Meet Aparna Balasubramanian | Industrial Designer

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

Hi Aparna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always wanted to create objects that invite people to slow down and build more intentional relationships with the things they use every day. When I started experimenting with porcelain stemware, I realized I’d found something that had the potential to be so much more. My goal was to fiind that middle ground between the delicacy and elegance of fine glassware, but with the grounded, tactile warmth that ceramics can provide.

The journey has been very hands-on, moving from wheel-thrown prototypes to refining production through slip-casting. For me the ‘how’ is just as important as the ‘what.’ My brand, Cirq, actually started as a project on integrating sustainability into ceramic production. It’s a small home-goods business, but I’ve built it on the idea of taking full responsibility for the entire lifecycle of a product—aiming for a ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach that is intentional and resource-aware.

Ultimately, I’m just deeply inspired by people and the rituals they keep. I love the challenge of making everyday life feel a little more elevated and playful through conscious design. The response so far has been so encouraging and receptive, and honestly, I’m just having a lot of fun seeing this vision start taking shape and come to life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My love for art started with my grandma when I was very young, and I’ve been exploring that world ever since. Art became my way of processing the world. I expressed myself through dance, theatre, music, and fashion, but I always had this deep, constant itch to figure out how things actually work. I realized I didn’t just want to make something look pretty, I wanted to understand its mechanics and its purpose.

Industrial Design became the bridge that turned my love for making into a way of thinking. What I love most about the field is its sheer breadth; the fact that you can apply the same design rigor to a medical device as you do to a ceramic cup. I’ve always been someone who enjoys wearing many different hats, and Industrial Design provides the perfect environment to do that. It’s a space where being ‘multidisciplinary’ isn’t just a trait, it’s a strength that allows me to be curious for a living.

It wasn’t exactly easy. In many circles, art is still seen as a hobby rather than a viable career. I’m incredibly grateful that my family encouraged me to follow my curiosity. Coming from the intense environment of ArtCenter, my curiosity often led me toward incredibly ambitious projects that pushed me far outside my comfort zone. However, I learned the hard way that when deadlines and deliverables loom, I would push my limits and force creativity which led to pretty bad burnouts. It took me a while to realize how unsustainable that pressure was for my craft and my health.

I’ve had to learn how to set firm boundaries on my creative output and prioritize rest and recuperation as a part of the design process, rather than something that takes away from it. Now, when a prototype isn’t working after weeks of trying, I don’t see it as a failure, it’s just data. I’ve learned 100 ways not to do something, and that knowledge almost always finds its way into a future project.

I think what sets my work apart is the way I bridge different worlds. I use Jugaad, the Indian concept of resourcefulness, alongside the technical design skills I’ve picked up. I also look at my ADHD as a superpower for pattern recognition which helps me connect ideas that might seem unrelated to others. I see myself as a ‘collector of skills’ who loves diving into new crafts just to see how they work. Getting into that flow state, where I’m experimenting without the pressure to be perfect, is where I feel most at peace.

With my brand, Cirq, I want the world to know that beautiful objects can, and should, be intentional. I’ve learnt that success for me is twofold. Internally, it’s that quiet moment when a messy idea finally turns into a physical object that supersedes my vision. Externally, it’s about the person who ends up using it. I love designing things that feel playful and elevated. If my work can gently interrupt someone’s busy day and turn a simple task into a mindful, tactile moment, that is the ultimate win.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love checking out thirft stores and flea markets in LA, with the Pasadena City College Flea Market being my personal favorite on the first Sunday every month. I get a lot of inspiration from retro and vintage furniture, clothes and products so every visit is a great way to see what’s out there and to decorate my apartment. The Remainders Creative Reuse in Pasadena is also a great spot for secondhand art and craft supplies. They have everything you didn’t know you needed for an art project you haven’t started yet and I’m inspired every time I visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my teacher and mentor, Ariel Brice. He is an incredible ceramicist with an absolute ocean of knowledge and expertise. Beyond the technical skills, he has been one of my biggest supporters and a true sounding board as I’ve navigated the journey of building Cirq. Having a mentor who deeply understands the medium and believes in my vision has made a huge difference.

Website: https://aparnabala.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabala