Viewpoint
Life Beyond Design - Where Real Inspiration Begins
Three seasoned creatives reveal why stepping away from the screen often leads
to their best work.
Life beyond design looks different for every creative, but it’s often where their most honest ideas begin. For some, it’s travelling to new places and letting unfamiliar streets slow them down; for others, it’s evening walks, quiet rituals, good films, or simply sitting still long enough to breathe. We chat with Sandeep Menon, Shaizy Umar, and Yash Pradhan about what they do when they’re not working and how those moments of living, observing, wandering, or doing absolutely nothing end up shaping their work in surprising and meaningful ways.
What activity or habit outside of design brings the most joy or balance to your life, and why?
Sandeep. Travel! There’s nothing more rejuvenating to me than being immersed in a new culture and surrounded by new architecture, art, landscapes, people and food. I’ve been visiting at least one new country every year for the past decade (almost 45 countries now), and it’s been a blast!
Shaizy. For me, balance and joy often come from the simplest routines, like evening walks, sketching just for myself, or spending quiet moments with my loved ones. These small, ordinary moments anchor me and remind me that creativity doesn’t only live in deadlines or projects, it also lives in pauses. I find joy in stillness; walking after work or sketching aimlessly helps me return to myself and remember that I don’t always need to be “producing” something. Sometimes, the most creative thing you can do is simply slow down and feel present.
Yash. Spending time in small towns or nature-filled areas truly helps me reset. For the past month and a half, I’ve been in Togatta-Zao, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. I’ve been wandering around without a set plan, observing small details like the textures of old walls, shop signs, and the way light hits various objects at different times of the day. This experience slows everything down for me. I find that this sense of stillness and observation often influences my work. It’s not about actively searching for inspiration; rather, it’s about allowing inspiration to come to you when you take a moment to pause and not rush.
How do your interests - whether it’s travel, movies, meditation, or something else influence your creative thinking or approach to projects?
Sandeep. I’m a huge movie buff! I still love going to theatres and watching movies on the big screen. The beautiful world building by all the artists never ceases to amaze me; it makes me feel like a kid again. The sets, costumes, vehicles - I observe and study everything in a movie, and I learn so much. I also love discovering new artists during my travels, which I feel is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Shaizy. I’m very observant of human behaviour - how people move, react, and express emotion. My evening walks, movies, and even music, especially hip-hop, all feed that curiosity. Walking helps me slow down and notice details - gestures, light, rhythm that later influence my characters. A street mural in a new city or a scene from a film stays with me, reminding me that every colour, frame, and movement carries meaning. Everything I enjoy outside design eventually finds its way back into my work in some form.
Yash. Travel plays a big role for me. Every place has its own rhythm, colour palette, and small quirks that quietly stick with you. I don’t go somewhere thinking “I’ll get ideas here”, but it naturally happens when you’re open to the experience. Movies, too, especially ones that pay attention to framing or mood, make me think about storytelling through visuals. Even something like meditation or just being still helps me step back and see things clearly. It’s all connected in a way; the more I live and notice, the more layered and honest the work becomes.
