Interview with Arani Halder

I love creating work that explores the connections between language, culture, pluralism and is heavily influenced by my experiences. In addition to traditional graphic design, I have experimented with diverse media such as bookmaking, bookbinding, print making, painting, sculpture and even cooking to portray my ideas and message. I believe that I am equal parts artist and designer, in the sense that my work while being artistic and conceptual is produced into work with a designer’s sensibility that aims to tackle the issues at hand. My goal is to inspire people to look more carefully at the world around them, and to be able to contextualize themselves within larger systems.

One of the most important things to be aware of is to be open to criticism. Design is subjective, and not everyone will love your work. Use constructive criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow. Criticism from others can help us identify these blind spots and see our work from a fresh perspective. Being open to criticism also shows that you are committed to producing the best possible work and are willing to take constructive feedback to achieve that goal. Also, success in graphic design, like any other industry, takes time, hard work and dedication. Be patient, stay focused on your goals, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things!

What distinguishes a good designer from a great designer is the ability to find and develop one's own individuality. While many designers have their own signature techniques, mediums, and aesthetics, great designers uniquely innovate and push the boundaries of these elements to create a distinct identity. Great designers are continuously building and refining their identities, working diligently on their craft every day, no matter how small the task. This relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth is what sets them apart.

A really good design effectively addresses the needs of the user or client while being easy to use. Beyond functionality, it should be visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing, engaging the viewer and eliciting an emotional response. Additionally, a good design is flexible and adaptable, suitable for different contexts and capable of meeting various needs. When evaluating good design, I look for these qualities: usability, visual appeal, emotional impact, and adaptability. These factors together create a design that is not only effective but also resonates deeply with its audience.

Design is something that has the power to influence society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time. It is a universal language, and offers powerful opportunities to express our common humanity, challenge assumptions, spark conversation, connect diverse people and promote action for positive change. It can be used to raise awareness and shape the way we think about our society. It can also instill empathy, build a sense of community and challenge various social and cultural oppressions. Essentially, design can change people and in turn, change the world.

The dream project I haven’t yet had time to realize involves a collaborative effort with fellow designers and artists to create something truly innovative. I envision experimenting with unusual materials and mediums to push the boundaries of linguistic design. Projects like these would allow me to explore my passion for creativity and collaboration, combining new ideas and techniques to produce something unique and impactful.

My favorite work till date is Unstranslate. ntranslate explores the barrier between languages through the subjective experiences of people. The book delves into the idea of “home” through accounts of people from around the world. Each of the ten chapters features a different language as narrated by one or more native speakers. Each story of “home” is not only told using a word or phrase from the speaker’s language but also dives into their memories of people, places, events, food & music, hence creating a personal context around it.

Untranslate is primarily meant for the vast number of people who grow up outside their state or country and often lose the privilege of being immersed in their native languages and cultures. In post-colonial countries where generational gap is exacerbated by the fact that younger generations now rely more heavily on colonial languages than their native ones; linguistic design can help motivate deeper connections to family and culture. Further immersing readers in historical, political, pop cultural works can also help them understand the time periods and contexts within which their older or younger counterparts have grown up.

For me, design is the thoughtful and intentional process of creating solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It's a blend of creativity and practicality, where form meets function to solve problems and improve experiences. Design is about understanding the needs of the user and crafting elements that not only meet those needs but also inspire and engage. It's a continuous journey of innovation, where every detail matters, and every decision contributes to the overall impact. Design, to me, is a way to communicate, to express, and to make a meaningful difference in the world.

What helped me become a great designer is my commitment to thorough research and information gathering for each project. By understanding the needs, preferences, and behaviors of the end users, I can create designs that are relevant, effective, and innovative. My process involves multiple iterations and refinements, ensuring that each design meets its goals and requirements. This dedication to continuous improvement and user-focused design has been key to my growth and success as a designer.

I believe that design has a powerful ability to communicate ideas and influence people’s perceptions and attitudes. By incorporating sociopolitical themes into my work, designers can raise awareness, promote understanding and drive positive change. Socially motivated design is also about creating products and services that promote inclusivity and equity, while also addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by different communities. By designing with empathy and challenging assumptions and stereotypes, socially motivated design can help promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Incorporating sociopolitical themes into design work can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By creating work that engages with important social issues, we can make a positive impact on society and inspire others to do the same.

Designers nowadays have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their work, as design has a powerful influence on people’s perceptions, behaviors and values. We should be asking ourselves some essential questions such as: Who will be affected by this design? What are the potential consequences of this design? How does this design align with ethical and moral values? We should be pushing ourselves to create designs that are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of factors such as age, gender, race or ability. This can include considerations such as using inclusive language, designing for different accessibility needs and avoiding cultural stereotypes. Designers have a critical role to play in creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also ethical and socially responsible. By considering the ethical implications of our work, we can create designs that have a positive impact on individuals and society.

Color, materials, and ambiance are crucial in design as they collectively shape the user experience. Color influences emotions and guides attention, while materials affect aesthetics, durability, and functionality. Ambiance, created through elements like lighting and space, sets the tone and context for interaction. Together, they evoke emotions, convey messages, and create a cohesive, impactful design.

Design is something that has the power to influence society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time. It is a universal language, and offers powerful opportunities to express our common humanity, challenge assumptions, spark conversation, connect diverse people and promote action for positive change. It can be used to raise awareness and shape the way we think about our society. It can also instill empathy, build a sense of community and challenge various social and cultural oppressions. Essentially, design can change people and in turn, change the world.

I love creating work that explores the connections between language, culture, pluralism and is heavily influenced by my experiences. In addition to traditional graphic design, I have experimented with diverse media such as bookmaking, bookbinding, print making, painting, sculpture and even cooking to portray my ideas and message. I believe that I am equal parts artist and designer, in the sense that my work while being artistic and conceptual is produced into work with a designer’s sensibility that aims to tackle the issues at hand. My goal is to inspire people to look more carefully at the world around them, and to be able to contextualize themselves within larger systems.

Though I am an early riser, I have created some of my best work after sun down. I find that evenings and nights are more peaceful and there are less distractions; which allows me to give my undivided attention to my work. I like to start out my projects with a lot of research and analysis on the topics that drive the piece. I like making a lot of preliminary rough sketches and experimenting with color and materials before actually diving into the project. Though I am someone who prefers to plan things out, a lot of my work ends up being created more spontaneously and organically.

I spend a lot of time researching and gathering information about the concept that drives any particular project. Researching helps me gain insights into the needs, preferences, and behavior of the people who will use the product or service. This crucial information enables me to create work that is relevant, effective, and innovative. My design process also typically involves multiple iterations and refinements to improve the design and ensure that it meets the goals and requirements.

There are several factors that can make a design successful. A successful design should effectively address the needs of the user or client and be easy to use. In addition to being visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing, it should engage the viewer and create an emotional response. The design should also be flexible and adaptable, able to be used in different contexts and adapted to different needs.

While judging a design, the most important aspect to consider is whether the design effectively fulfills its intended purpose and is functional. It should address the needs of the user or client and be easy to use. It should be intuitive and easy to use and navigate, whilst bringing a fresh perspective to the problem at hand. Finally, the design should be culturally sensitive and appropriate for its intended audience, taking into account cultural norms and values.

I believe that design has a powerful ability to communicate ideas and influence people’s perceptions and attitudes. By incorporating sociopolitical themes into my work, designers can raise awareness, promote understanding and drive positive change. Socially motivated design is also about creating products and services that promote inclusivity and equity, while also addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by different communities.

By designing with empathy and challenging assumptions and stereotypes, socially motivated design can help promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Incorporating sociopolitical themes into design work can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By creating work that engages with important social issues, we can make a positive impact on society and inspire others to do the same.

Designers nowadays have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their work, as design has a powerful influence on people’s perceptions, behaviors and values. We should be asking ourselves some essential questions such as: Who will be affected by this design? What are the potential consequences of this design? How does this design align with ethical and moral values?

We should be pushing ourselves to create designs that are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of factors such as age, gender, race or ability. This can include considerations such as using inclusive language, designing for different accessibility needs and avoiding cultural stereotypes. Designers have a critical role to play in creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also ethical and socially responsible. By considering the ethical implications of our work, we can create designs that have a positive impact on individuals and society.

My last exhibition was an exhibition called Femmes Ensemble, hosted by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC). Femmes Ensemble was a national juried exhibition of works by women in support of women. People, Period. designed by me and fellow artist Anamika Ananth was displayed at this exhibition. I am looking forward to hold my next exhibition sometime this year.

I am inspired by a vast variety of things; they can be anything from people, books, news, music, travel, emotions, memories to other artists and their work. I love talking to different people, understanding their practice and techniques and learning about their interests and thoughts. I also try to observe object around me at a micro level; the symmetry/asymmetry, colors, textures, patterns etc. around us are often times a hidden source of inspiration. The social and political state of the world is also an important source of creativity for me. I try to incorporate concepts like pluralism and autonomy in my work as a means to open windows into the lives of diverse people and the broader socio-political movements that shape them.

I currently live in New York, but I was born in Kolkata and have spent my formative years in Delhi, India. Having grown up in India, most of the art, design and culture I was exposed to was primarily South Asian. Most South Asian art is extremely rich and diverse, not just in terms of mediums and materials but also the content they depict. I have experimented with a lot of these diverse mediums such as fabrics, papers and inks. At the same time, my art also draws on a lot of social and political issues prevalent in India. I aim to use my work to engage in the current social discourse and use it as a means of cultural and political expression.

One of the most important things to be aware of is to be open to criticism. Design is subjective, and not everyone will love your work. Use constructive criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow. Criticism from others can help us identify these blind spots and see our work from a fresh perspective. Being open to criticism also shows that you are committed to producing the best possible work and are willing to take constructive feedback to achieve that goal.

Also, success in graphic design, like any other industry, takes time, hard work and dedication. Be patient, stay focused on your goals, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things!

I believe the design world is filled with innumerable talented and inspiring people. I have met multiple fellow artists and mentors who have really helped build the artist I am today. There is a great sense of comradery and support amongst the members of the art world, as everyone can empathize with the shortcomings and struggles associated with it. It can be difficult to reach your target audience sometimes, opportunities are far and few compared to the amount of talent present. However, the key is to understanding your purpose, your calling, and present yourself and your work with unwavering confidence and conviction.

I believe that it is very important to find and work on one’s individuality as a designer. A lot of designers have their own signature techniques, mediums and aesthetic and I think it’s important to develop your own version of the above in order to find my purpose as a designer. I believe that we’re always in the process of building our identities; however, it helps to work on something every day, no matter how small.

I am trying to work on more passion projects moving forward! I love collaborating with my fellow designers and artists and coming up with new and innovative ideas together. I also want to experiment with more unusual materials mediums and really push the boundaries of linguistic design.

I like to work both independently and collaboratively based on the project. I have found that complex design challenges often require a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. When a problem cannot be easily solved within a single design discipline, it is important to approach it through a diverse range of perspectives in order to develop a comprehensive solution. Through a multidisciplinary approach, I have been able to develop a more well-rounded skillset, better collaboration and communication skills, and be more adaptable to changing design trends and technologies.

I can be contacted via my email aranihalder1@gmail.com or through my Instagram @arani.halder