Today we’d like to introduce you to Gandhar Vamburkar.
Hi Gandhar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey with design started with just wanting to try out Illustrator. I started learning by myself and was instantly hooked. This curiosity and excitement led to learning software like After Effects, Blender 3D, Touchdesigner and using creative coding for motion and design on my own. While doing all this, I was working on my Engineering degree. During this time, I was introduced to Graphic Design and Publishing because of being the Secretary of the ‘Literary Club’ of our college. We published the college magazine, conducted national-level literary events, and many other activities. I had to put on many hats, one of which was that of a graphic designer.
But what really got me interested in Graphic Design as a career option was when I was building out the UI of the device I was working on in my first job. It was then I realized that I wanted to transition from the technical problem-solving of engineering to the visual problem-solving through Graphic Design.
To pursue my interest in Graphic Design professionally, I decided to get a formal education to excel in the field. And I am happy to share that I got admission from eight out of the ten best-rated U.S. Schools. I chose California Institute of the Arts, and the next three years of my Masters in Graphic Design have been the most enriching, satisfying, and enjoyable time of my life yet.
I worked very hard at CalArts. This involved working on multiple Web Design, Motion Design, and Publication projects; taking up Research Assistantships and internships; getting engaged in student projects like developing my school’s alumni website and many more; and simultaneously ensuring I performed well in all reviews at School. My seminar thesis is a product of passion, creativity, & genuine sweat and has been appreciated with an award from GDUSA at the 60th American Graphic Design Awards. My thesis work delves into my experimentation with traditional storytelling formats, where I have tried to present the close inter-connection between technology, design concepts & dissemination of content and emphasize the importance of graphic design in building a bridge between the past and the future to create innovative ways of communication in the digital realm.
And I would humbly like to mention that much of my work (including my website, portfolio, thesis, and some project work) has been recognized with ten international / national awards and respective publications.
Having a studio of my own has always been a long-cherished dream for me. I have earlier executed end-to-end website design projects of building & launching websites and headed branding, identity, and motion design projects as a studio designer for two years in India.
I am fortunate to have family and mentors who support my dream. I, therefore chose to take an untrodden path and started to work as an independent consultant in the USA. In a span of just six months from graduation, my client list counts around 10, with a good spectrum of work and client diversity. I specialize in websites, and a lot of my work relates to rethinking interactivity and design for the digital medium. However, I also take up assignments for Branding & Identity Building as well as Marketing Collaterals Design.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are often times when I doubt my decisions and myself too. But then, something happens, an appreciation email from a client, an award, a pat from mentors or a hand from friends and I am back again with more motivation.
Starting as a freelance consultant, fresh from college, was not an easy task. I did lose a few assignments because I did not know what to quote & how to pitch, or sometimes I was competing against large agencies. Although I was confident that I would be able to deliver, I did not have a ton of previous work to make them believe in me. But then, I was fortunate to have some really great friends and mentors by my side; Joseph Prichard, Stedman Halliday, and Roman Jaster. I will always be grateful to them.
Another important impediment was not knowing the tricks of trade. I know the ‘Trade’ very well, but the tricks of practicing as a designer are altogether a different horse, and I am still learning to ride it.
This journey is not easy. Lots of hard work, moments of anxiety, patience & perseverance, and financial uncertainties during the pilot stage do take a toll. But the key to making progress is to simply get to work and to keep on working slowly but steadily.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in websites, and a lot of my work relates to rethinking interactivity and design for the digital medium. My work explores how we think about design for existing digital mediums, such as the web, and emerging mediums, such as AR and VR. We are increasingly spending more time on digital media and as such, it is important to think about the nature of our interactions with these media and whether we are really exploring the extent of what is possible with them.
My work also explores the relationship between design and engineering or coding. I build systems that facilitate the creation of visual design either through the input of data or via user interaction. Here as well, I maintain a forward-thinking approach and push design in the directions it needs to go in to truly create a ‘Design for the future’.
In my work, I have explored, investigated, and challenged the ways we design for digital media. I have proposed alternative methodologies for design that break away from the standardization of design that we are currently experiencing. My work delves into my experimentation with traditional storytelling formats to explore how technology coupled with graphic design can help highlight, in a contemporary context; the value, artistry & innovation of traditional storytelling and related art forms. Through this work, I have tried to present the close interconnection between technology, design concepts & dissemination of content and emphasize the importance of graphic design in building a bridge between the past and the future to create innovative ways of communication in the digital realm.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I used to be a drummer in college. I was never that good at it, but it really got me into all types of music. I listen to and genuinely enjoy everything from Indian Classical Music & Western Classical Music to Rock & Pop. In fact, the meaning of my name ‘Gandhar’ is a ‘swara’ or a ‘musical note’ in Indian Classical Music. Unfortunately, my musical name did not grant me any musical prowess or aptitude, though I genuinely wish it had!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gandhar.design/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gandhar12/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gandhar-vamburkar-23556916a/
