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

Krisha, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Absolutely, often amidst the stress of multiple projects and deadlines, and the endless hustle to obtain clients or projects, it can be hard to remember why I chose the creative path in the first place.

But as a creative professional, I find happiness in being able to explore new ideas and bring a new perspective and idea to life. Being able to create something from scratch and having people resonate with the ideas and thoughts is fulfilling. Being in the creative field also comes with creative blocks.One of the advantages of freelancing is the flexibility it offers. When facing creative blocks, I can step back, take a break, and seek inspiration without the constraints of a rigid schedule. This freedom allows for a healthier creative process and often leads to more innovative and authentic work for me. Moreover, freelancing enables me to take on a variety of projects, like the Disney motion picture I’m currently working on, while also pursuing shorter-term gigs. This mix of long-term and short-term projects provides both stability and variety, making it the best of both worlds.

Despite the occasional doubts, the fulfillment I derive from my work as a creative outweighs the appeal of a traditional job. Here, I can take on as much work as I feel inspired to handle.

Krisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in a tumultuous environment, I often retreated into my own world, spending time doodling and observing life. Art and design became my expressive outlets. The character of the space driven by its user and just the mere detailing and distinctive appearance each structure fascinated me. The dynamic architecture of Mumbai compelled me to pursue an academic path in Architecture. While studying for my Bachelor’s in Architecture, I explored various aspects of design, realizing its omnipresence. An elective course, Architecture in Cinema, ignited a newfound passion for Production Design. I developed a new appreciation for the mood and character of spaces, enhanced by light, shadows, reflections, and rain that create incredible variations.

Cinema, being inherently subjective, evokes a wide range of emotions that we might not otherwise freely experience. It serves as a powerful medium of communication. For me, it offers both an escape from reality and an avenue to explore my emotions. My architectural background equips me with a solid understanding of the technicalities and proportions in set design, while production design grants me the creative liberty to dive into intricate details and characterizations. I perceive films as a canvas that unifies a writer’s idea, an actor’s character portrayal, the visuals, and background, all brought to life by a director creating fantasies and portraying realities. My MFA in Production Design from Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has enriched my grasp of these elements.

In acknowledgment of my commitment and talent, I was honored to be chosen as an apprentice in the Art Directors Guild’s Local 800 Production Design Initiative Program in 2023.

Currently I’m working on an upcoming Disney feature film and grateful to be a part of the Walt Disney Motion Picture family. I also had the privilege of working as a Production Designer for two independent feature films and serving as an Art Director for several music videos and vertical format shows in Los Angeles. Both these independent features were milestones in my career and given me confidence. I have collaborated on over 30 commercials with Production Designer Nimish Kotwal, working with brands such as Sketchers, JBL, Reebok, Nivea, and Amazon Prime in India.

I aspire to develop new tools to innovate and gain experiences essential for my growth as a designer, enabling me to create art that leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Every moment spent on a set is an opportunity to immerse myself in another’s life.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

’12 Angry Men’, the 1957 movie by Reginald Rose and Sidney Sumer has been one of the biggest inspirations for me as an architect, designer and filmmaker. The themes the movie greatly affectedly thought process and perspective towards my own life and people. It is one of thee simplest yet such thrilling movie with a lot of take back. The film dives deep into the impact one person can make and save a life by just being a critical thinker and non judgemental. How our own baggage and prejudice can affect the lives of people around us. As a designer, sensitivity to people and places around us is a crucial nuance.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a creative professional, I find immense joy in exploring new ideas and bringing fresh perspectives to life. Creating something from scratch and seeing people resonate with my ideas and thoughts is incredibly fulfilling. As humans, we often feel isolated in our struggles. I believe art and cinema bridge this gap by evoking universally felt and experienced emotions. Being part of a community where I can connect with people, showing that no one is alone—especially since I have fought depression myself—is the most rewarding aspect of being a creative.
My background in architecture trained my brain to be highly practical and problem-solving oriented. The creative process involves finding unique solutions to problems, which allows me to push my boundaries. The creative field is vast and ever-evolving, making me a constant lifelong learner. There is always something new to see and be inspired by. It is also always impacting the kind of person I am evolving into.
As a creative, I often work on various projects that last from a few weeks to a few months. Interacting with so many individuals and learning their life stories, even as an introvert, is very rewarding. Each collaboration brings new insights and perspectives, enhancing my own creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: krishabafna.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krishabafna/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisha-bafna-7ba9511b0/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12985377/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk