Meet Arushi Mathur | Architect & Student Production Designer

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

Hi Arushi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
At a very young age I knew that I had a knack for arts and craft. I would always be the first to volunteer to make charts or to decorate the class for Christmas, taking part in dramatics not as an actor but usually the backdrop design head. I was an average student, but always excelled in the creative field.

I have been told that I paint with my words. I am not skilled when it comes to writing, but my imagination is my strong pursuit. It is easy for me to visualize a scene in detail and describe it. During my 9th grade i chose to take technical drawing as my elective course this helped me even more to enhance not only my creative skills but my technical knowledge too. This gave me the motivation to pursue an Architecture degree. I got into Asia’s first and most well known architecture college, Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai, India.

Being an Architecture student I have learnt the science and art of place making. This process has become a natural method for me to commence any design assignment. It has changed my perspective and now spreads beyond just college assignments; be it setting up a plate of food while hosting a dinner, decorating the house for theme parties, imagining scenes in detail while reading. My interest shortly began to widen beyond Architecture. Over the last few years I attended numerous plays with my college friends, at the small yet famous experimental theater in Mumbai, ‘Prithvi Theater’. I was fascinated by how the productions utilized a mere tiny space to perform and create such powerful plays. I began to interact with professionals such as the actors, directors, set designers in this line of work. I was captivated by the process that goes on behind and began to explore it on my own.

This was my introduction to the world of set design and production design. I then did a few voluntary works in this field in the Bollywood industry. I knew i wanted to expand my vocabulary in this subject and decided to apply to colleges that offer me a masters in production designing. I got accepted at American Film Institute Conservatory, Los Angeles for the same. This has helped me become a stronger and even more creative person which has always been my passion.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have always been told i am too mature for my age. I think my ability and desire to grasp and learn about things that excites me helps me be a better person. I am always inclined towards increasing my knowledge, through my education, travel, my family, friends, and anything that i might get inspired by around me. I am very proud of being able to achieve what i set out to do, i wanted to study architecture for my undergrad and wanted to pursue my masters in production design and have been luck and worked hard to do both. I always like to keep myself grounded and surround myself with people who know will help me grow as a person.
Hard work, determination, having the right mindset and people around me has helped me be where i am professionally today. I love and enjoy everything i have chosen to do with my education and professional career, so it has been relatively easy for me to got through it all, its purely because i do it for myself and i like doing what i do.
I think the biggest lesson i have learned is to be a good person, a collaborative and appreciative, passionate and to have a strong idea of what you want, and work your ass off to achieve it.
I believe my work reflects all that too, it helps improve and strengthen everything i do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would firstly like to talk about Mumbai, India, the city i have grown up in. I love this city, the people, the architecture the food. This city will always be home. I would firstly make my friend travel only with the local transportation, the trains, buses and autos (3 wheeler motors). The beaches, the street food all over, the cafes the night life. Going to South Bombay, my favorite, Kala Ghoda cafe. Ah i could spend days and days taking my friend all over this city. I really recommend everyone to visit this beautiful city.

As for Los Angeles, i have been here for a little over 6 months, i haven’t been able to explore the city. I do have my personal favorite eating spots, i am a big foodie, Boran at Hollywood, House of pies at Vermont, Din Tai Fung at Americana and as for desserts Beard Papas and Cold stone ice cream! One thing i tend to do the most during my free time is to go to Universal or Americana’s AMC and watch films. I enjoy going for a walk along Sunset Boulevard and seeing the craziness there. Visiting Griffith Park, and Santa Monica.
I am yet to explore LA, and would love to do so with people!

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 someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout would always go to my parents, they have been so supportive of my dreams and achievements and the biggest influence in my life. My mother has always been there to give me sound advice and helped me be a better person. My father has always helped me grow to be a street smart and academically smart person. I have always been close to them and have been able to be open with them both about my life, my hopes, dreams, desires as well as my downfalls and failures, and they have always been there with me through it all. Both my parents have a creative side to them, my mother is a commercial artist and now runs her own Balcony designing firm in India, she is the most creative person i know. My father is a cartoonist in his free time, He has a brilliant mind. My parents have helped me become the person i am today and i will always be grateful for that. My younger brother too deserves credit for being an emotional and creative support. I am very proud of his achievements. We are constantly checking up and giving advice to one another. Having a supportive family has helped me a lot to be able to be where i am today. I would also like to thank all my teachers i have had throughout my educational years.
My school and college friends who have been there to guide and advice me too and again be emotional support whenever i need them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arushi.mathur/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arushi-mathur-a53000177/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arushimathur9671/videos

Other: https://www.behance.net/arushimathur1