Anup Dahale, a Communication Designer with a passion for creating immersive and interactive experiences, has carved a unique path in the world of design. From his early education in Kolhapur to his time at MITID Indore, Anup’s journey has been defined by his curiosity, creativity, and desire to make the world more engaging through design. With a diverse portfolio ranging from hand sketching to brand design, typography, and travel photography, Anup’s approach blends cultural exploration and visual identity. In this interview, he shares insights into his creative process, influences, and vision for the future.
Hi Anup, could you share a bit about your background, education, and the journey that led you to become a designer, culminating in your role as Executive of Creative Solutions?
Anup is my name. I am a native of Pune, Maharashtra. I grew up and completed my primary education in Kolhapur before moving to Pune for further studies. Currently, I am a Communication Designer who graduated from MITID Indore. I am learning ways to make the world more interactive and enjoyable for all species. Initially, my goal was to become an Indian Army Lieutenant through the NDA, but I unfortunately missed out. I told myself, "It's okay; it happens," and my dream moved to becoming a skilled designer. I consider myself extremely fortunate that I had the opportunity to study at a design institution and grow with such lovely and creative individuals. I studied Communication Design for four years as part of my bachelor's degree. Aside from my degree, observation, communication, and exploration helped shape me into the person I am today. Professionally, they helped me in earning the position of Executive of Creative Solutions at one of India's leading creative studios, which has a diverse work base and portfolio similar to mine. Being happy with my career and profession is important to me at this time!
Your work spans a wide range of areas, from hand sketching to digital illustration and visual identity. How do you approach combining these diverse skills in your projects?
My work process involves starting with a mind map and then going through important processes such as brainstorming, referencing, ideation, benchmarking, and implementing the final design with the right conceptualisation. In simpler terms, I begin by creating rough hand sketches of every idea that comes to mind. If it's going to be a digital solution, I digitalise some shortlisted ideas. Finally, I enhance them by adding identity and visual elements that support my ideas. All of these phases help me develop effective and exciting solutions to any problems or briefs.
Your portfolio showcases projects that range from brand design to publication and typeface design. Which project has been your favourite so far, and why?
I don't have a specific favorite field; my interests span a wide range of design sectors. However, I am particularly drawn to type design and typography, especially with Devanagari characters. Typeface design gives me a greater sense of purpose and understanding to work on. The interesting and varied shapes of letters, as well as their anatomy, inspire me to create even more distinctive and engaging content for the audience. Beyond my personal passion, I believe that Indian languages and scripts are incredibly beautiful and deserving of more attention from the rest of the world. I am striving to raise awareness about these languages and scripts and share what needs to be heard!
Travel photography and cultural exploration are listed among your interests. How have these experiences influenced your design style and creative process?
I've always been attracted and influenced by Indian culture, which is vibrant and welcoming in nature. Indian styles and their breadth inspire my creativity. If you look closely at my works, you will notice the fundamental aspects of our culture and patterns. I incorporate the spirit of Indian beauty into phases and components; this allows my work to stand out and create a difference in terms of solutions. Some of my projects have yet to be published, however they are all based on Indian themes. I feel It is essential in the profession of design to take breaks from routine. You need to freshen up your head and heart to accomplish innovative design stuff in. As a result, travel photography allows me to take a mental vacation from my work life and keeps me motivated and engaged while I'm on the road!
Can you discuss any particular designers or artists who have influenced your work, and how they have shaped your creative outlook?
In the first year of my bachelor's degree, when I first began my design journey. I wasn't sure which aspect, like communication, UIUX, or industrial, I should focus on or how to move forward. So, the professors at MITID, Indore or Avantika University helped me sort this out. Next, among many other Indian designers, I'm always inspired by "Kimaya Gandhi, Yash Pradhan, Sarang Kulkarni, then studios like Ektype, Universal Thirst, Bombay Duck Designs, Eeksaurus" I follow a lot of painters and photographers. I can therefore gain a thorough understanding of the design field by observing their processes, results, and visual style. My artistic perspective is far more polished and up to date now than it was.
How do you see your design practice evolving in the future? Are there any new areas or projects you're excited to explore?
In the future, I want to look into as many areas as I can, but they should also help in my skill development. My current areas of interest are apparel and typeface design. These two domains enable me to do as many studies as I like and assist in the professionalisation of my expertise. Though I'm not really sure what I'll do in the upcoming years, I am confident that anything I decide will be appropriate and true for both me and my surroundings.
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