Today we’d like to introduce you to Shivangi Chopra
Hi Shivangi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello! Thank you so much for having me. My name is Shivangi Chopra and I’m a graphic designer, art director, occasional illustrator, and aspiring coder. Born and raised in India, I’m currently based in Los Angeles where I’m pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design from California Institute of the Arts.
My creative career started in Jaipur, India as a fine artist and painter. I studied Art & Design for four years in high school—two terms I used interchangeably at the time, unaware of their nuanced differences. Like many South Asians, I grew up in a culture that prioritizes a STEM education, with limited exposure to what it truly means to pursue a creative career—especially one beyond the borders of India. Despite my environment, I was inspired by my mother, who studied fashion design in a far more conservative India. Her career inspired me to follow in her footsteps and pursue an art degree, even while I grappled with the expectation of choosing a more traditionally academic path.
Pursuing this career path came with an underlying sense of guilt—like I was straying from a more fulfilling or conventional route. Eventually, graphic design emerged as my middle ground, a space that combines creative exploration and critical thinking: a field so expansive that I will always have room for experimentation, growth, defining my rules, and then breaking them. I discovered countless ways to practice design—and I don’t have to adhere to a set traditional path to pursue a fulfilling creative career. This realization opened up new possibilities, allowing me to invent my own design methodologies and cultivate a deeper sense of critical thinking in my work. I began to explore different ways of pushing my academic drive, while still applying my creative impulses. More recently, I’ve found creative coding to be a completely new and exciting outlet to bridge gaps in my practice. It’s become another tool for me to challenge myself, break free from established patterns, and continue pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving to a different country across the globe to pursue an unconventional career path comes with its own set of challenges, and the cultural shock was a significant part of my journey. Transitioning from India to Los Angeles wasn’t just a lifestyle shift—it also meant adapting to entirely different design sensibilities. Since the beginning of my career, I’ve been deeply inspired by decolonial influences. A central part of my practice has been finding a balance between honoring my roots and personal design sensibilities while learning to appreciate Western notions of minimalism and structure. The tension between these two worlds can be challenging, but it also drives me to innovate, adapt, and reimagine how design can bridge different cultures and ideas.
This process of finding balance is not something I see as a problem to solve or something to move past, but rather a lifelong pursuit—a recurring challenge that will continue to shape my career. At its core, it’s about finding my voice as a designer in a global context. I’ve come to realize that my design will always carry traces of where I come from. My work is inseparable from who I am as a person. This understanding has helped me embrace the uniqueness I bring to my practice while also motivating me to stay connected to my roots, even in a completely different cultural and professional environment.
Beyond the cultural shock, I also came to understand the significance of representation when I moved to the US. South Asians remain underrepresented in graphic design, especially within global and Western contexts. This lack of visibility can make it difficult to find role models or envision yourself within the industry. But it feels like that’s starting to change, and I’ve found immense encouragement in the work of South Asian designers like Kimya Gandhi, Shivani Parasnis, Khyati Trehan, Suprit Parulkar, Badal Patel, Vivek Thakker, and many others. Their work is not only brilliant and compelling but also deeply rooted in their identities and cultural narratives. I’m grateful to be entering the industry with people to look up to and happy to know that there are growing spaces for us to redefine what design can look like.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would describe myself as a multi-disciplinary designer. I enjoy experimentation, diversity, and versatility in my work—so I try to practice and hold an interest in a little bit of everything: branding, identity, illustration, typography, motion, editorial, web, and beyond. I’m a firm believer in the fact that design flourishes with personal connection, exploration, and trusting your gut.
My education at CalArts has instilled in me the importance of an iterative process. I’ve learned that in design, there’s rarely a single right way to achieve something, but there’s often a wrong one—and the only way to figure it out is by making. In moments of uncertainty or creative blocks, my approach is always to dive in and create, trusting that clarity will come through in the process. It’s about understanding that creating and analyzing are two different processes that should never overlap. (Thank you, Corita Kent!) My practice also revolves a lot around tactility and analog ways of making. To a certain extent, I still carry fragments of my fine arts background, enjoying the process of thinking with my hands.
With this approach, I find that my confidence in my own creative voice has only grown, and has even opened doors to some incredibly meaningful opportunities and recognition. I’ve had the honor of working with some remarkably talented individuals and teams that have profoundly influenced the trajectory of my career and personal growth. Over the past two years, I’ve had the immense pleasure of interning at companies like Apple and Wieden+Kennedy—experiences that have served as invaluable foundational stepping stones as I prepare to step into the real world. I’m also deeply grateful for the recognition and validation I’ve received from my peers, mentors, and through national and international awards and publications. My work has been honored by D&AD, Graphis, Communication Arts, CSS Awards, and Indigo Awards.
Overall, collaboration has been a cornerstone of my growth as a designer. I’ve come to see the value of collective thinking—whether that means leading a team or contributing as a part of one, I’ve learned to approach projects with empathy, open-mindedness, trust, and most importantly, a shared vision.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m stepping into my final semester at CalArts this January, and while I feel slightly overwhelmed by what’s to come, I’m mostly excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to take a step closer to the life I’ve envisioned for myself. This semester, my focus will be on my thesis at CalArts, which I hope will reflect my passion for staying true to my voice and exploring decolonial influences in design.
Graduating in May feels like a big step forward, and I’m eager to find opportunities in the U.S. where I can continue to experiment, collaborate, and grow as a designer. I’m excited to contribute to spaces that value innovation and diverse perspectives—places where I can push creative boundaries and learn from those around me. Looking further ahead, my dream is to one day establish my own studio. I envision it as a space to amplify diverse voices and create work that feels authentic to me.
As my time as a student comes to an end, I feel immense gratitude for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped me so far. I’m looking forward to what’s next with an open mind, a curious spirit, and a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a graphic designer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shivangichopra.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byshivongi/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1shivangichopra/
