Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sagarika Debnath. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sagarika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

As a self-trained artist, my journey has been a winding path filled with experimentation and accidental discoveries. It has involved a lot of back and forth and much trial and error—some misses and some successes. Coming from a middle-class Indian family, I was conditioned to believe that the only viable career paths for me were in medicine or engineering. Throughout high school, I adhered to this expectation and excelled academically, maintaining straight A’s all the way. I truly enjoyed the sciences—well, until I got my hands on my friend’s digital camera for the very first time. Something about looking at the world through a different lens (quite literally) helped me see beyond the dichotomy of black and white. It made me search for the grey, and looking into the grey is not easy.

The thing about careers in the art field is that everyone has their unique journey. Not everyone takes the traditional route of going to design school; the untraditional pathway can be both daunting and distinctly individualistic. During my undergraduate studies in computer science engineering, I engaged in various internships, including roles as a video editor, sound designer, graphic designer, and camera assistant. These experiences were instrumental in providing insights into different professional domains and identifying my true passions. Nevertheless, I often reflect on how much time and energy could have been saved with targeted guidance at an earlier stage.

I recognize the critical need for more structured guidance and counseling for high school students. It is imperative that high school curricula introduce students to a diverse array of career options, particularly within the creative fields. They should gain practical knowledge about the duration it typically takes to secure entry-level positions, the timelines for advancement, and the benefits associated with various roles. As we increasingly move away from traditional job classifications, it becomes essential to integrate structure and awareness into art-based careers, thereby making these paths more accessible and less intimidating for future generations.

Sagarika, 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?

I am a motion media designer and filmmaker. My work ranges from short films and documentaries to informative video essays, product and packaging videos, and video projections. I experiment with different mediums, using film, sound, images, type, and alternative motion media to curate an immersive experience for viewers.

My films focus on human-centric relationships, outlining the deeper psychological meanings behind our interactions with our immediate environments and objects. I explore the hidden layers of human experience, particularly through the lens of memory, trauma, and the passage of time. With the aid of slow and introspective zoom-ins, long takes, and environmental sound design, I bring the space to life. My work aims to slow down time, urging the viewer to breathe in, enter the space, connect with the character, allow the stillness to reflect in their own lives, and then breathe out.

As a motion designer, I strive to bridge the gap between information and its consumption. I aim to make data and research more accessible by morphing them into familiar shapes and colours. Bridging this gap is key to developing a more aware and informed future generation.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My first short film, Dotted Bodies, was created in 2020 with the help of a group of friends who came together to work on a story that was equally dear and precious to all of us. While I had created short films of my own in the past, this project truly exposed me to the power of collaboration and reaffirmed the idea that it takes a village to make a good film. Our film toured multiple film festivals and even garnered a couple of awards at various competitions. For me, there was no turning back; I knew I wanted to work with films for the rest of my life. I used the earnings from my 9-to-5 job as a video editor and saved up to work on more films. In the meantime, I worked as an editor on other short films, learning more about filmmaking and the intricacies of the process with each new director I collaborated with. There are no shortcuts. I am back in school now for my master’s in motion media design, and I hope to apply everything I learn to my upcoming work-in-progress films.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to give voice to people and their untold stories. As a motion media designer and filmmaker, I want to highlight these narratives through video essays and films, and use my privilege, skills and resources to throw light on marginalised communities and their intricate relationships with their immediate space and environments. Transforming complex information into compelling visual stories allows me to make knowledge accessible and engaging for a wider audience- and bridging this gap between data, stories, and access has always been the dream. The ultimate goal is to create work that resonates with people, sparks curiosity, fosters empathy, and inspires action. Ultimately, knowing that my creative efforts can make a positive impact and contribute to meaningful conversations is what drives me as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sagarikadebnath.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/saaagarika
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagarika-debnath/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sagarikadebnath5827