Making a Splash

ISSUE: 142

As an independent art director, Karan Gujar focuses on creating the most appropriate response for clients through reflective design

How does recognition on online platforms affect you as an artist?

KG: Gaining recognition on platforms like Behance is a very rewarding feeling, but with that comes a lot of pressure. People who follow my work have a lot of expectations. Although keeping up is hard, it also pushes me to keep doing better and come up with something new each time. It gives me a chance to be my own inspiration and compete with myself.

Share your experience of working with various studios.

KG: While pursuing my design education six years ago, I had started working for studios, agencies and different companies and have had a fair share of good and bad experiences in the industry. When I first entered the design industry, I realized I had been living in a delusion. Design school definitely teaches you substantial skills but what we see afterwards is very different. I learnt the hard way but it was a necessary process I had to go through. It helped me to be open to very different perspectives as well as criticism, which I am grateful for. The way I worked, my thought and design processes, work-life balance – I took away something new with each experience, be it good or bad. All these experiences have eventually shaped and tweaked me into the designer I am today.

How challenging is it to work as an independent art director?

KG: Every person you meet has a different mindset and not many people are open to new ideas. As an art director, it is easy for me to visualize and come up with new concepts, but it is difficult for clients to understand my thought process. So, communication is a challenge when it comes to being an art director, and it is always going to be challenging. With time and experience however you learn the right way to put your ideas across and make it a successful collaboration!

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