An Introduction – Ria Rajan

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - Robert A. Heinlein

The quote above aptly describes my beliefs as a designer. Having spent the better part of the last five years studying art and design, graduating from Srishti School of Art and Design, a progressive art and design school in Bangalore India, and working in the corporate sector has led me to believe that it really doesn’t matter what one has studied. It’s the application of what one has learnt that truly counts.

While I formally wear the tag of a Textile Designer, I see myself as nebulous mass with an intense curiosity about the confluence of technology, art, access to information and design. This entails both the functional and the aesthetic, as well as cultural and geographical influences on peoples understanding of the world and relationships.

I began my relatively nascent career at an art investment firm.  My role was that of their principal art advisor. While it was extremely interesting and I learnt a lot, I needed a vent for my creative pursuits. This came in the form of designing communication material for a group of restaurateurs, who run a number of restaurants, cafes and a club.  This helped me combine my love for illustration and communication design. It has been over 8 months now and I still have not run out of ideas. You can see some of my work here – www.coroflot.com/riarajan

My mini haitus from the corporate world is now giving me time to write, read, research and take stock. In a recent conversation with a former faculty member I was told that we – my peers and I, are part of an extremely fortunate group who can afford such luxuries. We harbour multiple interests and have access to the means to fulfill them. Writing for Designwala is one such avenue for me. Combining my love for the written word and sieving through the plethora of everyday innovations happening in this country. I believe that India has an unidentified wealth, waiting to be valued, and is in the midst of a translucent revolution that is fed by need and has an incredible ability to survive anything that comes her way.

I am looking forward to bringing you stories of stellar innovations that are taking place in my very own backyard, so to speak. For a life of a student is never really over. There is much to learn every single day. Watch this space.