Hasta La Creative!

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Hi, I am Shwetha, I am a Graphic Designer, avid reader and an anime lover. I have been working as a Graphic Designer for about 5 years now, saying it out loud just makes me realize that time has really gone by since I started working in this field. ??

Why are you a Graphic Designer??
So this question is a first for me! I have been into art and design practically all my life, but I happened to fall into Graphic Design by accident. It’s not a general notion in Indian Households to encourage professions in the arts, so I stumbled into Graphic design in college, and I have been in love ever since.??

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I pursued by Bachelors in Visual Communication at MOP Vaishnav College for Women, in Chennai. It was this course that introduced me to the world of Graphic Design and I was hooked ever since. I am currently looking to pursue my Masters in Design from La Salle University, Singapore??You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop?your style??I probably started figuring out my design style during my Internship at Smudge Design Studio. I had joined there as an intern after my first year and they introduced me to the basics of design, design language and style. My style of Design includes a lot of colour, and is heavily influenced by Indian art and Indian art forms. A lot of my designs include Indian elements in a modern and contemporary art form. It took me around 2-3 years to develop my style, and I would still say it’s in the nascent stages, and there is much room for growth. Design styles are every evolving as the trends change, but my roots would always be in Indian art styles.

How did you focus so much on graphic illustrations? When did you realise you loved doing it and wanted more of it?
?I think I realised I loved graphic design, when the very first design I made during my internship – A wedding invite designed like a playing card- was completed. It was wonderful to see my sketch get digitized, and seeing the final printed card literally was the most rewarding part of weeks of design. In fact, I still have that card stored safely, that was the start of this journey which led me to wanting more.
?Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up??My role model while growing up would be my grandfather. I actually lost him when I was pretty young, but I always admired him, his work ethics, and the way he encouraged me to do whatever made me happy

Who was the most influential personality on your career in graphic?design?
I believe my first team at Smudge greatly influenced my graphic design career. From teaching me the basics, to the way I ideate to even the way I design, I believe they greatly helped shape me into the designer I am.?

When did you start freelancing?
I started freelancing around 4 years ago. It was right after Covid happened, the agency I was working at shut down and I had a lot of clients that started requesting I freelance with them directly. It started then and it has been continuing till last month. Last month, Jan 2024, I officially registered my company – Cosmo Digital & Design Studio along with my partner. ??

Was there any time when you wanted to quit graphic design?
No, I have been interested in art, drawing and design ever since I was a kid, and making a living from the thing I enjoy has always been a dream, and I believe I am lucky enough to be able to follow this dream.

Are many advertising agencies hiring graphic designers? Do you work more?with agencies or publishers or direct clients??
Advertising agencies are always looking to hire graphic designers. There is a surplus of design work, and people are always looking out for designers. I work with clients directly, I believe freelancing with an agency is always a bit difficult, whereas coordinating with clients directly make sure nothing is lost in translation
?
Do you have clients who give you steady work or do you advertise for new?clients often???
I currently have clients working with me on a monthly retainer. Generally my clients refer me to new clients, and work has been progressing this way for the past couple of years!

How do you market yourself??
I do have an Instagram page, but that is more of a place where I sketch and illustrate rather than show my client work. I do get illustration enquiries from there. Behance is another platform I get enquiries from for work. Behance is a great platform for many artists and freelancers.

Any other Indian graphic designers who you admire?
I really love the typography work done by Mr. R.K. Joshi. He is a designer that designed the Indian fonts in Windows!

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you?advise them to take on graphic design as a career option?
If you love art, have an eye for the aesthetic I would definitely recommend taking design as a career option. As a creative professional, I think it is always important to keep on the trend. Design is always changing and evolving, and new trends come and go, it is important to stay on top of trends, but make sure your mark, your uniqueness lies in your design as well.

Do you think Clients are opening up to keeping aside a decent respectable budget for design work? Do you think clients are?understanding that they need to invest in Design as a communication tool and also to cut the clutter, and that good design comes at a price?
?There are different types of clients from what I have seen so far. Some clients understand the importance of design, whereas some as yet to comprehend the work and the impact of a good design. I believe clients are opening up to keeping aside a decent budget for design work, but compared to international standards, I believe India is still on the lower end of the price range, as a freelancer at least.

Mac or PC??
Mac for me !
?
Who would you like to take out for dinner?
I would like to take graphic designer Jessica Walsh for dinner. I love love her style of work, bold design that doesn’t hesitate to make its point. I would love to have a conversation with her and learn so much from her.

What’s on your iPod? Spotify?
Golden Hour is my most played at the moment. And Blue Bird from Naruto xD??

Whats your Twitter Handle? Instagram?
I’m on Instagram at @shwetharajaart and my company on @cosmostudio.official

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