We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nandan Pemmaraju. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nandan below.
Nandan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Several projects have shaped my journey as a designer, but more than that, the people, experiences, and unexpected turns along the way have made it truly meaningful.
PIVOT, the modular furniture design system I co-founded with Saloni Bedi—an incredible and humble designer—was born out of a deep-rooted desire to tackle global college furniture waste. Being selected by MIT Venture Mentoring Services was a proud moment, not just for the recognition but because it validated the potential of a long-lost idea I had first explored during my time at ArtCenter. This project gave me the courage to work with some truly inspiring minds, like Bala Ramamurthy, an ex-SpaceX flight safety director, and Nike’s retail design lead, Bridgette Hyde.
Leading the Pitchwolf redesign was another defining moment. Creating an intuitive app experience for cricket coach Steffan Jones and developing biomechanics-driven reports that added real value showed me how design can seamlessly enhance technology. Google Pitchwolf.ai to get a taste of my work with this cricket tech company.
Working as a Designer at Andrea Claire Studio introduced me to the high-end design market, where I contributed to projects featured in Vogue & AD. The level of refinement and detail required in architectural mobile lighting design taught me the importance of precision and storytelling in luxury design. I am so proud of my work here as I could put both my spatial an fixture design skills at work here.
Being invited as a Design Critic at ArtCenter College of Design and Parsons School of Design has been particularly special. Engaging with emerging designers and seeing their perspectives evolve in real time reminds me why I love this field. It’s not just about creating—it’s about sharing, learning, and constantly pushing boundaries together. Thanks to Shamyiks Sharma, Penny Herscovitch, and Daniel Gottlieb for trusting me.
Two unforgettable experiences in my career were working with the non-profit **India Home Project**, where I designed senior care solutions, and my time at **VITRA in New York City**, a dream company that shaped my perspective on design.
Beyond projects, my acceptance to RISD and UCLA was a moment that changed how I saw myself. It wasn’t just about getting into top schools—it was about proving to myself that I belonged in spaces where big ideas take shape. It became a story I could tell, not just to others, but to myself, as a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Nandan, 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?
Hi, I’m Nandan, a versatile designer (no I truly am!) with a diverse background in architectural mobile lighting, product design, sustainable furniture, and technology. I currently serve as a Designer at Andrea Claire Studio, a Los Angeles-based studio specializing in customizable architectural lighting, and Chief Design Officer at Pitchwolf, a startup focused on AI-driven biomechanics for cricket bowling. I’m also a multidisciplinary Designer open to work on spatial, furniture, exhibit, and graphic design projects and a Co-founder of PIVOT, a startup developing modular furniture from college waste.
I hold a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Spatial Experience, with a minor in Furniture, Fixtures & Lighting, from ArtCenter College of Design in California. With over six years of professional experience—three in India and three in the USA—my expertise spans design development and strategy, 3D modeling, technical and construction drawings, and fabrication
What (absolutely) sets me apart is my wide-ranging experience across design disciplines—from architecture to tech and sustainability. I’ve had the privilege of working with top-tier creatives and clients in LA and New York, and my entrepreneurial ventures, like PIVOT, showcase my entrepreneurial side. I’m proficient in Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD.
I’m proud of my involvement in PIVOT’s selection by MIT Venture Mentoring Services, the redesign of Pitchwolf’s platform, and my contributions to lighting projects at Andrea Claire Studio. I’ve also had the honor of being a guest critic at ArtCenter College of Design and Parsons School of Design.
I bring a detail-oriented narrative-driven approach to design, fueled by a passion for making new things and collaboration. My expertise spans spatial design (architecture and interiors), furniture, fixtures, lighting, and graphic design. I am committed to problem-solving at every scale, delivering tailored solutions that meet the quintessential needs of each project.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I believe that creative professionals can sometimes unintentionally overwhelm others, leading to misunderstandings or misconceptions about our work. When something doesn’t fit neatly into a category, it can feel intimidating or confusing to those outside the field. That’s why I see it as a creative’s responsibility to bridge that gap—by understanding how others perceive our work, asking the right questions, and fostering open, accessible conversations.
My journey into creativity began with architecture school, which introduced me to a broad spectrum of disciplines, including graphic design, furniture, fixtures, and lighting—fields I explored further in my master’s program. Early in my career, I was fully immersed in design without considering how the broader world interacts with it. Over time, I realized that this mindset wasn’t sustainable. After all, design ultimately serves people—many of whom may not come from a creative background. To shift my approach, I made a conscious effort to step outside the creative bubble. I engaged in conversations beyond design, removed jargon, and learned from other creatives about how they communicate their work to non-creatives. Early in my career, I was fully immersed in design, focused on the craft itself rather than how the world interacts with it. That changed when I started an architectural design company in India, which I ran for over two years. Working closely with clients from non-creative backgrounds, I found myself designing deeply personal spaces. To do this successfully, I had to step outside my own creative perspective—listening to their stories, understanding their vision, and drawing connections between their experiences and my own. Finding those parallels became essential in creating meaningful, human-centered designs.
This shift has helped me develop a more inclusive and collaborative approach to design—one that welcomes diverse perspectives. Today, I work across multiple disciplines, from architectural planning and interior design to graphic design, branding systems, and small-scale installations like trade show booths and brand kiosks. If you have a design challenge, chances are I’ve solved something similar before—and I’d be happy to help. Creativity thrives through connection. Rather than staying within a bubble, we should expand it—like a Buckminsterfullerene—embracing diverse perspectives, ideas, and voices in our creative space. Ultimately, the balance between your creative vision and the realities of the world around you is what shapes your identity as a designer.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Throughout my creative journey, I’ve had to make several pivotal decisions, each one influencing the path I walk today. One of the most defining moments of my career happened early on during my second year of architecture school. At the time, I felt overwhelmed by the rigorous demands of the program. I was at a crossroads, unsure of my direction, and considered dropping out to pursue something entirely different. Around this period, I received an internship offer in Mumbai, often called the “New York City of India,” for a graphic design position—an area I had always been intrigued by. I took the leap, spending a month immersing myself in visual design work, and the experience was eye-opening, offering me the opportunity to explore a completely different realm of creativity.
However, everything changed with a phone call from my father. His words grounded me and made me reassess my decision. After an honest conversation about my future, I realized I could combine my love for design with architecture, rather than abandon one for the other. I decided to stay in architecture school, and in hindsight, that choice remains one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Architecture school not only taught me the foundational principles of design but also exposed me to a diverse array of disciplines, from spatial branding to furniture and lighting design, and even technology. This broad exposure allowed me to discover how interconnected these fields are and how they could complement each other in the real world. It was through this process that I started to see myself as a multidisciplinary designer.
As I continued my studies, I explored various design practices, including branded spaces and furniture design, which I later specialized in at ArtCenter College of Design, where I also completed a Master’s in Spatial Experience and Furniture & Fixtures Design. I later in my career worked on projects such as creating modular furniture for sustainable solutions at PIVOT, which tackles global college furniture waste, and collaborating with Pitchwolf on AI-driven biomechanics for cricket. These ventures allowed me to integrate my architectural background with cutting-edge tech and sustainability, blending innovation with functional design.
Looking back, choosing to stay in architecture school opened my eyes to a world of opportunities that I wouldn’t have explored if I had left. It taught me the value of persistence and the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. Today, I pride myself on being a versatile designer, able to draw from a wide range of disciplines—architecture, tech, sustainability, branding, and furniture design—to create innovative, holistic solutions that address complex challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandan-siva/overlay/1708908505883/single-media-viewer/?type=DOCUMENT&profileId=ACoAAB01TZ0BLIBCtUBo33qn65CwpFsA5H9hHXo
- Instagram: nadanofdesign
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandan-siva/
- Other: email me at – nadanofdesign@gmail.com
graphic design work – https://www.behance.net/nandanpemmaraju
Image Credits
PORTRAITS SHOT BY ALICE WIBISONO