Niharika is a final year Visual Communication student at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore. Her passion lies in illustration and storytelling. She is a big time clean freak and stationery lover. She likes Rajasthani food, shopping and collecting books. She is also an avid reader of hindi poetry.

“As an aspiring graphic designer and visual artist, I always try on to experiment new things and challenge my own capabilities. My work reflects me and the community I am a part of. I believe my stories are the fuel for my creativity. Usually bringing in the glimpses of everyday life, I put in a bit of myself in everything I do J”

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
Art has always been in my escape into the world of wonder, even as a kid. I loved to draw and paint. Coming to college introduced me to illustration and visual narration, which is the best part! It is like putting down the most random of your thoughts on paper but it actually resonates with many across the globe.

Niharika Nopany

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes. I am a final year student at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore.

You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I am still at the learning stage of it. Moreover, I don’t have any specific style of illustration as of yet. It changes with the kind of project I am working on.

How did you focus so much on infographic? When did you realize you loved doing it and wanted more of it?
I always had a thing for visuals and it is indeed one of the best forms of communication. It was recently that I figured out trying on minimalistic style with greater involvement with my project FLOWER POWER. You can check out my project here.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
My first role model was my mother, she is creatively inclined and I have always wanted to become like her. On the design front, I was a huge fan of Disney books. I loved the characters, stories and the cutesy illustrations.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in graphic design?
There are a lot of artists and designers who inspire me. But I would say that my drawing teacher Mr. Rajib Talukdar has been one of the most influential people to get me started as a kid.

When did you start freelancing?
I started freelancing by the end of my second year in college. And it has helped me understand my work professionally in a better way.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit graphic design?
Never.

Are many advertising agencies hiring graphic designers? Do you work more with agencies or publishers or direct clients?
Yes, a lot of advertising firms are now working with graphic designers and the results are just amazing. So far I have worked with ad agencies and a publishing house.

Do you have clients who give you steady work or do you advertise for new clients often?
I don’t have any fixed clients for whom I work on a regular basis. I have done some branding and UX designs for start-ups and an event company.

How do you market yourself?
On the last bit of my process of being a design graduate, I am still very new to this industry and have a long way to go. As of now I share my work on more and more platforms and interact with as many professionals as I can in order to get more clarity and direction.

Any other Indian graphic designers who you admire?
I totally adore Alicia Souza, Kritika Trehan, Jasjyot Singh Hans, Mira Malhotra, Annushka Hardikar to name a few. They’ve always inspired me.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on graphic design as a career option?
Design as a career option is very demanding and requires a lot of attention. I would give them an advice that has personally helped me. If you want to do it and you are passionate about it, just do it whatsoever. The start could be at bit fumble, but you can always help yourself, it gets better with practice.

Do you think Clients are opening up to keeping aside a decent respectable budget for design work? Do you think clients understand that they need to invest in Design as a communication tool and also to cut the clutter, and that good design comes at a price?
Umm…Clients are opening up to good design work but a respectable budget is still questionable. People have started appreciating design as a tool for effective communication in terms of branding, management or even academics sometimes. But the problem lies with the mindset that artists/designers don’t need to be paid much. But we too require a decent sum of money just like other professionals.

Mac or PC?
Mac, always.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
Dev Anand

What’s on your iPod?
Currently a lot of Guru Randhawa and Gajendra Verma. What gets me going always is Coke Studio, 90s Bollywood and of course Jagjit Singh.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
niharika_nopany, however I haven’t been to twitter since I made my account. I can be found furiously instagramming all day long. You can find me here:

www.instagram.com/niharikanopany