Desi In Design

About Desi In Design

Desi In Design celebrates the journeys of South Asian artists and designers from around the world who are redefining creativity and breaking new ground. Hosted by award-winning creative director and artist Sravya Attaluri, Each episode dives into topics like navigating creative careers, upskilling, building collaborations, and exploring self-expression.Tune in for insights, advice, and stories that inspire. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or simply curious about South Asian art and design, there’s something here for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Sravyaa Attaluri

Category

arts · arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Nov 2024

Latest episode

29 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Jun 2026

   S2 E1: Kumari Nahappan on Developing a Contemporary Art Practice, Art as Ritual, and Nature as Mentor

   In this special Singapore edition of Desi in Design, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Kumari Nahappan, a Malaysian-born, Singapore-based contemporary artist celebrated for her large-scale public sculptures and multidisciplinary practice spanning painting and installation. Over three decades, Kumari has built one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable contemporary art practices. Her works, inspired by nature, ritual, and material experimentation, have become landmarks across Singapore and beyond. Together, they discuss what it takes to sustain a long-term creative career, the rituals and routines that keep her grounded, and how intuition, faith, and play guide her process. Kumari also shares her approach to working with engineers and collaborators on public art, her views on upcycling and environmental responsibility, and what she’s learned from a lifetime of creating. Filmed in Singapore at Studio Five, Desi in Design’s studio partner and co-producer for this special episode and trailer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   1 Aug 2025

   S1 E7 Sneha Shah on Building a Career in Fine Art, Collecting with Purpose, and Challenging Elitism in the Industry

   In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Sneha Shah, a London-based curator, art advisor, and founder of Curaty - a socially conscious art advisory focused on connecting people to meaningful art. With over a decade of experience in the art world, Sneha shares her path from studying fine art and art history to curating exhibitions and building collections for first-time buyers, institutions, and high-net-worth clients. Together, they explore how to enter the fine art industry, what a career in curation and art advisory actually involves, and how to start collecting art without a huge budget. Sneha also explains how funding works behind exhibitions, how the art market is structured, and offers candid insights on elitism and representation in the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   2 Apr 2025

   S1 E6 Hetal Vasavada on Blending Tradition with Baking, Building a Creative Career, and Honouring Heritage

   In this special Desi in Design x Desi Bakes episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Hetal Vasavada, a California-based baker, food writer, and cookbook author celebrated for her innovative take on Indian-inspired desserts in her newest cookbook, Desi Bakes. With a background in biochemistry and a pivot from healthcare to food, Hetal shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur. Together, they explore how she infuses South Asian heritage into her bakes, the importance of community and collaboration in the food world, and the creative process behind developing her cookbook. Hetal also reflects on embracing mistakes, the role of baking in mental health, and the significance of preserving traditional craftsmanship through food and design. Learn how she is helping redefine representation in the culinary industry, all while staying true to her roots. Keywords: Hetal Vasavada, Milk and Cardamom, Desi Bakes, South Asian desserts, baking and mental health, Indian-inspired baking, cookbook author, MasterChef, food styling, food photography, creative entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, textiles and design, women in food, recipe development, collaboration, Gujarati heritage, representation, slow content, desi creativity, baking as self-care.

4. 

   6 Feb 2025

   S1 E5 Doaly on The Art of Movie Posters, Navigating Freelance and Finding Community

   In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with Doaly, a UK-based graphic designer and digital illustrator known for his bold, conceptual storytelling approach to illustration. With over a decade of experience, Doaly shares his journey from leaving his UI/UX career to working with global brands like Marvel and Disney. Together, they discuss his creative process, the importance of cultural identity in his work, and iconic projects like the Wonder Woman poster. Doaly also reflects on balancing self-doubt, navigating licensing complexities, and his desire to create a legacy through his own comic character.

5. 

   12 Dec 2024

   S1 E4 Hashmukh Kerai on Building a Freelance Career as a Motion Graphics and 3D artist

   Sravya Attaluri talks to Hashmukh Kerai about how he leveraged his motion graphics and 3D art skills to carve out a successful freelance career working with global brands.

6. 

   5 Dec 2024

   S1 E3 Nikki Kotecha on Navigating Apprenticeships, Cultural Appreciation and Becoming A Tattoo Artist

   Tattoo artist Nikki Kotecha shares her apprenticeship journey, cultural appreciation, and creative process, revealing the importance of meaningful client relationships in enhancing the tattooing experience.

7. 

   26 Nov 2024

   S1 E2 Murugiah on Embracing Identity and Finding a Unique Style

   Murugiah, a British Sri Lankan multidisciplinary artist, shares insights on embracing identity and finding a unique style through his vibrant and surreal art creations.

8. 

   13 Nov 2024

   S1 E1 Laxmi Hussain on Balancing Identity, Emotional Expression, and Life as a Full-Time Artist

   In this episode, Sravya Attaluri sits down with London-based painter and multidisciplinary artist Laxmi Hussain. Known for her signature use of blue, Laxmi’s work artfully blends abstract and realistic elements to explore themes of motherhood, identity, and the human body. She reflects on how her cultural roots and family memories shape her creative focus and approach to body representation. Together, they discuss the challenges of sharing deeply personal pieces, balancing commissioned work with creative freedom, and Laxmi’s belief that creativity is an innate part of human expression.

9. 

   5 Nov 2024

   Episode 0: Welcome to Desi In Design

   Welcome to Desi In Design, a podcast that celebrates South Asian artists and designers who are redefining creativity. Hosted by award-winning artist and creative director Sravya Attaluri, this show explores the unique journeys of creatives navigating cultural expectations, building careers, and embracing self-expression. In this trailer, Sravya shares her inspiration for creating Desi In Design and gives a sneak peek into the candid conversations and insights you can expect from each episode. Whether you're an emerging artist, a seasoned creative, or just curious about the world of South Asian art and design, there’s something here for you. Tune in and join us on this journey to celebrate and amplify South Asian creativity.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,907

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

6

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

32