We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tarini Sharma a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tarini, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been a full-time designer and collage artist since I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2021. I started as a designer at the SoHo-based design studio, With Projects, Inc., and am currently a designer at Assouline Publishing. Collage, editorial design, and brand identity have been the primary focus of my creative journey. Analyzing cultural phenomena is the cornerstone of my creative practice and visual narrative.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At a time when no industry, creative or otherwise, is untouched by the extreme globalization and the
technological boom, I aim to breathe soul into the “process.” Growing up in an environment (Delhi) where local crafts were the norm for consumption, respecting the craft of the product became essential to my practice. Using tactile materials and conceptually integrating the authentic sentiment of a product is paramount. My approach to “problem-solving” often involves contextualizing a product or service in the current climate and its historical significance. I received my BFA from the School of Visual Arts in Design, which helped me hone my skills as a creative thinker. Working as a designer in New York City has been a pivotal point in my creative career.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My vision for my work is rooted in intentional creation, where intellectual value arises from engaging honestly and with integrity in the process. This approach leads me to explore the essence of existence, particularly in contexts where solutions go beyond problem-solving or market needs. It raises a fundamental question: why does something exist?

When my hands cut and paste, when my back hurts from crouching over a cutting table for too long, when each decision is as methodical as it is organic. It is my way of connecting to the beauty that resides in the core. The beauty that makes us as much a part of nature as it makes us an observer.

My work is integral to my identity and philosophy, reflecting the principles by which I live and learn. In its complexity, it embodies my mission and the multifaceted nature of who I am.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Originality is an often lauded talent. My formal education did not differ. I have found observation to be a far greater talent than most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tarinisharma.org
• Instagram: @tarini.design

Image Credits

All the images are copyrighted by Tarini Sharma.