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

Ridhima, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a young age, I often followed my brother, eager to explore and satisfy my curiosities. It was during one of these times that my mother decided to enroll both of us in the Animation Arena in New Delhi, India, where I was introduced to the enchanting world of design. This is where my journey truly began, as I discovered the power of design and the ability to create entire imaginative worlds from scratch. Even though I was deeply drawn to design, I knew that realizing my dream was still a distant goal.

My journey continued at a boarding school in Rajasthan, where my passion for art flourished as I participated in various art and dance competitions. However, adapting to a different life suddenly wasn’t always easy. It was during this time that I became aware of my moderate hearing disability, which made it challenging to keep up with my studies. I had to focus intensely just to hear and understand what was being taught, and this often left me feeling exhausted. Yet, I found solace in expressing my feelings through art and dance. Despite the challenges, I promised myself that I would become as efficient as possible. I believe this was when my true animation journey began, solidifying with time and effort as I pursued my dream.

This determination carried me through my Bachelor’s in Animation Design from Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune. There, I learned to overcome my challenges, even when it meant missing out on creative thinking or key concepts at times. It was also where I fully immersed myself in learning various types of animation, eventually discovering the role I was meant to pursue. I even attended the FMX Conference in 2019, Stuttgart, Germany, where I discovered design on a broader horizon and it left me astonished about how little I knew about where I came from and how big the stage I was standing. It became a turning point in my career when I pursued my Master’s in Animation, VFX, and Games in Savannah, USA. Surrounded by a global community of passionate creatives, I found immense motivation and fully embraced my love for 3D art, though I continued to enjoy creating 2D pieces as well. The moment I saw my first 3D creation come to life on the screen, I knew I was on the right path. Despite the obstacles, each step has brought me closer to my dream of becoming a 3D artist.

Now, I’ve reached a point where I have my brand, “The Lilac Croissant,” a 2D/3D wedding invitation business. This venture allows me to fully apply my learnings and aspirations, making me feel that this is what my destiny is.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not be familiar with my work, I’m Ridhima Gupta, a moderately deaf and passionate 3D artist from New Delhi, India, and the founder of The Lilac Croissant, a unique 2D/3D wedding invitation business. 

My journey into animation and design began at an early age when I was introduced to the thrilling world of animation. This early exposure inspired a strong passion in me, and as I proceeded to explore my creative potential, I realized that this was the career path I wanted. I officially entered the field after earning a bachelor’s degree in animation design from Symbiosis Institute of Design in Pune, followed by a master’s degree in animation, visual effects, and games from Savannah College of Art and Design in the United States. 

Despite my difficulties finding a full-time job, I decided to forge my path and apply my education, experiences, and skills in the hopes of continuing to develop my art and possibly assisting others. The opportunity arose when my brother asked me to create a 3D wedding invitation for him. So I worked hard to deliver this lovely invite, which was appreciated and talked about for a long time. I was proud of my first work as a wedding invitation designer, but a lot of people around me began to question why I hadn’t established my own business, which got me thinking. Though I still wanted a job for the experience, the numerous rejections and lack of opportunities made me anxious. I realized that my dream had gotten shuffled somewhere, and I needed to find a way to get it back. This inspired me to make a work for myself and reclaim my identity as an artist. So now, I am working to launch my business officially by next month.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that The Lilac Croissant is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of my passion for design and storytelling. I specialize in creating custom wedding invitations that blend creativity with modern design techniques. Whether it’s a 2D illustrated invitation that tells a couple’s unique love story or a fully immersive 3D experience that captures the essence of their big day, my goal is to craft invitations that resonate emotionally and visually. This bespoke approach ensures that no two invitations are alike, and each one is a work of art in its own right. My work is driven by the desire to create meaningful connections through art, and I’m dedicated to delivering high-quality products that exceed expectations. Whether you’re looking for a classic 2D invite with a modern twist or an innovative 3D experience, you can trust that I’ll bring creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch to every project.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non-creatives may struggle to understand my journey because it requires a significant amount of extra effort to navigate the creative world as a hearing-disabled artist, particularly in a vibrant country like India, which is a fusion of cultures with diverse traditions, languages, and histories.

I feel that creativity is more than just having amazing ideas; it is about putting your heart and soul into every project, no matter how difficult it may be. Growing up here, surrounded by rich culture and inspiration, I’ve had to work harder to notice every small detail, sometimes overlooking essential features such as certain themes related to their religion or the mistakes in the usage of color based on their cultural background or traditional items like specific motifs or patterns, the alignment of the text according to their ideas or even just waiting for a right time to deliver the output, because of their faith in auspicious numbers or timings. It is always a learning process every time you design a piece because every design is a new creation.

This constant struggle to keep up and overcome self-doubt is the foundation of my creative process. What appears to be a simple, attractive final product is often the result of numerous changes and frustrations, particularly when communication or schedule issues occur. But each hardship has strengthened my determination. For those who may be unaware, each artwork I create tells a tale of perseverance and passion. While the result may appear effortless, it is the result of intense emotional commitment and hard work, driven by a desire to push boundaries and bring ideas to life despite challenges.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One significant pivot in my life occurred when I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in animation. Until that moment, I had concentrated on 2D animation and design during my bachelor’s at Pune. I liked making 2D art and illustrations, and it seemed like the road I was going to take. However, throughout my time at Savannah, I was introduced to the realm of 3D animation, games, and visual effects. Initially, it was a challenge—working in a new medium while managing my disability—and it made it feel like I was starting from scratch. However, as I became more involved in 3D projects, I discovered an unexpected interest. The power to create colorful, lifelike environments attracted me in a way that 2D had not previously. This was a turning point for me, which led me to turn my concentration to 3D animation.

After obtaining my Master’s degree, I struggled to find work, which caused another turn. To support myself at this time, I started learning YouTube content creation at a studio, which not only improved my script-writing and video-editing skills but also allowed me to learn to promote my work on a platform like YouTube, which is now an important part of my business marketing. On the side, I worked part-time for a small firm, designing a 3D gaming environment. I also volunteered on graduate student film projects to gain skills and broaden my network.

These experiences ultimately helped shape my career and led me to establish The Lilac Croissant. The decision to pivot not only opened up new opportunities but also allowed me to grow as an artist, proving that sometimes the best path forward is the one you didn’t initially plan for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ridzgupta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rg.art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ridhimagupta6302/

Image Credits

Image Credits – Arpit Gupta and team