Meet Aarohi Bansal | Illustrator and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aarohi Bansal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aarohi, what inspires you?
I find inspiration from many sources, such as films, TV shows, books, and other artists. I often enjoy exploring memory and nostalgia in my work. When I’m creating, I like to listen to music, and sometimes a particular word or phrase will spark an idea. If I’m feeling stuck, I’ll browse visual archive websites to discover new pieces of art. Overall, I try to find inspiration in different aspects of my daily life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an illustrator and graphic designer hailing from India. I am currently pursuing my Master of Fine Art in Illustration Practice from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, and will be graduating soon. My work mostly revolves around characters and narratives with a sprinkle of whimsy. I like to explore everyday situations and create alternate worlds that challenge not only my imagination but also the conventional norms. My work aims to evoke laughter and contemplation, encouraging people to consider how they perceive things, particularly the idea of normalcy. Patterns and vibrant color palettes play a significant role in my visual language and expression. I experiment with different mediums ranging from digital illustrations to gouache, watercolor, and color pencils. Films, cartoons, and books, that I have grown up watching are a big part of my creative inspiration.

My journey until now has had its fair share of highs and lows. There are moments when I doubt my abilities as an illustrator and suffer from imposter syndrome. I feel the pressure to create work that is not only relevant in today’s world but also enjoyable to make. One of the most significant lessons I have learned, and sometimes have to remind myself, is that everything happens for a reason, and in the end, it will all work out. Everyone has their timeline and way of figuring things out.

As an illustrator, I need to have a practice where I create work that I’m passionate about and is authentic. Where I can convey my ideas and concepts to the audience successfully, while also leaving it open to their interpretation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is my first time coming to the USA and I’m based in Baltimore currently and have never been to LA unfortunately. But I would love to visit it someday myself!

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
I believe that many people have played a significant role in my journey so far. My parents and sister have consistently supported and encouraged me to be fearless in pursuing my dreams, and I consider them to be my biggest supporters. Additionally, my friends have always been there for me, cheering me on whenever I needed it. I have also been lucky in my life to find inspiring mentors who have guided me in my career so far.

Website: https://aarohibansal.cargo.site

Instagram: aa.rohib

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/aarohi-bansal-98b60515a

Image Credits
not applicable