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

Ashutosh, appreciate you joining us today. What was one of the most important lessons you learned in school? Why did that lesson stick with you?

I was fortunate to be surrounded by talented friends in college, each excelling in their respective fields. I have had friends who were singers, musicians, dancers, fine artists, writers, poets, and photographers. From them I learned the importance of wholeheartedly embracing one’s craft and continuously striving for improvement. I studied architecture in my undergrad. While I ultimately didn’t pursue a conventional architectural career and instead transitioned into production design, the architectural education I received was pivotal in molding my skills as a designer. Although architecture primarily involves designing spaces, the process is influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors. Thus, understanding these supplementary elements becomes crucial. As a result, I acquired knowledge that extended beyond core architecture and proves valuable in various contexts.
Another critical lesson I learned during my time in architecture college was the significance of drawing as a universal language for designers. Right from my first year, I learned that any drawing I produced should effectively convey its intended message without ambiguity. This principle, deeply ingrained in me throughout my architectural education, has continued to serve me well in my role as a production designer.

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?

I nurtured a deep passion for fine art from my early years, aspiring to be a fine artist. However, I chose to study architecture, knowing that I could learn art independently. In my third year of architectural studies, I decided to shift to production design, which I knew offered more scope for creativity. After completing my architecture degree, I worked in the Indian film industry as an assistant art director. Later, I pursued a master’s degree in production design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the United States. While at SCAD, I had the privilege of working as a production designer for numerous short films. Following my master’s program, I gained acceptance into the prestigious Production Design Initiative by the Art Director’s Guild (ADG). Alongside, I developed a liking for themed entertainment design and extended my scope of work in that field. I was also accepted as a member of Slice Creative Network, a platform for themed entertainment freelancers, that has further enriched my portfolio.
My primary expertise lies in production design, visual art, and architecture. I specialize in designing for a diverse range of projects including films, theaters, architecture, and themed entertainment. My creative work includes graphic design, illustrations, paintings, murals, comic book art, and more.
Of all my projects, I take immense pride in my role as lead production designer for an XR stage short film. The story, based in fantasy, allowed me to delve into a genre I adore. Crafting intricate set pieces and props was a gratifying experience, despite the challenges encountered during execution.
What makes me stand out is my blend of architectural education and a strong foundation in visual art. This combination allows me to create designs that are not just imaginative and innovative, but also practical and achievable.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most fulfilling part of being a designer is the process of creating. While most designers find joy in seeing their designs come to life, my greatest satisfaction comes from the process of designing itself. Each project goes through different stages—understanding the project, generating ideas, sketching initial designs, working out technical details, fabrication, and installing—each with its own steps. When I’m given a project, my job is to visualize and execute a suitable design. I find immense happiness in the challenge of understanding the project’s requirements and coming up with a unique design. Every project comes with clear design needs that tell the story, but there’s a lot more hidden in the details if you read between the lines. This part of designing really excites me because it’s full of endless possibilities. So, in my view, the design process is what I find most rewarding as a designer.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have always dreamed of working in production design for movies and TV shows – a passion close to my heart. I had the chance to work on film projects in India, which further ignited my enthusiasm. When I came to the US, I eagerly wanted to join an American film production, and luckily, I got an opportunity to be a part of a feature film, strengthening my interest in the field. As I approached graduation, my plan was to step into the industry. Unexpectedly, just a month before I graduated, the writer’s strike was announced, leading to a widespread halt in productions. Despite connections I made while at SCAD, the lack of ongoing projects limited my job opportunities. Being an international student in the US, I had limited time to secure a job. This situation led me to pivot towards themed entertainment. Through this shift, I discovered a new sector that I began to enjoy and it became clear to me that I could work well in both, films and themed entertainment. This unexpected change taught me to adapt and exposed me to new possibilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashutoshrokade.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashutosh.rokade/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashutosh-rokade-/

Image Credits
1. ‘Quandering Questions’ SCAD Atlanta. 2. ‘Human Stories’ SCAD Atlanta