Category Archives: Design

Desires in Clay

ISSUE: 132 While Sarban Choudhary’s life today revolves around clay, glazes and fire, he was once a reluctant ceramist! How did your tryst with ceramics begin? SC: I was born in a small town on the outskirts of Kolkata, and did my BFA and MFA in ceramic art at Government College of Art & Craft,…

Bringing Talent to Table

ISSUE: 132 Casual encounters with artisans in rural India took Kanupriya Verma on a path that veered from management studies to setting up a tableware brand that seeks to empower the country’s talented and often unrecognized craftsmen What role does culture play in your design approach? KV: We draw inspiration from the multitude and diversity…

A Different Canvas

ISSUE: 132 Mrunalini Rao’s eponymous label offers clothing ranging from luxurious bridal wear that resembles works of art to a sustainable prêt line that is her contribution to reducing waste How do Indian crafts influence your designs? MR: I love Indian crafts and I want to explore as many as possible through my work. My…

Drawing on Experience

ISSUE: 132 From being the sole illustrator at a small agency to becoming a partner in one that allows him the freedom to express, Nipen Bhuyan’s focus has always been on learning What does creativity mean to you? NB: Creativity is a form of self-expression of course. It can be extremely satisfying if, through our…

Inspired & Made in India

ISSUE: 131 Rikki Kher attributes the international success of his menswear brand to the consistent focus on presenting traditional Indian craft and textiles in a modern context What led to the birth of KARDO? RK: While running my sourcing business, I started to make some of my own clothes because I couldn’t find things I…

Idea of a better world

ISSUE: 131 As a design educator, Manika Walia is committed to helping students become creative problem-solvers Introduce us to the School of Creativity, Rishihood University. MW: As Founding Dean, School of Creativity, Rishihood University, I feel proud because it is the first school of creativity within a comprehensive university in India. We offer an innovative…

Giving design its due

ISSUE: 131 Revathi Kant heads the design arm of Titan Company. Her considerable experience in marketing and ability to strategize innovatively allows her to successfully integrate design with business. What does it take to design a consumer experience that shapes a brand? RK: The first and the most important step is an in-depth understanding of…

Brand Value

ISSUE: 130 A first-generation Indian American, Badal Patel believes her cultural influences add meaning and purpose to her work as a designer and creative director How has your cultural background shaped the way you design? BP: Design is about problem-solving and having different perspectives is always great when thinking of a solution. My hyphenated background…

Sowing the right seeds

ISSUE: 130 Arundhati Kumar combines Indian workmanship with innovative materials from across the world to create a line of truly sustainable accessories What took you from a 17-year career as an HR professional to setting up Studio Beej? AK: My journey of sustainability began a few years ago when I started to read more about…

Life in the slow lane

ISSUE: 128 Pallavi Shantam’s Buna label celebrates an easier pace of design and creation What inspires your creations? PS: Buna takes its inspiration from nature, art and vintage fashion. Our esthetic is rooted in interrupted harmonies of form. Within the silhouettes, we capture evocative feelings of space with details veiled and hidden underlinings or at…