Ep. 324 – Why boredom is your best creative tool ft. Artist Vishwa Shroff

Every building has a story. Every crack, every stain, every surface holds a memory of someone who was there before you. The question is — are you looking?In this episode of The Gyaan Project, host Kedar Nimkar sits down with Mumbai-based artist Vishwa Shroff for a slow, rich, and deeply thoughtful conversation about the art of drawing, urban observation, and what it means to build a creative practice from the ground up.This episode is part of an ongoing series with MATTER — an architectural design and curatorial practice with a deep interest in design discourse in India.ABOUT VISHWA SHROFFVishwa Shroff is a Mumbai-based contemporary artist represented by TARQ Gallery and co-founder of SQW Lab. Her practice is rooted entirely in drawing — not painting — and she has exhibited her work internationally in London, Basel, and Tokyo. Her work explores urban memory, architectural space, and the human traces left behind in the built environment.WHAT WE TALK ABOUT🖊️ Drawing vs. Painting — Why Vishwa insists drawing is a fundamentally different act from painting, closer to writing than to gesture, and why the distinction matters more than the medium.🐦 Pigeons, Architecture & Memory — How Vishwa arrived at architecture as her subject matter by following the flight of pigeons in Baroda, and how a family home transition sparked a lifelong interest in memory and space.📷 Why the Camera Captures Too Much — Her complicated, tension-filled relationship with photography, why she believes drawing is an act of editing, and how she uses the camera as a tool without surrendering to it.🏙️ Reading Cracks & Stains — Why the details most people walk past — the cracks, the stains, the worn surfaces of buildings — are where Vishwa finds her richest material, and how each drawing becomes a time capsule.📓 The Daily Practice — How her sketchbook works as a living database, why she takes notes even while watching Bollywood films, and how observations spiral into finished works over time.😴 Boredom as a Creative Tool — Why being bored is not a problem to fix but a creative state to cultivate, and why sitting in your studio doing nothing might be the most productive thing you can do.🎨 Finding a Gallery — The honest, unscripted story of how Vishwa found gallery representation — and why she describes it as an arranged marriage.💪 Advice for Young Artists — On discipline, rejection, daily practice, and why art-making is an addiction with no retirement and no exit strategy.KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE"Drawing is an act of editing. The camera captures too much — more than what my eye wants to see. Drawing lets you take a mop to things.""The best way to get over a creative block is to be bored. Then you will start to find things to self-entertain.""Be active every single day. Make it the way you brush your teeth. Whatever your material is — just do it every single day.""Art-making is a compulsion. If you take away drawing, cigarettes, and food — there'll be none of me left."ABOUT THE MATTER SERIESThis conversation is part of The Gyaan Project's ongoing series with MATTER — an architectural design and curatorial practice with a deep interest in design discourse in India. Each episode in this series brings together artists, architects, and creative thinkers exploring the intersection of space, design, and culture.CONNECT WITH VISHWA SHROFF Follow Vishwa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vishwashroff/Explore SQW Lab: https://www.instagram.com/sqwlab/TARQ Gallery: https://www.instagram.com/tarqmumbai/CONNECT WITH THE GYAAN PROJECT thegyaanproject.comCHAPTERS(02:13) What is drawing for you? (04:11) Difference between drawing and painting (05:26) What happens when you see an object to draw? (07:16) Why does an artist's subject matter? (13:47) Isn't drawing technical? (14:36) What do you draw? (19:23) How do you connect the viewer to your work? (23:22) How does drawing enrich the person who is drawing? (27:31) How do you decide what to draw? (31:21) How does permanence look in your work? (33:17) Journey of a drawing — from sketchbook to a gallery (36:08) How can one train oneself to be slow and observe details? (40:00) Tips & advice for young artistsENJOYED THIS EPISODE?If this conversation made you stop and think, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more curious minds find the show. Share this episode with a fellow artist, architect, or creative who needs to hear it.Stay curious. 🎙️----------------------------------------The Gyaan Project has been documenting Indian creative wisdom since 2016 — 300+ conversations on design, art, culture, and craft with leading practitioners across India and the world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

SummaryWhat does it really mean to teach design in India today? In this powerful conversation, Dinesh S, an architect with 35 years of practice and founder of Bangalore School of Design and Technology, challenges everything we think we know about design education. From the factory-like classrooms stuffing 90 students together to architecture syllabi unchanged since the 1980s, Dinesh unpacks the uncomfortable truths holding back Indian design innovation. This episode is for students, educators, and anyone who believes India can do better with how we teach creativity, curiosity, and aspirational design thinking.Topics we discussed* How do you define design, education, and design education in general?* Would you differentiate between education in general versus design education and if so, how?* Could you explain what is aspirational design?* What are the building blocks or framework that you use to make an aspirational designer?* What are the gaps that you see when students are entering into the market and getting a job?* How do you explain to break the rules before knowing the rules?* How can a well rounded multidisciplinary learning experience happen if a design student is wanting to learn design?* Is curiosity diminishing in students and what is stopping innovation in design at a radical level?* If a design school has to have some measure or metric of success, what would be the measure of it?* How do you see the future of design education in India?Reference reading* Bangalore School of Design and Technology* Bangalore School of Design and Technology LinkedIn* Bangalore School of Design and Technology Instagram* BSDT Facebook* Ken Robinson TED Talk* T-Shaped Designer Concept* Bangalore Interior Design Industry* New National Institute of Design This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

In this concluding episode of the Craft series, I (Kedar Nimkar, Host of The Gyaan Project Podcast) speak with Randy Hunt, Head of Design at Notion and Chair of the MFA Design program at SVA. Randy reflects on craft as a combination of skill, practice, and judgment, and shares how taste shapes meaningful software experiences. The conversation explores speed versus quality, scale versus care, and why momentum can sometimes improve craft. Randy also offers an interesting perspective on how he sees, AI as a material, and explains what stays as tools as technologies change. This episode is for designers, product leaders, engineers, and makers who care deeply about building thoughtful, well made digital products for the long term.Topics discussed(02:14) What is Abecedarium?(04:14) What does craft mean to you?(08:12) How has your definition of craft changed over time?(14:45) Should craft be visible to the end user?(18:04) Can craft and scale go together?(22:28) Any example of great quality with speed?(28:18) Can taste be taught?(38:17) Can craft bring value at an enterprise level?(43:32) How do you look at craft at Notion?(46:57) How do you see the future of craft in the world of AI?(48:43) How do you practice craft at Notion with AI?(51:17) What would your poster say about design?(52:00) How do you see craft evolving in the next 10 years?Reference linkshttps://www.instagram.com/randyjhunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/randyjhunthttps://www.randyjhunt.comhttps://www.notion.com/blog/meet-randyhttps://books.google.com.sg/books/about/Product_Design_for_the_Web.html?id=paKPAQAAQBAJ&source=kp_author_description&redir_esc=yhttps://pda.designsingapore.org/jurors/2020/randy-hunt/https://design.sva.edu/cofaculty/randy-hunt/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268NRHhPSZ0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ux5g5PnIoYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Mr1WRvYiAhttps://www.designweek.co.uk/a-lot-of-this-is-about-rituals-an-hour-with-notion-design-chief-randy-hunt/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4JEl7LHgqIhttps://www.thegyaanproject.com/p/ep-321-lucy-datynerhttps://www.thegyaanproject.com/p/ep-320-how-craft-shapes-digital-producthttps://www.thegyaanproject.com/p/ep-319-craft-as-way-of-doing-things This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

In this episode of The Gyaan Project, I speak with Lucy Datyner, Principal Designer at Canva, about craft, taste, and the future of product design in the age of AI. Lucy shares how craft goes beyond polish into problem solving, why simplicity is always informed by context, and how designers can build taste through curiosity, critique, and making. The conversation explores AI as a co-creator, the importance of keeping humans in the loop, and why junior designers still matter. This episode is for designers, product leaders, and creators navigating design, craft, and AI today.Topics discussed(00:00) Introduction(02:09) What does craft mean to you(04:16) Is craft about aesthetics(04:57) How do you bring craft into your work(07:29) What is informed simplicity at Canva(08:38) How does AI fit into the world of craft(11:05) How do you define taste(13:19) Any rituals at Canva to build taste(16:08) How do design critique sessions happen at Canva(17:31) How does Canva handle not being monotonous(20:13) What is the role of research in craft and AI(22:55) Will designers be left only to curate(24:51) Will we lose the faculty of crafting with hand after AI takes over(26:59) What excites you the most about AI(29:24) What worries you the most with AI(31:11) What will your poster sayReference links- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucydatyner/- https://lucydatyner.com/- https://contentseoul.com/speaker-profile-lucy-datyner/- https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/design--canva/episodes/E10-Lucy-Datyner--Content-Strategy--Experience-Design-Lead-e2i8mak- Tom Harman (Ep 319 - Part 1 of the Craft Series) https://youtu.be/MuDg4y-52Ec- Caio Orio (Ep 320 - Part 2 of the Craft Series) https://youtu.be/JEvWEyIYKbo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

In this episode of the Craft series, I speak to Caio Orio, Principal Brand Designer at Wise, about the role of craft, taste, and practice in modern digital product design. Drawing from his advertising background and work on global fintech products, Caio explains how craft goes beyond visuals to include strategy, care, and attention to detail. The conversation explores taste, open mindedness, brand consistency, design systems, AI, and building meaningful product experiences. This episode is ideal for product designers, brand designers, and design leaders seeking depth beyond tools and trends.Topics discussed:(00:00) Intro(00:01:00) What does craft mean in digital products?(00:02:30) How Caio’s understanding of craft evolved?(00:03:53) Why craft is essential for designers?(00:06:16) Craft in brand design and digital products?(00:09:16) How Wise maintains consistency in craft?(00:10:43) Rituals and practices that support craft?(00:12:07) Bringing craft into the smallest elements?(00:15:02) How Caio defines taste in design?(00:16:03) Translating taste into digital products?(00:16:59) How designers can develop taste?(00:18:03) Caio’s personal journey of developing taste?(00:20:59) Communicating taste across teams?(00:23:55) How Wise inspires designers and design culture?(00:25:21) Balancing speed and craft in product design?(00:27:14) Prioritising craft without clear business metrics?(00:28:50) Digital products admired for taste and craft?(00:30:05) One essential mindset for future designers?About Caio Orio (Guest)https://c-orio.com/https://www.instagram.com/c_orio/https://www.linkedin.com/in/caio-orio/https://www.behance.net/oriohttps://friends.figma.com/events/details/figma-singapore-presents-designing-wise-the-hidden-layers-in-our-creative-process/https://wise.com/https://wise.design/Join The Gyaan ProjectA newsletter with 4 curated finds across episodes - TGP SamaChar - https://www.thegyaanproject.com/s/samacharFollow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegyaanprojectpodcast/Follow u on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gyaan-project/Subscribe to our Website to stay tuned - https://www.thegyaanproject.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

Tom Harman, a design leader with twenty years of experience at Monzo and BuzzFeed, joins The Gyaan Project to explore craft, taste and the role of AI in modern product teams. He explains how clarity, judgment and shared language shape high quality work. A useful episode for designers, PMs and founders who want to sharpen decision making, move with speed and build trust through thoughtful design.Topics discussed(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:03) What does craft mean to you(00:06:00) Rituals to improve craft(00:11:43) How do you define what great looks like(00:14:21) What does taste mean to you(00:18:57) How do you instill taste(00:22:44) How to keep pushing the boundaries(00:28:49) How is AI a copilot for craft and taste(00:32:38) How to work with AI(00:39:17) Can AI create serendipity(00:41:53) How do we ensure maximum impact and quality(00:47:06) How to handle uninformed decision makers(00:49:26) One poster idea on craft(00:51:32) Future of craft in the world of AIReference linkshttps://intentional.partners/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomharman/https://x.com/tomharmanhttps://mastodon.social/@tomharmanJoin The Gyaan ProjectA newsletter with 4 curated finds across episodes - TGP SamaChar - https://www.thegyaanproject.com/s/samacharFollow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegyaanprojectpodcast/Follow u on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gyaan-project/Subscribe to our Website to stay tuned - https://www.thegyaanproject.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

Today, The Gyaan Project turns 9.And honestly, it feels surreal.Since 27th December 2016, I have been documenting Indian creative wisdom across disciplines and ways of thinking. After 318 episodes, I found myself wondering how to mark this moment and the answer came naturally.So here it is.A small celebration.A warm offering.9th Anniversary Soup9 bites from 9 conversations.This is primarily an audio episode. You can also watch it on YouTube if you like.The episode opens with Dr. Uttara Chousalkar from Episode 66, singing a short phrase of Baul music. The episode then closes with a few lines by Mohammad Muneem Nazir (Alif), from Episode 265.The soup brings together these nine questions and voices:What is Design? by B.V. DoshiWhat is a frame? by Prashant GodboleShould art depict society or should society learn from art? by Varun GroverIs it wise to change your career path in Design? by Ruchita MadhokHow was design seen in the 1970s? by Sujata KeshavanWhat is the measure of a good designer? by Ayaz BasraiWhy do we need art? by Rajat KapoorI hope you enjoy this soup as much as I enjoyed making it.If you would like to give me an anniversary gift - Please share this episode with as many people as you can. And if you have not already, do subscribe to the YouTube channel and The Gyaan Project website. It truly means a lot.Thank you for listening.Thank you for staying.See you next year.Take care.And stay curious. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

SummaryThis episode of The Gyaan Project features Harish Kumar and Anurag Bartarey who shaped Ather Energy’s groundbreaking EV dashboard. Recorded just before Ather’s IPO, we dive into the design process, challenges, and the nuances that make the dashboard so unique. It is ideal for designers, technologists, and EV enthusiasts curious about how hardware and software come together on two wheels. This is not a sponsored episode, just a deep and fun conversation.Topics discussed in the episode* What drew you both to Ather, and what was the mindset when you joined?* Anurag: How did you shift from digital design to vehicles?* Harish: What tech foundations were critical for building the ecosystem?* How did you imagine a new dashboard UX and navigation system?* What challenges came with integrating the dashboard into the scooter’s design?* Anurag: How did you design gesture interactions and Ather’s sonic identity?* Harish: What were the Linux limitations and how did you test with OTA updates?* How did a startup mindset shape Ather’s design outcomes?* With constant updates, how do you balance evolution with the original vision?* Looking back, what critical but underrated decisions shaped Ather?* What advice for young designers working across hardware and software?Reference links* Harish Kumar — https://in.linkedin.com/in/harish-kumar-b0926465* Anurag Bartarey — https://in.linkedin.com/in/anuragbartarey* Anurag’s portfolio — https://www.abartarey.com/* Ather Energy (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ather_Energy* Ather 450 series (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ather_450* Ather Energy (LinkedIn) — https://in.linkedin.com/company/ather-energy* Ather Energy (Instagram) — https://www.instagram.com/atherenergy/* Ep22: Understanding motorcycle design with Chetan Shedjale* Ep. 274 - Designing Trucks with Sathiya Seelan Gangaasalam This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

SummaryIn Ep. 317 of The Gyaan Project, Tanuj Goenka, Director at Kerry Hill Architects and jury member for The Drawing Board 2025, shares how emotion, context and conversation shape timeless architecture. From Bhutan to Kyoto, AlUla to Sadahalli, he reflects on slowing down the design process, listening to the land and building meaningfully. A must-listen for architecture students and young designers. In partnership with Rohan Builders and Mindspace Architects. All details at https://thedrawingboard.in/Reference links* The Drawing Board – Official Website: https:// thedrawingboard.in/* Instagram – The Drawing Board: https:// www.instagram.com/thedrawingboard.in/* YouTube – Museum of Geology Brief: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=60MynnKdDas* Instagram – Sadahalli Quarry Competition Vibe: https:// www.instagram.com/p/DMX41peSLlc/* Tanuj Goenka – LinkedIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/tanuj-goenka-4a58647/?originalSubdomain=sg* Nacasa Interview with KHA: https:// www.nacasa.co.jp/column/2-01-designer-interview-kha-e* Dezeen – Amanyangyun Interview: https:// www.dezeen.com/2019/05/17/amanyangyun-resort-kerry-hill-architects-ahead-awards-interview-video/* Tatler – Aman Resorts and Emotion: https:// www.tatlerasia.com/homes/architecture-design/architect-behind-the-latest-aman-resorts-talks-emotions-and-space* CLAD Global Feature: https:// www.cladglobal.com/architecture-design-features?codeid=32838&source=home&p=2* YouTube – Amanyangyun Video 1: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmgeIGE6q08* YouTube – Amanyangyun Video 2: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ceFbI82hVQ* SIA Event Page 1: https:// store.sia.org.sg/tc-events/16244* SIA Event Page 2: https:// store.sia.org.sg/tc-events/79875* AHEAD Awards – Amanyangyun Film Library: https:// www.aheadawards.com/film-library/amanyangyun-shanghai-china* Sleepifier – KHA Feature: https:// sleepifier.com/architecture-design/kerry-hill-architects/* Instagram Post: https:// www.instagram.com/p/DG2A1JXt0T8/* Instagram – KHA Studios: https:// www.instagram.com/kha.studios/* Instagram Post: https:// www.instagram.com/p/DG0Uf1JS1SL/?hl=en This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com

SummaryIn this episode of The Gyaan Project, architect Manjunath dives deep into the power of observation, the role of intensity in creative work, and the beauty of the unseen. A must-listen for young architects, designers, and creatives participating in The Drawing Board 2025 competition. Set against the backdrop of Sadahalli Quarry, this conversation explores how to approach design with sensitivity, curiosity, and care. Presented in partnership with Rohan Builders and The Drawing Board.Topics discussed in this episode* What is the difference between seeing and observing?* How can we observe without bringing in our biases?* What does experience mean to you?* How do observation and experience shape your design process?* How do you define intensity in creative work?* How can a designer balance knowing the whole story with focused intensity?* What is your reading of the Sadahalli Quarry brief?* How do you interpret the idea of the unseen?* Can technology help us experience the unseen or aid the creative process?Reference links* The Drawing Board – Official Website* Instagram – The Drawing Board: https://www.instagram.com/thedrawingboard.in/* The Drawing Board 2025 — official competition overview and brief* “The Drawing Board 2025 – 10th Edition” on World Architecture Community - https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/fpzhe/the-drawing-board-2025-–-10th-edition.html* YouTube video introducing the Museum of Geology brief at Sadahalli Quarry -* https://wcfa.ac.in/staff/b-l-manjunath/* https://www.instagram.com/manjunath.bl/?hl=en* https://manjunathandco.com/* https://www.archdaily.com/professional/b-l-manjunath-co?ad_source=office* https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjunath-b-l-45973929/?originalSubdomain=in This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegyaanproject.com