ariane thakore ginwala

Specialized in Design.

ariane thakore ginwala

About ariane thakore ginwala

ariane is a furniture designer. Don't really consider her self relevant or important, but does like to make furniture which would make people feel happy and comfortable.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with ariane thakore ginwala

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?
I was inclined towards art since an early age and it began when my family home was being re-done when I was about 12 and I knew that this is the world I wanted to be a part of. I went on to work with the designer that was re-doing my house at age 17 and after finishing my master’s degree in Economics, I went to Kent Institute of Art& Design to study Spatial Design.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
After coming back from Kent, I went back to the very designer that had inspired me as a child to gain some work experience for a couple of years and then started my very own deisgn studio.
What is "design" for you?
Aesthetically functional, ergonomically efficient and above all, sustainable.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Furniture rooted in vernacual design but reinterpreted for a contemporary space.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
There are too many, you can’t ask a mother to pick a favourite.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I am out in the nature, when I am in heritage spaces or around antiquities.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Nervousness and apprehension yet a sense of positivity and excitement
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Being as sustainable as possible in their designs and to not deplete the resources they are offered by nature.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
It was in April of 2019 in Chennai & Bangalore. My next exhibit is going to be the Architectural Digest Design Show tentatively in October.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
At the end of the day, nature is the ultimate source of inspiration for any artist. Our most acclaimed collection, ‘The Forest Collection’ was inspired by my recent travels to the Borneo Rainforest. The Turkey Tail Table itself was inspired by the mushrooms, fungi and the micro-ecology of the forest
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Vernacularly contemporary and that’s my instinctive approach to design and my own style.
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?
I live in India in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It influences me heavily in every aspect.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I begin with observation. If something catches my eye, I explore the form, colors and textures and translate those into furniture pieces.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I wake up early and have a cup of coffee. Do breathing exercises, go for a walk. Have the most important meal of the day, breakfast. Get to work and shuttle between the studio and the workshop. Evenings are for Pilates and end the day with some Netflix and reading.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Trust your gut. Work on your instincts. Don’t get swamped up in trends but forge a path for your own style.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
There are no negatives. You get to start every day with a blank canvas and have such creative freedom that ultimately it liberates and heals me as a person.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Sketching, understanding of proportions, Creative and functional visualization and the knack for business and execution.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I am very old school. I use paper and pencil, even an eraser because we all make mistakes.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
With extreme focus, immaculate coordination and an impeccable team that is the backbone of the company.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It varies. Sometimes, you get it right at one go, sometimes it can take several reiterations
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Furniture work that has its basis in hand-crafting techniques. I am not a huge fan of technology and machine production.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
To develop more collections for This and That and eventually build a vocational center to breathe life into dying techniques of hand-crafting like inlay, mosaic and metal-work.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
We are working on a new wildlife experiential hotel project which is going to be really interesting for the Indian market.
How can people contact you?
Instagram: thisandthatindia Facebook: thisandthatindia Website: thisandthat.in Email: connect@thisandthat.in

Extended Interview with ariane thakore ginwala

Which emotions do you feel when designing?
We design all kinds of furniture- chairs, coffee tables, beds, consoles and wish to design more of the same.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer can design beautiful things but a great designer will design beautiful things which are also functional and agronomical.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I am currently realizing my dream project with a Wildlife Experiential Project.
Who is your favourite designer?
The ‘Forest Collection’ is my greatest collection. The translation of the micro-ecology of the forest into the furniture was not only an exhilarating design process but I enjoyed every bit of the execution too.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
It’s my family, my team at work, the craftsmen I work with. It’s a lot of people.

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