Meet Kavya Sridhar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kavya Sridhar.

Hi Kavya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Things that interest and intrigue me have changed over time, but my sensitivity and fascination for all things art and design have been constant. As a child, I distinctly remember being drawn towards well-designed food packaging at supermarkets while glossing over those that didn’t quite make the cut – my cut!

As I grew older, a routine question was, “How can I make this better?” I used to redesign my run-of-the-mill notebook covers and attach my own page dividers, tabs, and folder flaps so that I could insert papers and easily find specific notes. I was always on the lookout for opportunities to leave things better than I found them, and this became an all-consuming hobby.

The first time someone asked me to design creatives for an event, I remember thinking “Wait, people actually like what I do to entrust me with work?!”. This one positive affirmation propelled me towards a future in art and design. My professional journey began with my undergraduate studies in Visual Communication, where I embraced a more holistic approach to design. It was there that my fascination with allied creative domains like photography and motion media design ignited.

Following that, I began to seek a deeper understanding of graphic design’s relevance in today’s world, which brought me to SCAD around 2 years ago for my Master’s in Graphic Design. Surrounded by inspiring individuals and diverse perspectives, the path to finding my footing as a designer has been both challenging and immensely gratifying. Each day, I wake up with a thirst for creativity and discovery, passionate about the endless possibilities of design.

I am currently an intern at Inspire Brands for Design and Branding, where I have the wonderful opportunity to work with renowned brands like Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, and Buffalo Wild Wings among others. Getting to work as a creative designer with brands I’ve known my entire life has been an incredibly gratifying experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming from a family of engineers meant that I had to carve my own path in unchartered territory. Finding the right resources was initially a struggle given that design education wasn’t quite mainstream in Chennai; the city I come from in India. These challenges increased my resolve to seek what I needed and do the best with what was available.

Enrolling at SCAD was one of the best decisions I ever made, as it exposed me to a world of opportunities and learning, unlike anything I had encountered before. However, getting used to a new place, and schedule, and excelling academically simultaneously was undoubtedly overwhelming. Yet, with time, I found my stride, and this diverse community now feels like home. The challenges were tough, but overcoming them showed me that I’m more resilient and adaptable than I thought.

Interestingly, the very challenge of being away from home sparked one of my most cherished projects: “A Way Home,” which recently received an IDA Bronze Award. This project took the form of an interactive data visualization website where I meticulously tracked my phone calls, moods, activities done outside my routine, and anything that affected my homesickness.

The goal was to gather data to deepen my self-understanding and present the findings in an engaging visual format. Additionally, the final prototype includes a feature allowing users to generate personalized digital postcards containing the infographic of a specific day, perfect for sending to loved ones who are far away. This project reinforced my confidence in the power of design in addressing everyday challenges.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary designer, deeply committed to leveraging various design mediums such as graphic design, motion design, and photography to create holistic, immersive experiences. My focus lies in brand and visual identity design, where I find ways to visually tell the stories of brands through design. One aspect I hold in high regard is my strong work ethic.

Being a designer who is also a practitioner of classical art forms from a young age forged me into a path of discipline, persistence, punctuality, and unwavering attention to detail. A recent highlight for me was the opportunity to collaborate with Adobe and SCADpro as one of 21 students selected to work on a real-time project with them for a duration of two weeks. This experience allowed me to further refine my skills and broaden my perspective in the field of design.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the ever-evolving landscape of graphic and brand design, I personally feel like sustainability has (thankfully) taken center stage. This includes various aspects of the design process, including the use of eco-friendly materials and production methods, but most importantly designing for longevity which stands a huge benefit for both brands and the planet.

Another undeniable shift is the integration of AI with technologies like AR and VR to facilitate immersive, accessible design. This fusion not only enhances consumer engagement but also aligns with the growing emphasis on authenticity and storytelling.

I believe that fostering human-centered connections and experiences between brands and consumers is an enduring trend that will only strengthen in the coming decade. Within the creative industry, I feel like there is a perpetual pursuit of enhancing experiences in innovative ways and I am excited to witness how this manifests in various forms in the years ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kavyasridhar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designbykavya/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavya-sridhar-6ab04820b/