Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arushi Sharma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Arushi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I feel fortunate to be able to earn a full-time living from my creative learnings. I think every aspect of my journey, including graduation projects, thesis, and internships, has helped me get to where I am today. I started my career as a print designer with a print studio. I hand-painted most days, sometimes for eight hours straight, while learning the technicalities of print design for commercial use. From hand-painting to making artwork ready for mass production, this is an art I’ve mastered. For my next job, I was hired as a textile designer, where I didn’t just work on prints but also worked on various embroideries and woven textiles for different soft home product categories. I feel the most important factor that motivated me to keep growing was having mentors in both roles. Having a mentor who always pushes you to be the best version of yourself is very important. I never realized I was on a journey from textile designer to design director. I just learned something new every day and carried it forward with me. Another lesson I’ve learned is that if something really excites you, go the extra mile, even when nobody is watching. I don’t think I could have sped up the process of becoming who I am today, because there is no formula or shortcut. The process involves taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them. That’s how I evolved.

Arushi , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and brought up in the capital city of India, New Delhi. I have been interested in art and craft since childhood. My grandfather, a professional artist, always supported me and guided my creative endeavors. In school, I was always in charge of decorating the class pinboards for every season. I loved participating in drawing competitions, and art and craft classes were always my favorite. I’ve always enjoyed storytelling through my art, and I believe my signature lies in the amount of detail I put into each piece. I love doodling without overthinking. My hand simply follow my thoughts. Each time I start a piece, I map out the movement, not the details. I never follow a specific order. I follow my intuition, painting the motifs that speak to me, letting the flow guide me, and piecing everything together later. As a result, imperfections and overlaps naturally appear which makes it even more authentic. My art is the one space where I don’t have to follow any rules. Sometimes, it’s the chaos in my mind that translates into the tiny dots in my work. I’m proud of the Indian DNA in my art. It reflects the truest version of who I am: an artist who can never outgrow Indian art—and of course, the Indian food.

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

My biggest lesson was to unlearn perfection. My undergraduate design school experience was highly competitive, and I often chased perfection by polishing assignments to look flawless to get perfect grades. I followed the unspoken rules to create what was considered “perfect art.” With time and experience, I learned that nothing is truly perfect. Perfection is subjective. It depends on how you see it. In design, there is no such thing as imperfection.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing a small spark of inspiration turn into a real object that people not only use but genuinely cherish. There is deep fulfillment in watching my designs become a meaningful part of their everyday lives. I find joy in sharing my art with the world, and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that it brings meaning to someone else’s day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arushisharma25.com/printdesign/
• Instagram: aruushi_sharrma
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arushi-sharma-236612b4