Meet Hrishikesh Birodkar

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

Hi Hrishikesh, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The most important decision I made was to start sharing my work online. Creating a page like @hbdgsns and putting my illustrations out there for the world to see was a game-changer. It wasn’t easy at first—I wasn’t sure how people would react, and there was always the fear of criticism.

But taking that step helped me connect with a global audience, and it opened doors I never expected. It’s how I got my first clients, collaborated with people I look up to, and built relationships in the car community.

Sharing my work online wasn’t just about showcasing my skills—it was about putting myself out there and showing people what I could do. That decision has made all the difference

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is all about combining my love for cars and creativity. I specialize in digital car illustrations and merch designs, mostly for car enthusiasts and people in the automotive industry.

What I’m most proud of is the journey itself. I’ve had my work shared by people and brands I grew up admiring, like Gas Monkey Garage. It still feels surreal to know my art has reached people across the world and brought me closer to the car community I’ve always been passionate about.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. Growing up in Goa, India, I didn’t have direct access to the cars I was so fascinated by, and building a niche in automotive art came with a lot of uncertainty. I often had to figure things out as I went—how to price my work, how to market myself, and how to handle the ups and downs of freelancing.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that consistency and putting yourself out there are key. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to start and keep going.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand and story, it’s that it all comes from a genuine love for what I do. I didn’t start this to make it a business—I started because I love cars and art. Everything else grew from there.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d show them the best of the city. We’d visit spots like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and walk the High Line. We’d grab great food—bagels at Russ & Daughters, pizza at Joe’s, and tacos at Los Tacos No. 1. I’d also take them to Classic Car Club Manhattan and end the trip with drinks somewhere in SoHo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who’ve helped me get to where I am today. First and foremost, my parents—they’ve always encouraged me to be creative and supported me, even back when I was just a kid constantly sketching cars. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to chase what I love.

I also owe a lot to the car community. The people who let me draw their cars, shared my work, or just gave me a kind word—they’ve made a huge difference.

Website: www.designbyhb.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbdsgns/

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