Priya Jain started her career as an engineer but had been always passionate about design. She decided to pursue her passion and finished her design education from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore. She likes to explore new things which can be seen in the variety of her projects. Her work involves Branding, UI/UX, Book design, DIY crafts, illustration. Her main interest lies in illustration with a deep interest towards children’s book illustration. She is also a nature and animal lover. Most of her inspirations are from nature which give her the space for fresh ideas. Her weakness lies in Stationery, you will find a gamut of stationery in her house and she even uses all of them!!

Why are you a graphic designer:
I still remember the phase when I was unable to decide that I should live my life as an engineer to live upto other’s expectations or stand away from the herd and do what I am passionate about. And I now I know that I made the right decision. I have always looked into the details of a product, like it’s packaging, it’s form, its design. I could see a product or a creative and think in my head about how I could do it in my style and make it look different.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes I got my diploma in Visual Communication from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore.It made me learn a lot of things not only about design but also about other aspects of life and people. It added more value to my personality and made me learn about things which I was unaware of.

You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I realized and developed my style as I kept exploring different skills through a variety of my projects But most of my work, as someone once called it, have a “child-like” style in it.  One of my mentors in college always told me “never get rid of that style, since it’s a challenge for people to design for kids and you have got it”. And continuing with that style has opened up more opportunities for me and worked out well.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
To be honest, there has never been a role model for me. I like doing new and random things so I keep taking inspirations from anything and everything. But animated movies, children books play a big part of it.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in graphic design?
The most influential personality would me one of my mentors from college “Mr. Narendra Raghunath”. He never let me quit and gave me honest feedbacks, which helped me stay on the right path.

When did you start freelancing?
I started as a freelancer during my college time. I used to take projects during holidays. Then after graduating, I started working as a full time employee. That culture didn’t excite me and I was losing the passion as a graphic designer. So I started freelancing again. People assume that freelancing is easy and people who don’t get a job do it. But that’s completely untrue. Freelancing is more challenging and you learn more.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit graphic design?
I wouldn’t say quit. But I will say that I got distracted lot of times. Everyone has this phase in life where they want to do something bold and act on their instinct. Like that I sometimes wanted to be a wildlife explorer or a dancer. But design is which I can never quit.

Are many advertising agencies hiring graphic designers? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
Yes they are. I work more with publishers since my design approach works well there.

Do you have clients who give you steady work or do you advertise for new clients often?
When I started freelancing it took time to get clients. But soon you start building your network. Also, when you give your best and start building your relationship with a client, it becomes a long term contract. So, I am working with both the types of clients.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on graphic design as a career option?
My advice would be to keep taking up new kind of projects because even if you fall you will learn something out of it. Also, to always keep a journal with them and note down the ideas they get anytime. They never know when it will come in handy. Advice is good but in the end do what you really like and your life will be surely better. I guess that’s an advice too 🙂

Do you think Clients are opening up to keeping aside a decent respectable budget for design work? Do you think clients are understanding 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?
I think in India the design culture is still developing. Clients are more aware and are evolving from the mentality of freelancing means “free” work. Design is becoming an integral part of every industry and that’s exciting. We will always face challenges, but its a part of the journey.

Mac or PC?
PC.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
If I start then there is a long list of my crush celebrities. But coming to the real world, I would like to take out my sister (Sneha Jain). She is elder to me so I never got a chance to give her a treat. Perks of being a younger sibling. 😀

What’s on your iPod?
It’s a mix up of genres. But mostly Coke Studio, Maroon 5, English-Hindi Mash up covers.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
I don’t have a Twitter Handle, Since I can’t “handle” it. 😀 Get it? 😀

Last one line “She designed a life she loved.”