Conversations with Nandan Pemmaraju

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nandan Pemmaraju

Hi Nandan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Design has always been my guiding force. I like to think of my journey as an underdog story, shaped by the immense creative freedom design and the places I lived in provided me.

My career began in Vizag, a small yet rapidly growing city in Southern India that still retains the charm of a modern-day fisherman village, home to India’s second-largest port, and is evolving into a metropolitan hub. By the time I graduated as an architect, the city was in the midst of a significant transformation, poised to become our state’s capital. Working in such a dynamic environment was both a tremendous challenge and an invaluable experience, offering me a unique perspective on design. It taught me the importance of context—how a city’s evolution can inspire new opportunities—and how every project has the potential to contribute to something larger. Seeing and being a part of this change firsthand inspired me to start my own design studio right after my undergrad, marking the beginning of my journey as a “REAL” designer. I was excited to bring my work to life—changes everything seeing your work work, doesn’t it?

Now, as I move between Los Angeles and New York City, I feel fortunate to be in a place where I’m doing exactly what I love. The transition from a smaller, quieter place to these bustling design hubs has been incredible. The exposure to diverse cultures, creative ideas, and opportunities in these cities has been transformative, allowing me to push boundaries and continuously evolve as a designer. I owe a lot of where I am today to the experiences I had in Vizag, New York, San Francisco, LA, and the six-letter word Design.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I used to believe that the path to reach where you want would be smooth—like many of us do at the start. But over time, I understood that my definition of ‘smooth’ needed some work. It’s constantly evolving, just like the way I perceive comfort and struggle. Early on, I feared hard work and challenges, but architecture school completely changed that perspective. It showed me that struggle and hard work, though uncomfortable, can be incredibly rewarding. More importantly, it taught me the importance of standing firm in your beliefs, even if the world around you doesn’t see things the same way.

When I moved to America and lost my dream job, I faced a defining moment that shaped me both as a professional and as a person. It taught me the power of saying ‘no’—recognizing what doesn’t align with my values—and gave me the clarity to say ‘yes’ to the opportunities that ONLY truly matter. I also realized that encountering mistakes more quickly can actually make you stronger, allowing you to learn faster and become more resilient. Those lessons have been essential in my growth, both as a designer and as an individual, reminding me that resilience, authenticity, and learning from failure are key to navigating success.

Above all, slow down, take a long deep breath, and look at what you are doing with a calm smile. We all came a long way from where we were five years ago. We can go another five years but with more learnings and wider smiles.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a designer driven by curiosity, my journey has been anything but linear. Architecture was my first love—a place where I felt I belonged. It opened doors to a world of creativity, leading me to explore beyond buildings. While still in architecture school, Moving to Mumbai—the New York City of India—marked a turning point in my career. During my second year of architecture school, I took up an internship in graphic design. Yes, I was confused, navigating between disciplines, but I embraced the chaos. There was even a moment when I considered dropping out of graduate school. However, my father’s advice to “finish what you started and then keep going” became a defining mantra. That small nudge pushed me forward, allowing me to complete my architecture degree while embracing the multidisciplinary world around me.

Two major projects redefined my trajectory. The first was designing the logo for Waltair Productions, which has since grown into a prominent film production company in India. The second was contributing to LOGIC IBD, a Harvard research project. These experiences reinforced my passion for design beyond architecture and ignited my curiosity to explore what else I could create.

Despite my growing love for various disciplines, architecture remained deeply personal to me. It taught me a new way to live, shaping my perspective on space and design. This realization led me to ArtCenter College of Design, where I expanded my expertise into interior, furniture, and lighting design. At ArtCenter, I thrived as a multi-hatter, constantly pushing the boundaries of my capabilities.

My curiosity didn’t stop there. at ArtCenter College of Design, I ventured into automotive interiors with NIO, a leading electric car manufacturer and a major Tesla competitor. Collaborating with the design team led by Alister Whelan in Munich, I ventured into car interior design—yet another discipline added to my growing repertoire. More recently, I led brand design and developed the website for Pitchwolf, a cutting-edge cricket tech company serving over 200 clients simultaneously. This project showcased my ability to merge design thinking with technology, reinforcing my identity as a problem solver across various industries. The iconography kit I’ve developed for Pitchwolf, born from a quest to modernize the traditional game of cricket, reimagining its look and feel with inspiration from analog objects and a nod to Teenage Engineering’s color palette. I also explored glass as a material with Ethan Stern, an excellent LA-based Glass artist. Post-grad, working with industry giants like Vitra, Andrea Claire, and Jason Peters honed my problem-solving skills across disciplines.

Today, I call myself a multidisciplinary designer—crafting solutions in spaces, lighting, furniture, interiors, exhibits, and graphic design. My journey is proof that saying “yes” to new challenges opens doors to endless creative possibilities.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my quest to find the right mentor is basic—just ask. The worst someone can say is “yes,” and surprisingly, most of my mentors did. The real challenge comes after they say yes—knowing what to ask next, how to absorb their insights, and how to apply their wisdom to my own work.
Finding the right mentor, however, wasn’t always straightforward. With a multidisciplinary mindset, I often wondered—should I seek guidance from a graphic designer, an architect, or someone from an entirely different field? The answer, I realized, wasn’t about choosing just one discipline but surrounding myself with people who could help me navigate the intersections of design. Each mentor brought something unique to the table—whether it was technical expertise, conceptual thinking, or a fresh perspective that challenged my own assumptions.

Beyond direct mentors, I found inspiration in the works of artists and designers across disciplines. I absorbed bits and pieces of wisdom from visionaries like Isaac Mizrahi, whose fearless approach to fashion taught me the importance of storytelling and personality in design. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s raw, expressive artistry reminded me that imperfection and spontaneity can be just as powerful as structure. Alexander Calder’s dynamic, gravity-defying sculptures showed me how movement and playfulness can transform space. And Isamu Noguchi’s sculptural approach to design, blending art and functionality, taught me how form and function can coexist harmoniously. Each of them, in their own way, shaped my understanding of creativity—not through formal mentorship but through the legacy of their work.

By drawing insights from diverse sources, I learned that mentorship isn’t always about direct guidance. Sometimes, it’s about observing, interpreting, and allowing different influences to shape your perspective. Creativity thrives at the crossroads of disciplines, and the more perspectives I embraced, the more I refined my own voice as a designer.
Networking, too, has been an evolving process. As an ambivert, initiating conversations and reaching out takes energy, but I’ve learned that networking isn’t just about collecting contacts—it’s about building genuine relationships. The first step is often the hardest, but like any skill, it gets easier with practice. Over time, I’ve found that meaningful connections come from curiosity, authenticity, and a willingness to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

Every conversation, every introduction, and every collaboration has shaped my journey, opening doors I never knew existed. In a world filled with creative possibilities, the right connections can make all the difference—not just in career opportunities, but in expanding how we think, create, and evolve as designers. The key is to keep asking, keep learning, and keep saying yes to new experiences by fighting the “NO”s “maybe next time”s in your head

Pricing:

• 35-55$ per hour based on the scale and time needed
• 35-45$ per hour – Graphic Design: Branding, Logo Development/ Brand Strategy/ Iconography
• 35-45$ per hour – Web Design: Website design/ layout & strategy/iconography
• 35-45$ per hour – presentation & fabrication drawing and layouts for spaces and custom furniture
• $35–$55/hr – Small Space Design: Exhibits, Booths for Fairs & Festivals, Interiors, and Architectural Design.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nandanofdesign/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandan-siva/
• Other: https://www.behance.net/nandanpemmaraju & Email – [email protected]

Image Credits
Alice Wibisono – Film, Photography, and Sound Design – BA, USC School Of Cinematic Arts