Meet Sparshita Das | Multidisciplinary Designer and Illustrator

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

Hi Sparshita, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been inclined towards a creative career for as long as I can remember. I started drawing and painting at a very young age, and it was the only thing I did that I not only enjoyed but could also hold my attention for longer periods. However, it wasn’t something I could pursue as a career for a while. Back home in India, the creative path is considered very risky, and I pursued engineering instead. While I agreed with the risks of being an artist, even through my undergraduate engineering degree, I found myself constantly leaning towards extracurriculars that involved art and design. Not only was it an outlet for me to express myself and create things, but it also seemed like the perfect medium for me to be able to do the kind of impactful work I’ve always wanted to do. Post-undergrad, I left the engineering path and decided to go after a design career from scratch. After two years of internships and freelance work, I found myself at Pratt Institute for an MFA. Through graduate school, I learned more about the out-of-the-norm applications of a creative field— it allowed me to pursue a thesis in Animal Welfare! Having a uniquely creative outlet to do meaningful pushed me into the career further, and gave me a stronger reason to keep at it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Multidisciplinary Designer and Illustrator. Most of my work revolves around nonprofits or mission-driven organizations, primarily because I want to know that at the end of the day, I was able to use my skillset to make a positive difference in the world. To me, one of the most fascinating parts of design is when I get an opportunity to dig into the behavioural aspects of it and create something that caters to the needs of my audience in a way that their lives are more convenient because of my work. I want to use my platform to create a more empathetic world. I was able to do that through my award-winning thesis, “Cattle Conversations”, and offer a fresh new perspective to designing for animal welfare. I’m excited about any new opportunities that will keep letting me grow in that direction.

The journey was certainly challenging. As much as I had a support system, I also had a long list of people, some even very close to me, doubting and discouraging me through the way. Additionally, switching from one field to a completely different field was hard. I had no idea where I was going, and would often get stuck in loopholes where I wanted to gain experience, but couldn’t get jobs because everyone wanted someone with a good amount of preexisting experience. I would frequently get confused with the language, thought process and software associated with the field, and was constantly trying to catch up on a lot of lost experience. Through grad school, I was working two jobs alongside my courses, and my days would get very long and exhausting. The journey was very draining— physically, mentally, and emotionally— but it taught me not to give up and showed me that I could do anything I put my mind to. Even after grad school, trying to find a job during an economic crisis was challenging, more so mentally and emotionally. However, I have tried to stay resilient through it, and it always helps to have the support of your loved ones when you can’t push yourself forward!

One of the most important things I learned was that things will never really go as planned, or stay in your control— and you have to accept that. Life isn’t linear, and hard work doesn’t necessarily always guarantee immediate success. What it does guarantee is long-term resilience and growth. Good things take time, but the outcome is always going to be worth it as long as you can be patient and enjoy the journey!

What I want the world to know more about me— As I mentioned, I’m a mission-driven multidisciplinary designer and illustrator. I work with (and love) Web Design, Print, Editorial and Publishing Design, Multi-platform Advertising (including social media, emails and print), and Branding, and my favourites (and probably what I do best) are Illustration, Motion Design, Behaviour Design and Research. I’m a process-based, communicative designer, with a lot of emphasis on thoughts, values and ideas, and I take an empathetic approach to anything I try to produce.

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.
I’m based in Brooklyn, New York. Aside from the more touristy spots like Times Square, Roosevelt Island, Governer’s Island, Empire State Building, World Trade Center and so on, I would take people to some places that feel weirdly homely and exciting to me. I frequently go to Queens to indulge in a variety of South and East Asian cultures and cuisines. One of the first places I went through in the city was Chinatown, and the almost unorganized hustle-bustle very quickly reminded me of home, back in Mumbai, too. I would definitely take my best friend there! I absolutely love the Cooper Hewitt Museum— it’s my favorite museum in New York, and also the Noguchi Museum and the Met. I’m also a very outdoorsy, stay-with-nature and go-for-hikes and runs kind of person, and Prospect Park is my go-to park (more than Central Park!) I would take them there, because I feel like it’s a gem that gets ignored. After all, Central Park is so much more famous. Walking along the Piers, in FiDi, Dumbo-Brooklyn Heights, and Red Hook too. Two markets I would recommend visiting (and eating at too)— Chelsea Market and Industry City. Antique stores— I have a bunch of stores around that I would take them to. Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, Domino Park— never had a dull moment there! Greenwood Cemetery— without a doubt the most amazing range of trees and hidden trails, and the prettiest (and free) cherry blossoms too— Brooklyn Botanical Garden is paid and crowded! These are definitely what I recommend, off the top of my head.

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?
One hundred per cent! I have been lucky to receive a lot of external support before and even through my journey.

In my engineering days, being a part of art and design groups, and being surrounded by some of the most passionate people I know, motivated me. I was also inspired by a senior at undergrad— possibly the most talented artist I know— to believe in myself and take a shot at what I truly enjoy. Without my undergrad support systems, I would have probably stuck with engineering for longer than I did.

I was also lucky to have people believe in me through my internships, and give me opportunities to expand my skillset and leadership skills, even knowing that I was new and inexperienced! At Pratt, I was fortunate to find professors and mentors who understood my journey and encouraged me to find my voice and be unafraid. I owe a big part of my growth in self-confidence to them, and for how much time they dedicated to having one-on-one sessions with me to talk through any guidance I needed. Post-grad school, I started freelancing again and found some of the most sincere, enthusiastic team members anyone could ask for. They not only valued my work but also supported me any time I felt lost or stuck.

I have friends who stood by me right from the start of my journey, a lot of them even going way back to my undergrad, or before! Some family members and friends who never doubted my capabilities. A partner who picks me up every time my self-confidence crashes and burns. They have all been my constant cheerleaders throughout. The list of people is so long!

I also have a truly inspirational book— Edward Sorel’s memoir. It was relatable in so many ways, but more than that, it gave me hope at a very low point in my career that better things are on the way, I just have to give it some time and keep going!

Website: https://www.sparshitadas.com/

Instagram: @sparshita_das

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sparshita-das-208393180/