Interview with Abhijeet Thakur

Abhijeet Thakur ("AT") interviewed on Monday, 16 November.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

AT : I have completed my bachelor's degree in advertising and my master's degree in graphic design. I have been in the industry for 4 years now. I have worked for some great clients like Art Antiquaa, Tiepograph, May & Co., etc.

How did you become a designer?

AT : Ever since I was a kid I was always intrigued by a brand's ability to influence a person's decision making. I wanted to know how colours and designs make a fictitious persona of a brand and we perceive it as a real person. This curiosity became my passion and later into my profession.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

AT : When designing a new project the first thing I invest my most time into is coming up with a unique concept and an overall brand experience for the customer. I always try to lay some boundaries about how far can we push the concept and then try to merge and experiment with different aspects/key points of design. I usually try to physically print out or make an actual model and then do a photoshoot to present my work.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

AT : Designing in itself is a wholesome experience. The sheer joy and excitement of watching a brand go from a thought to a full-fledged product is very satisfying. The most exciting part of designing is when you add colours, typography, illustrations etc to develop the characteristics of a brand and watching your creation take form.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

AT : I have been performing and trying my luck at standup comedy which I think adds to my design process as I come up with witty punchlines and visual puns which always adds a fun element and a greater customer experience.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

AT : My current goal is to start my own branding agency where we would provide customers wholesome brand experiences and dynamic brand identity systems where a brand would transcend the conventional bonds and would be able to serve and indulge more in peoples lives. As far as my personal growth as a designer goes I want to get into motion, 3D and augmented reality designing so I can make designs that people can experience.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

AT : Always deliver on time and always deliver more than what is expected of you, it helps in forming meaningful and longterm relations with clients and fellow designers. Perform self-critique on your designs but never fall for self-doubt. And the most important advice don't forget to smile.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

AT : I won't consider myself a very successful designer, but I am getting there. Because persistence is the key to success. Always deliver more than what is expected of you. Always try to merge two concepts and experiment, that might help you come up with an amazing new idea. Build long-term and meaningful relations with your peers, reach out to them for help or lend a helping hand if they need any assistance. And always stay positive and never forget to smile.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

AT : Design trends are just a list/set of designs that are popular you are in no way obligated to follow them, they are just some designs that look fresh this year so they are trending. If you want to incorporate them into your designs you can use them for trendy posters or something that is this year exclusive. There are many ways for you to stay up to date in terms of design trends there are youtube videos, there are blogs about design trends, there are also certain online competitions where you have to create artworks according to current design trends.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

AT : A well-designed project is when you see the design without any prior knowledge of that this product/service exists and you understand what it is all about without googling it or any other additional help. When your design communicates with all of your target audience as well as catches the eye of other people who might become your customers.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

AT : Yes for me a project never really ends I always reopen the last updated file after a few months and start improving the design even further because you evolve as a designer and I believe in evolving my designs with me as I go on. If it is a client project I will deliver the best deliverable till the point when I can make the last change but even for those designs I make a copy of the design and try to experiment with the style and see how further can this design be pushed it is never published or used anywhere but it is for me to see how far can I take this project.

What is your biggest design work?

AT : There isn't a single project that is my favourite because I lake my different designs for different reasons. My post-graduation project was to rebrand a branding agency called Tiepograph, also I was doing my internship there. I am also working on a neo-Indian streetwear brand which is cofounded by me and my brother. I am also woking on my own branding agency which will be launched soon.

Who is your favourite designer?

AT : One of my favourite designers is Alan Fletcher who was also one of the founders of Pentagram. I am inspired by his work, his stories and love reading all the books he has authored my most favourite being The art of looking sideways. I also admire Chris Do he is a great teacher and entrepreneur. Love the work of Paula Sher her works of typography amaze me every time I see them.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

AT : I am an Indian designer so, colours and vibrant designs are all around me. If you walk around on the streets of India you can spot trucks handpainted with the local saying written on them (some positive some witty) You will find hand-painted posters for new movies or circus on a giant billboard. You will find beautiful carvings on temples to idols of gods in them fabricated in stone with jewels ingrained in them. Music is a very important part of Indian culture with over 22 main languages spoken in India there is a plethora of melodies available for you to listen. Which helps me a lot in my design process as each invokes a different feeling.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

AT : Yes, I have received positive feedback from people that I am fun to work with. It is because I believe in giving complete creative freedom in the conceptualization phase to anyone working for me because you never know they might have an amazing concept for the project. I believe that teamwork creates dreamwork. I believe that all designers should be adaptive, should accept constructive criticism, they should be accepting towards all belives, races, opinions and individuals.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

AT : I work closely with an NGO called Artists with animals where we help the government stop the trade of animal hair brushes which are ban in India. We also help the government in stopping the trade of illegal animal hides as we work in collaboration with different national park rangers in India.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

AT : A' Design Award is the first international award that I have won, I am very proud of this achievement. After I posted this on my social media and added to my resume I have received inquiries for many job opportunities and freelance projects. I had to up my skills to qualify and win an award in this prestigious competition which has been an amazing learning opportunity for me. It is my honour to be the designer of the day.

Abhijeet Thakur Profile