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Interview with Arani Halder |
Home > Designer Interviews > Arani Halder |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Arani Halder (AH) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Arani Halder by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
AH: My earliest memories interacting with art and design are those of watching my father paint. I fell in love with sketching, drawing and painting from looking at him working on numerous paintings over the years. My love of art never waned and, in fact, brought me to New York, where I discovered my passion for design. This is where I learned to take my artistic abilities and combine it with purpose, practicality and functionality. Having been introduced to pure and applied design here, I was able to experiment with different materials and techniques that let my fine art meld with the accessibility of design. Design gave me the tools and platform needed to visually represent my thoughts on language, culture, semiotics and psychology. It also gave me access to a community of inspiring mentors and talented peers who showed me different perspectives that pushed me to create work that I would have never imagined.
FS: What is "design" for you?
AH: Design is something that has the power to influence society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time. It is a universal language, and offers powerful opportunities to express our common humanity, challenge assumptions, spark conversation, connect diverse people and promote action for positive change. It can be used to raise awareness and shape the way we think about our society. It can also instill empathy, build a sense of community and challenge various social and cultural oppressions. Essentially, design can change people and in turn, change the world.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AH: I love creating work that explores the connections between language, culture, pluralism and is heavily influenced by my experiences. In addition to traditional graphic design, I have experimented with diverse media such as bookmaking, bookbinding, print making, painting, sculpture and even cooking to portray my ideas and message. I believe that I am equal parts artist and designer, in the sense that my work while being artistic and conceptual is produced into work with a designer’s sensibility that aims to tackle the issues at hand. My goal is to inspire people to look more carefully at the world around them, and to be able to contextualize themselves within larger systems.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
AH: Though I am an early riser, I have created some of my best work after sun down. I find that evenings and nights are more peaceful and there are less distractions; which allows me to give my undivided attention to my work. I like to start out my projects with a lot of research and analysis on the topics that drive the piece. I like making a lot of preliminary rough sketches and experimenting with color and materials before actually diving into the project. Though I am someone who prefers to plan things out, a lot of my work ends up being created more spontaneously and organically.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AH: I spend a lot of time researching and gathering information about the concept that drives any particular project. Researching helps me gain insights into the needs, preferences, and behavior of the people who will use the product or service. This crucial information enables me to create work that is relevant, effective, and innovative. My design process also typically involves multiple iterations and refinements to improve the design and ensure that it meets the goals and requirements.
FS: What makes a design successful?
AH: There are several factors that can make a design successful. A successful design should effectively address the needs of the user or client and be easy to use. In addition to being visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing, it should engage the viewer and create an emotional response. The design should also be flexible and adaptable, able to be used in different contexts and adapted to different needs.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AH: While judging a design, the most important aspect to consider is whether the design effectively fulfills its intended purpose and is functional. It should address the needs of the user or client and be easy to use. It should be intuitive and easy to use and navigate, whilst bringing a fresh perspective to the problem at hand. Finally, the design should be culturally sensitive and appropriate for its intended audience, taking into account cultural norms and values.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AH: I believe that design has a powerful ability to communicate ideas and influence people’s perceptions and attitudes. By incorporating sociopolitical themes into my work, designers can raise awareness, promote understanding and drive positive change. Socially motivated design is also about creating products and services that promote inclusivity and equity, while also addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by different communities. By designing with empathy and challenging assumptions and stereotypes, socially motivated design can help promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Incorporating sociopolitical themes into design work can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By creating work that engages with important social issues, we can make a positive impact on society and inspire others to do the same.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AH: Designers nowadays have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their work, as design has a powerful influence on people’s perceptions, behaviors and values. We should be asking ourselves some essential questions such as: Who will be affected by this design? What are the potential consequences of this design? How does this design align with ethical and moral values? We should be pushing ourselves to create designs that are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of factors such as age, gender, race or ability. This can include considerations such as using inclusive language, designing for different accessibility needs and avoiding cultural stereotypes. Designers have a critical role to play in creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also ethical and socially responsible. By considering the ethical implications of our work, we can create designs that have a positive impact on individuals and society.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AH: My last exhibition was an exhibition called Femmes Ensemble, hosted by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC). Femmes Ensemble was a national juried exhibition of works by women in support of women. People, Period. designed by me and fellow artist Anamika Ananth was displayed at this exhibition. I am looking forward to hold my next exhibition sometime this year.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AH: I am inspired by a vast variety of things; they can be anything from people, books, news, music, travel, emotions, memories to other artists and their work. I love talking to different people, understanding their practice and techniques and learning about their interests and thoughts. I also try to observe object around me at a micro level; the symmetry/asymmetry, colors, textures, patterns etc. around us are often times a hidden source of inspiration. The social and political state of the world is also an important source of creativity for me. I try to incorporate concepts like pluralism and autonomy in my work as a means to open windows into the lives of diverse people and the broader socio-political movements that shape them.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
AH: I currently live in New York, but I was born in Kolkata and have spent my formative years in Delhi, India. Having grown up in India, most of the art, design and culture I was exposed to was primarily South Asian. Most South Asian art is extremely rich and diverse, not just in terms of mediums and materials but also the content they depict. I have experimented with a lot of these diverse mediums such as fabrics, papers and inks. At the same time, my art also draws on a lot of social and political issues prevalent in India. I aim to use my work to engage in the current social discourse and use it as a means of cultural and political expression.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AH: One of the most important things to be aware of is to be open to criticism. Design is subjective, and not everyone will love your work. Use constructive criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow. Criticism from others can help us identify these blind spots and see our work from a fresh perspective. Being open to criticism also shows that you are committed to producing the best possible work and are willing to take constructive feedback to achieve that goal. Also, success in graphic design, like any other industry, takes time, hard work and dedication. Be patient, stay focused on your goals, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things!
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AH: I believe the design world is filled with innumerable talented and inspiring people. I have met multiple fellow artists and mentors who have really helped build the artist I am today. There is a great sense of comradery and support amongst the members of the art world, as everyone can empathize with the shortcomings and struggles associated with it. It can be difficult to reach your target audience sometimes, opportunities are far and few compared to the amount of talent present. However, the key is to understanding your purpose, your calling, and present yourself and your work with unwavering confidence and conviction.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
AH: I believe that it is very important to find and work on one’s individuality as a designer. A lot of designers have their own signature techniques, mediums and aesthetic and I think it’s important to develop your own version of the above in order to find my purpose as a designer. I believe that we’re always in the process of building our identities; however, it helps to work on something every day, no matter how small.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AH: I am trying to work on more passion projects moving forward! I love collaborating with my fellow designers and artists and coming up with new and innovative ideas together. I also want to experiment with more unusual materials mediums and really push the boundaries of linguistic design.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AH: I like to work both independently and collaboratively based on the project. I have found that complex design challenges often require a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. When a problem cannot be easily solved within a single design discipline, it is important to approach it through a diverse range of perspectives in order to develop a comprehensive solution. Through a multidisciplinary approach, I have been able to develop a more well-rounded skillset, better collaboration and communication skills, and be more adaptable to changing design trends and technologies.
FS: How can people contact you?
AH: I can be contacted via my email aranihalder1@gmail.com or through my Instagram @arani.halder
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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