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

Kanchan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

People often ask me how I went from dentistry to the creative field, and the answer is simple: passion. My love for creativity and storytelling has always driven me. That passion was the catalyst for my transition. Today, I’m pursuing roles in advertising where I can channel my skills towards meaningful causes, while also building a space for creativity—something that’s both fun and fresh. It’s really about encouraging people to embrace their own creativity every day, just like I try to do. I make characters out of letters and illustrations using simple shapes and abstract proportions—much like the playful drawings we made as kids, with uneven brushstrokes and all. My goal is to transport people back to a happy place through these designs, offering a sense of safety and joy in an often chaotic world. While I aim to bring smiles through my visuals, I don’t shy away from advocating for important social causes. It’s a delicate balance, but I believe design has the power to uplift while also sparking conversation about issues that matter. Through my work, I hope to make a positive impact, whether it’s by brightening someone’s day or inspiring them to think more deeply about the world around them.

As for what I want to be remembered for, is my passion—for creativity, storytelling, and for chasing my dreams, no matter the obstacles. Ultimately, I hope that when people engage with my work, they feel that passion and maybe even a little bit of their own.

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’m Kanchan, a creative strategist with a strong background in advertising and product design. My creative journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in product design from Istituto Marangoni in Milan, where I developed a keen eye for detail, sustainability, and storytelling. Milan helped me understand design’s intricate relationship with people’s daily lives, particularly in the fashion and furniture industries. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Advertising from SCAD, where I acquired my skills in art direction and storytelling, and deepened my passion for crafting compelling brand narratives. Through my projects, I’ve worked across industries, from fashion and beauty to health and sports, developing campaigns that resonate with people on an emotional level.

In my work, I focus on brand storytelling, helping businesses create fulfilling experiences from the first interaction to ongoing engagements. I’ve had the pleasure of working on impactful campaigns like the Fila India social media campaign. I also developed a campaign focused on empowering women through sports. My approach blends strategy, empathy, and creativity to solve challenges, whether it’s building customer engagement, elevating brand identity, or creating memorable product experiences.

What sets me apart is my unique mix of product design, copywriting, and advertising experience. I design with a strong narrative in mind, whether it’s through a catalog, a brand campaign, or even creating characters out of typography. My work spans from branding and advertising campaigns to social media content, merchandise design, and catalogs, all while staying true to a brand’s ethos. I take pride in my storytelling process, starting from crafting narratives to finding the perfect visuals and delivering impactful campaigns.

One of my proudest achievements is winning a Red Dot Award and a Communication Art Award for projects. These projects allowed me to showcase my passion for copywriting, art direction, and creative strategy, blending them with AI tools like MidJourney and Adobe.

For me, it’s all about creating experiences that resonate. Whether it’s designing a catalog, developing a social media strategy, or crafting a campaign that speaks to inclusivity and empowerment, my aim is to tell stories that connect with people in meaningful ways.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients or followers to know, it’s that I’m deeply passionate about collaboration and creating work that reflects a brand’s true essence. Whether it’s sports, fashion, or beauty, I’m driven by a desire to solve problems and create impactful experiences through design and strategy

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to express myself without words—through design, fashion, storytelling, or visuals. As a product designer and art director, every decision I make is a reflection of who I am at that moment. Fashion, for example, is an integral part of my identity. It’s how I show my mood or mindset. Trying new styles and silhouettes mirrors the fearlessness I bring to my creative work. Being a creative isn’t just a job, it’s a calling, a way of life. Every project, every piece of work, is a chance to make people feel a certain way. And what could be more rewarding than that? It’s not just about success or recognition; it’s about doing something you love, something that truly resonates with who you are.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wouldn’t say a particular resource per say but if I could go back, I’d remind myself to take full advantage of the premium tools and resources we had access to as students. It’s easy to get caught up in grades and immediate goals, but as creatives, our true purpose is to explore and experiment. For example, if you’re an illustrator, why not take a storytelling class? If you’re a product designer, try out an advertising course. Fashion designers could benefit from exploring painting or sculpting. The point is, we often limit ourselves to what’s directly related to our field, thinking we have to carve out a singular path. But today, those who thrive at the top are the ones with diverse perspectives—people who’ve mastered various crafts but have found their true calling in one. If someone had told me early on to be more open-minded and to think beyond the obvious, I think I would have experienced even more growth in my creative journey

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kanchanchhabria.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanchanchhabria.design?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/kanchanchhabria.design?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==