We were lucky to catch up with Rajdeep Chatterjee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rajdeep, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Oh, you bet naming something, especially your own business, is a real head-scratcher! In India, we’ve got this saying, “naam me kya rakha hai” (What’s in the name), but when you’re starting something from scratch, that name becomes your identity, right?

See, I’ve been down this road before. I used to own a design studio, and let’s just say I made all the naming mistakes one could possibly make. I chose a name that was a tongue-twister – Skadoosh. Not many people could pronounce it properly, and it was a nightmare for branding. So, when it came to naming my new venture, “Kimko Design,” I had two important things in mind.

One, I thought about what I really wanted to achieve. I’ve been freelancing for over 11 years, collaborating with friends and noticing the struggles designers face. Kimko Design is all about freedom and growth. It’s a platform where independent professionals can thrive. We’re all about encouraging collaboration, creating a vibrant community where diverse talents converge, exchange ideas, and uplift each other.

Two, I knew that the name had to be simple. I mean, super simple – something even a 10-year-old could pronounce without hesitation. It had to be short and memorable, something that would stick in people’s minds. Plus, I wanted it to be abstract, not tied to any specific service or product. I wanted a name that could adapt as the industry evolved.

So, there I was, racking my brain for a month, and I was about ready to give up. But you know how life works, right? The answer often comes when you least expect it, in the most unexpected ways. I was watching a Japanese anime one day and stumbled upon the character name “Kimiko.” It had a catchy ring to it. Curiosity led me to research similar words, and that’s when I found “KIMKO,” which means a freedom-loving and free-spirited individual – it was my ‘Eureka’ moment. It perfectly resonated with the essence of what I wanted my brand to stand for.

Funny how these things work out, right? Sometimes, the best ideas come when you’re least prepared, and they come in the quirkiest forms possible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well, my journey into the world of design is a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but it all started with my fascination for animation back in my school days. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get paid for making cartoons, right? But imagine breaking the news to your parents when they’ve got their hearts set on you becoming an engineer or a doctor – it was a bit of a shocker for them, to say the least.

So, my quest for answers led me to an art and design community center in Nagpur, Maharashtra, recommended by a family friend. It was no ordinary coaching center; it was a place where you could explore your creative potential without any restrictions. There, I dabbled in everything from basic sketching and sculptures to movies, digital art, and music. It was a game-changer for me because it broadened my horizons and introduced me to various facets of design.

My mentor, Tanul Vikamshi, imparted a valuable lesson that I carry with me to this day: “As a designer, you need to develop an eye for seeing things differently and paying attention to the details.” And, he emphasized that this skill takes time to nurture through practice, observation, and travel.

While honing my skills, I also enrolled in a diploma degree program in animation, which I pursued for two years. But my love for design kept growing, and it took me another two years to convince my parents that design was my true calling. Eventually, I made the move to Bangalore, India, to pursue a post-graduation diploma in communication design. This is where I truly explored the diverse realms of design, from creating my own branding to developing a board game and crafting a travel log.

During my second year in college, I faced a bit of a slump, and that’s when I stumbled upon the field of UX/UI design. It was like finding a hidden treasure! The idea that I could build solutions while considering user problems resonated deeply with me. I realized that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the people around me, and UX/UI design provided the perfect avenue to turn my ideas into practical solutions.

I transitioned from animation to branding and eventually found my passion in digital product design, with a specialization in interaction design. I had the privilege of working in some of India’s top design studios, where I redesigned platforms like Oyo Rooms for business and OTT platforms like Viacom 18’s Voot app, Zee5 to name a few. Working in these studios felt like being back in design school, and I loved every moment of it.

However, it was during this time that I had a pivotal realization. In a service-based industry, once you deliver your designs to clients, you often lose track of what happens next. You don’t always know if your solutions are genuinely helping users. This realization led me to working in product Fortune 500 company like Target and the dynamic world of hyper delivery with Swiggy.

At Swiggy, I had the incredible opportunity to lead the loyalty program named Swiggy One Membership, designing for the people right in my vicinity. Currently, I’m a Senior Product Designer at Eventbrite, where I continue to contribute to reimagine the future of gathering. But there’s something else brewing on the side – my startup venture, Kimko. It’s an idea that’s still evolving but revolves around empowering independent professionals to thrive. We’re all about fostering collaboration and building a vibrant community where diverse talents converge, share ideas, and uplift one another. Making the leap into entrepreneurship, especially with added responsibilities, is no small feat, but I’m incredibly excited to give back to the design community that has given me so much in return.

So, that’s a bit about me and my journey. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for Kimko Design.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

You know, my path has been filled with its fair share of twists and turns and one story that really showcases my resilience started back when I was just a kid. I wasn’t exactly a top performer in school, particularly when it came to academics. But what’s fascinating is how things can turn around when you’re taught in the right way and when you’re genuinely passionate about what you’re learning.

So, fast forward to my time in design school – I found my groove, excelling in every semester. Life was on the upswing, but there was an unspoken pressure that weighed on me. You see, my dad had invested all his savings into sending me to design school, and he even took a loan from his former boss to cover my three years of tuition. My parents never directly pressured me, but I felt this immense responsibility to lift our family out of the financial stress we were in.

This stress, over time, transformed into something extreme – depression and panic attacks. It hit me hard during my final year of college. Imagine this: I had secured job offers from some top-notch companies during campus placements, which should have been a cause for celebration. I remember when I got all those offers; I called my mom and told her about my placements. There was a silence for a few seconds – that silence was one of comfort and happiness.

As soon as I relocated to a new city for my job, my panic attacks seemed to have a field day. They even brought along a creative block – every designer’s worst nightmare. So, I was dealing with creative stagnation, coupled with depression, and it was tough.

I was incredibly fortunate to have supportive friends who stood by me during this trying period. You know, there’s this quote from “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” that goes, “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” The horse replies, “Help.” And that’s what I did – I asked for help.

I started digging into my core issues, ones that had been with me since childhood, and opened up to my parents about it. They were incredibly supportive and backed me up in every decision I made. My sister and girlfriend (now my wife) were my pillars of strength during those tough times. Meditation played a big role in helping me regain my balance.

Additionally, I took a step back, evaluated my current needs, and worked towards them. I also decided to be completely transparent with my employer at the time about what I was going through. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I can tell you this – post that phase, my approach to design and life, in general, changed for the better. I learned to stay in the moment, embrace positivity, and this is the story of my resilience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There’s a driving force behind my creative journey, and it’s all about making a meaningful impact in the lives of those around me. You see, I’ve always been passionate about solving problems, especially the ones that people in my community face. I may not be the ultimate expert in developing solutions, but I believe I’m one step closer to providing them.

My mission is all about “design for all.” I want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can benefit from thoughtful and effective design solutions. It’s a bit like paying it forward – I’ve gained so much from the design community, and now I want to give back.

Having spent a significant amount of time freelancing, this goal has also fueled my latest venture, Kimko. It’s not just about building a platform; it’s about creating a community where independent professionals can thrive, collaborate, and find innovative solutions together.

So, yes, my creative journey is all about making the world a better, more design-conscious place for everyone, and it all starts from your surrounding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rajdeepchatterjee7/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rajdeepchatterjee07
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rajdeep-chatterjee-08728648/
• Twitter: twitter.com/Rajdeep50741845