Designer Interview
16 questions
By education, I have a technical background. But from my childhood, I have a strong affinity for arts and creativity. I completed my Diploma in Fine Arts when I was in 12th standard.
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?
By education, I have a technical background. But from my childhood, I have a strong affinity for arts and creativity. I completed my Diploma in Fine Arts when I was in 12th standard. Then while in college, I along with my closest friends Manali das and Avishek Saha decided to start something of our own. And we started as the creative entrepreneurs. I always like to create things, may be little, but it gives me immense joy everytime I create something. This is not that I've always wanted to be a designer in a professional point of view, it just happened. But I firmly believe that our life is a canvas and we have our lifetime to design it.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Graphixstory is a storytelling and motion-design studio from Kolkata, India. It was established in 2016 and started its operation commercially from March 2017. A newbie of course. As a Graphixstorian we believe that everything we put into the world is a statement of our taste. So we deeply care about our designs and what we craft.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love to animate stories which inspire us/ our society to take action or give us a feeling of joy or peace.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The very first thing I designed and animated for my studio Graphixstory is 'Magical Forest'. In this tiny video, I've tried to capture a little piece of nature and it's motions in an interesting way with the application of unusual colors. Check it here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/49985527/Magical-Forest
When do you feel the most creative?
I feel most creative when I feel any emotion from the core of my heart. I'm creative when my mind is full of joy and peace, I'm also creative when I spend my times with pain. But I believe that for creative people peace is a must-have criterion.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
In a commercial sense, our main focus is always usability and marketability of the design. Next, we focus deeply on the story and its elements which will make it live actually- shapes, colors, and motions.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Mostly joy. If you don't enjoy what you are doing you will end up creating mediocre design pieces. So at Graphixstory, we choose our clients carefully. We're not focused on more works but better works every day.
What makes a design successful?
A design is successful when it's purpose of creation is fulfilled.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Empathy, Quick adaptation to new technologies, Turn around time, Communication
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Generally, it takes at least 4 weeks to craft a 1-minute long animated story. It can take more times depending on complexities, scopes, and styles. It also may take lesser time to some cases. But 4 weeks for a 1-minute story is a standard time.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Mostly I've been asked about my process or procedure of starting a project and how I want to proceed to get the desired output.
What was your most important job experience?
CEO. CEO of a start-up means chief everything officer we all know and I completely agree. And when you are the CEO of your own company it always comes with extra responsibilities.
Who are some of your clients?
Facebook, Ogilvy, Snapchat, Etsy, Myntra, Hotstar, Absolut, BBC, Castrol, Teacher's, Nykaa, Tata Motors,
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Storytelling through animation and other immersive experiences like AR, VR, MR, etc.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I work with my team. Graphixstory is an integrated team of passionate storytellers, techies, art directors, illustrators, and motion designers/animators.
How can people contact you?
Simply say 'Hi' at surajit@graphixstory.com
