ISSUE: 142
Simplifying complex information through art and design is Akash Halankar’s forte
As a multi-disciplinary artist and designer, how do you juggle various domains?
PS: The notion of creativity and design has always appealed to me. The freedom to explore and express oneself in the creative field has always piqued my interest. I pursued a Master’s in Applied Art at the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda. During my years there I learnt that a design has the power to solve complex problems or change people’s minds about things. My mentors helped me acquire the ability to visualize and illustrate ideas. Formal education adds value to humans. One must have an understanding and appreciation of not just design but all other aspects that go into blowing life into designs. It’s important that your suggested creative output makes business sense.
How do you approach designing a space?
AH: There are two ways to look at it, one is where I am designing a space for a client, and the other is more on a personal level (where I am designing a space for myself or an installation). When you are designing commercial spaces like restaurants, office spaces or urban spaces, understanding the client’s needs plays a crucial part. The company’s vision, people, location, and culture are all taken into account. It is then the job of the designer to efficiently express these in the designated space. Coming to personal projects and non-commercial work like murals, graffiti or art installations, it’s more about what I would want to express. It enables me to have a voice in my work. Often, my work explores my own experiences, memories, anecdotes and expressions that have made an impression on me. The space hence becomes a medium to express those impressions to the world with a bit of me in them.
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What would you advise youngsters pursuing a career in design?
AH: Get at least eight hours of sleep, drink lots of water, give utmost priority to your health and posture, and, the most important of all, manage your time. It is better to reach 10 minutes early than five minutes late.
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