We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aparna Krishnan Reshmy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aparna below.
Aparna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Some of us are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to practice what we have been learning and experimenting with since our childhood. This practice doesn’t simply manifest as muscle memory or the result of formal education. Instead, it allows us to connect the dots and transform abstract ideas and thoughts into tangible reality. For many, these concepts remain confined within their minds or the realm of their vast imagination. However, the ability to execute and visually bring an idea to fruition always originates from various sources for every designer and artist, as it did for me.
In retrospect, my parents were really cool; the coolest of them all. I grew up with the finest of creative resources that they could offer and that which I could get around me (stationary, materials, paints, tutors etc). If I wanted soft pastels at 9pm on a Tuesday night to finish my piece, it did not take them much convincing to make that trip for me even if it meant checking multiple outlets until we found the only stationary store that had it in stock. Their praise and motivation were never empty flattery or attempts to inflate my ego. Instead, they acknowledged my dedication, supported my experimentation, and appreciated my hard work. Regardless of how the end product turned out—whether it was bad, useless, or even ugly—they stood by me, seeking to understand my thought process and creative journey rather than simply evaluating the outcome. This unwavering support and belief in my abilities, even when I lacked confidence in myself, continues to be the driving force that pushes me to produce the best work that I can. Thanks to my parents’ honesty and growth mindset, I have developed the resilience to embrace critique, no matter how harsh it may be. I view criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than allowing failures to discourage me. Their influence has equipped me with the ability to welcome feedback from anyone, confident in my capacity to use it constructively. The ability to be adaptable and open to receiving critique is perhaps one of the most essential skills that one could develop in their creative journey. The power of adaptability does not just start when working with clients; it starts from the minute you chose to network (another very essential skill that will transform your art/design career)-you develop a skill in highlighting your strengths and wrapping up your shortcomings as potential learning opportunities; it really is only that deep.
I always like to think that an obstacle or struggle today can be solved tomorrow by first figuring out the root cause, followed by attempting to understand the steps that could help you solve the issue and then finding an even more efficient way to actually solve the issue by means of your own experimentation. It’s highly likely that most technical problems faced by designers have been encountered by others in the past; you can begin to understand how to solve your problem by just case-studying the designer who solved the issue and then doing it more efficiently in ways that make the most sense to you. But the most important thing to remember is to never gatekeep! By freely exchanging knowledge (either through the internet or by word of mouth), we contribute to the collective progress and advancement of the creative industry. By sharing your process and solutions, you also welcome collaborations and critique from other designers and artists who may resonate with your process and want to work with you to create amazing projects. This is how you keep going-by actively participating in the cycle of giving and receiving!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Of course! I’m Aparna Krishnan Reshmy, you can call me Aparna (pronounced: uh-purr-nah)! I’m a freelance digital designer, artist and student, currently based in New York City. I am originally from Kerala, India, but I grew up in Muscat, Oman. Both cultures and traditions from these places have a profound influence on my work, as well as my choice of colours and visual aesthetic (not to mention my affinity to certain fonts and design styles). Being a designer whose main medium of choice is that of digital design, I view the world as a pathfinder tool that converts visually appealing objects, arrangements, motifs or abstract thoughts into grids, compositions and code that can be replicated or imitated on a digital canvas; this is my power.
I wholeheartedly embrace taking risks. As someone who strongly believes that every idea is worth a try, I have transformed my so-called “impulsive” nature into a formidable asset when collaborating with clients or fellow designers/artists. I am not afraid to venture into uncharted territories, exploring unconventional combinations and compositions, in search of intriguing possibilities. Whether this means adopting a maximalistic approach or pushing the boundaries of project deliverables, I always express my ideas and grant them the opportunity to shine before dismissing them.
An essential aspect of my design process involves meticulous documentation and organization. I take pride in creating an easily navigable file organization system that facilitates the seamless continuation of work for designers or teams who overlook projects that I have worked on. This thoughtful approach has garnered appreciation for its ability to streamline collaboration and ensure smooth transitions. Additionally, I possess a strong ability to quickly grasp new concepts and excel in high-pressure situations, which has always aided me when working with teams that work at a fast-moving pace.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist or creative is the validation that comes from having your work recognized. It’s not about being acknowledged for who you are personally or the skills that you posses, but rather for the art you produce and the emotions you induce in the viewer. There’s an indescribable exhilaration that comes from hearing someone say, “I instantly knew this was your work, and I absolutely loved it,” or witnessing your friends and peers sharing your creations with others. In this regard, I respectfully disagree with the notion of “separating the art from the artist,” because I firmly believe that my work provides a glimpse into my identity as an individual and the choices I make.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
If you’ve ever seen a creative say the following sentences or exhibit the following behaviour:
– Stare at fonts and/or colour combinations for 8+ hours
– unsubscribe from their regular design magazines/ unfollow their favourite design/art blog on social media
– blame their software (or tools) for being “uncooperative” or underwhelming
– create unnecessarily specific and useless mood boards, playlists and/or inspiration boards on Pinterest, Behance, Spotify etc
– produce “unprofessional” or “unsatisfactory” work (according to their standards at least) because there was a “lack of time”
then I hate to break it to you, they are going through a creative burn out. creative burnouts are just as bad (sometimes even worse) than the burn outs that non-creatives may struggle with once or twice in their life, because it happens more often and takes twice as much time and effort to get out of. Having personally endured severe creative burnout during the initial three years of my daily design practice, I can attest that it is an experience shared by many other creatives. The peculiar thing about it is that we never know when it will strike; rather than hitting us abruptly as a final act or breaking point, it manifests as a gradual depletion of inspiration and originality within our minds. The very eyes that once envisioned extraordinary concepts become incapable of detecting obvious mistakes, instead fixating on trivial decisions. The worst part of such a creative burn out is that there is no right answer or quick solution to getting past it. There is no way under or over it, only getting through it in your own time. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aparnakrishnandesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aparnadoesstuff/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparna-krishnan-r/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aparnadoesstuff
- Email: [email protected]