We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Devyani Mahadevan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Devyani below.

Devyani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have worked on is Street View, my graduate thesis at MICA. Street View celebrates the perpetual evolution of urban streets by zooming in and out on everyday details through four different projects. I wanted to explore a subject that was ubiquitously accessible, and since I had a habit of photographing small details on the streets back home in Chennai, the idea naturally evolved to focus on streets. Through Street View, I explored how the smallest elements of everyday life like type on manhole covers, street patterns, and road maps tell a story of constant change. It became a way to document my surroundings while familiarizing myself with this new place. The project also became an exercise in learning to integrate the momentarily interesting details I had photographed into my design work, making them just as meaningful to the audience.
For my essay, I spoke to five street documentarians from different professions, each with their own fascinating perspective, which kept me motivated because their work and insights reinforced the value in the subject.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multidisciplinary designer with a background in visual arts. My interest in art and design started during my undergraduate studies, where the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the art world became interesting, alongside its striking visuals. After graduating, I gained practical experience as a designer through practice, feedback, and design books. After the pandemic, I pursued my MFA in graphic design at MICA.
I have come to understand that graphic design is inherently multidisciplinary, and I enjoy exploring various formats, mediums, and styles to find effective ways to solve problems and tell brand stories. I believe even the smallest details can hold a story worth telling, and I bring that mindset to all my work. Whether it’s crafting a brand’s identity or designing type, my goal is always to create work that holds meaning.
I’m especially grateful for my time at MICA, where I had the opportunity to learn from exceptional professors. Looking ahead, I hope to continue learning from and collaborating with talented individuals, while pursuing opportunities to make meaningful work.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I’m unlearning is the habit of impatiently hyper-focusing on specific plans and losing sight of the big picture. I am trying to remind myself to trust the process, be patient, and take care of myself along the way. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m learning to embrace uncertainty.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Moving to the US after spending my entire life in Chennai was one of my biggest challenges. While I’m certainly not the first to do it, and I moved out later in life than most, the ease and comfort of home suddenly disappeared. Everything felt new and unfamiliar, and it took me a long time to adjust, especially since it was my first time living away from home. But it got better over time—Now, Baltimore feels like home too, and I am learning to create a sense of home wherever I move next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://devyanimahadevan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devyanimahadevan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devyanimahadevan/