I’m very proud to introduce our spotlight designer for February, Shivangi Rathi because although she’s fairly new to the industry, her delightful design style and go-getter attitude means there’s a lot we can learn from her. I hope you enjoy her interview!

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Please Introduce Yourself

My home studio is based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan India. I started working in surface design in 2018, specifically illustrating greeting cards and postcards.

Tell us a little bit about your design journey.

My love for drawing and crafts (where my inspiration lies) has been a huge influence on me since I was a little girl. It was my dream to be an artist. So after 10th grade, I joined a diploma course in Animation and Advanced VFX from Arena Animation. After the completion of the course, I started freelancing in motion graphics in 2016. But I had the urge to see my illustrations on products so I started surface designing in 2018.

What did you struggle with most as a new designer?

The negotiation and contract process with the clients was definitely the thing I struggled with most.

What advice about the surface design industry has been most helpful to you in your career so far?

To check with the client about how long they will use my design relating to pricing and contracts. I didn’t give much thought at first about how long my design should be used until I watched Skillshare classes about art licensing, namely Shannon McNab’s Finding Buyers for Your Art class, plus ones from Kristina Hultkrantz and Anne Bollman.

What has been your favorite client collaboration to date and how did you find them?

My project with a jewelry shop, Common Hall, who collaborated with me for Christmas greeting cards which they sent with their products over the holidays.

Another one I’m proud of is working with a small business owner who wanted to sell a batch of everyday and occasional cards, so I designed a birthday, congratulations, and graduation day card for him.

When you look back at your design journey so far, what are you most proud of?

I am improving my style and conversations with clients. I love that I am not fixed on just one thing and can explore different markets, styles, and trends.

Where do you see yourself in your career three years from now?

I want to get my art licensed on a number of products along with eventually getting represented by an illustration agency.

What advice would you give to surface designers who are struggling?

I’m not sure what advice I can give right now as I’m still very new to the industry. But I would say just keep going, keep exploring different markets and your art style, watch classes on Skillshare, and experiment a lot.

And most importantly
have fun with the process!

Where can we find you?

Website: www.behance.net/shivangirathi
Instagram: @_rosettestudio_

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P.S. If you’d like to be featured on the SDR blog, you can always submit your story right here!