A little about your outfit Big Foot D’zine. What do you do?
We as a Bigfoot D’zine work on all segments of design. It starts with Branding, and further we cater all aspects of design. May it be packaging, Print/ Publication media, Web media, Social Media / Digital Advertising.
I have my own brand started recently named “Hastalikhit” where I pursue my all time love, “Calligraphy”. I have plans to start merchandise products and corporate gifts under the brand “Hastalikhit” and also conduct Calligraphy workshops.

What made you start Big Foot D’zine?
I had left lots of jobs, never used to get satisfied with what I was doing. Each achievement would turn out to be less for me, and always wanted more. I wanted to work in advertising, I did that. I wanted to work in Design studio, did that too… Still the urge was same… So I knew, I wanted my own baby, and there it came, Bigfoot D’zine. I wanted to stay back in Pune but wanted to work for Mumbai based clients too. So this was the only thing which was going to work for me.

Tell us about your designers/animators. Did they go into fine art or design schools? How do you pick them up?
While working in Anunaad Advertising, one of my multiple jobs, found a buddy cum business partner “Anand Kabade”who was having same urge to achieve something phenomenal in design. We further decided to come together and start working. After the decision, my partners took challenging decision of leaving his existing job and pursue the education in Applied Arts. The tough time for all of us, as working and studying was really challenging for him. He currently is studying in the last year of Diploma in Raheja School of Arts, Bandra. Did his internships in Mccann advertising and Wallcano, and now gearing up to join Bigfoot.
Apart from him, we work with several freelancers like Sameer Belvalkar for photography, Nequesta for content and copy writing and many more.

Can you tell us the process of building a design language for a brand?
We try to understand the perception of clients towards their brand prominently and their expectations. Then without any prior baggage, we come up with the total refreshing perception about the brand with design language considering the clients inputs.

How important is the focus on good design in Big Foot D’zine?
It’s the only thing I believe will take us long in this race. So yes, I do believe in giving the best of me in any project. Because these all things are going to be the face of Bigfoot D’zine in future.

What does Big Foot D’zine do which sets it apart?
We believe in maintaining individualism. May it be the style of work or the space. So that the output always turns out to be wonderful and different. We believe there is more life than just work, so enjoy a lot.

Tell us something about Design in the Digital Era.
Nothing is constant. Neither design nor the design trends, not even the designers or the studios. So we need to keep us update on what is going on to keep us alive in this rug ride.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
My role models kept on changing, as I evolve. It started with Saurabh Chandekar, the person who showed us the face of Mumbai, the advertising / design world over there. Further there were Mukesh Singh, Harshavardhan Kadam, Abhishek Singh their Illustrators made my Jaws open wide… further came across Sameer Kulavoor, Lokesh Karekar, Sarang Kulkarni, Ashutosh Karkhanis. Their versatile illustrations, designs and typefaces are making me nervous day by day. Few friends like Pavan Rajurkar, Manosij Sarkar always keep me awake, shows clear view of what I need to achieve more…
Being a calligrapher, have many calligraphers who I admire, but one prominent name would be Nikheel Aphale.
I simply love his calligraphy.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Brand Building?
Rugved Deshpande. The owner of Setu Advertising. He is the face of Pune’s advertising world.

Do you work with any advertising agencies? Or mostly directly with brand teams at clients’ side?
I do work with ad agencies / design studios and also work directly with brands.

What do you feel about the state of design in India? Do you feel that our collective aesthetics need to improve?
I am very small person on speaking about the state of design in India. I personally feel, India has its own taste, class and a golden history of Arts, culture and tradition. So, there is no need to always follow western culture and trends, as those things might not always work for Indian market. We are evolving, in terms of design, aesthetics, and many more aspects.

Any other Indian design firms that you admire?
Elephant Design, Lemon design, Setu Advertising from Pune and Open Strategy from Mumbai.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on graphic design as a career option?
Would just tell, follow your dreams and passion. You might fail several times, but never stop. That’s the only thing that will take you through. Obviously yes, Graphic design is the most intellectual career option as per my knowledge.

Who would your design team like to take out for dinner?
The man himself, Mr. Mandar Rane and just listen what all he says… He is the river of knowledge.

What’s on the company iPod?
I don’t have IPod, But Currently I am listening Amit Trivedi, on loop…

Mac or PC?
I prefer Mac, but currently using pc as well.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
Its bigfootdzine. But I prefer Instagram, Facebook and Behance for both, Hastalikhit and Bigfoot Dzine.