, I knew I couldn’t write, I couldn’t count. I just cannot repeat the same thing. Because I simply love creating visuals & things and bring newness in my work by innovative ideas.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I did BFA in communication design with illustration as an elective subject in Sir. J. J. Institute of Applied Art.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I have been working on my style since 8-9 years & each day I’m learning & exploring. Every day is a new experience for me.

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Akriti Kapur : Artboat

Agency Profiles, Graphic Designer, Interviews, no comments

Akriti Kapur is a Graphic Designer by profession and has had the good fortune of being mentored by some stalwarts from the design fraternity. Having worked extensively for about 8 years in the Design industry and heading the creative depatment for varius firms, she has handled projects such as the Launch of One Indiabulls, Rebranding of Sarvodaya Hospitals, Dhabha by Claridges, Launch of Volvo S60 and various clients across FMCG, realty, and consumer durables category.

Akriti’s work got featured in Brand and Brochure & Layout Design Book, an international platform for showcase of exclusive graphic designing work and is also awarded for a Special Winner Certificate for participating in the “Absolut Bottle Design” campaign hosted on Talenthouse India.

She’s now started her own venture by the name of ARTBOAT.

A little about your outfit Artboat. What do you do?
ARTBOAT is a creative agency catering to your brand creation through visual identity, packaging, advertising, websites & many things in between.
We believe that brand creation is an adventurous and creative journey, come aboard and let us help you in every step!!

What made you start Artboat?
Design is a journey that started for me much before i joined college. With gaining experience on the job and as a design consultant, every day is a learning process. ARTBOAT aims to further initiate the design process and give the clients a fresh look to their design needs.

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