Typography
From French Literature to Lino Prints
What do French literature, dancing, and graphic design have in common? For Poorva Shingre, they're all part of a winding journey that led her to become the visual artist she is today.
Originally studying French literature, she found her true calling in art and design, leading to a vibrant career full of quirky branding, linocut prints, and handmade creations. Explore how this accidental artist embraces her unique style and inspires others through her work and workshops.
Hey Poorva! To start, can you tell us a little about your journey? How did you first get into graphic design and visual art?
I have always had a passion for art, crafts, painting, and making things, but I never planned on pursuing art or design as a profession. Originally, I wanted to be an interpreter and was studying French literature while pursuing a career in professional dancing. However, I unexpectedly got expelled from college during my second year of B.A. (I still laugh at the whole ordeal). I found myself lost and unsure about which direction to take. Eventually, I decided to take the entrance exam for JJ School of Arts, and to my surprise, I got accepted. Both my mom and sister have studied art there - my mom in fine arts and my sister in applied arts. Although I had always been passionate about art, sketching, drawing, and crafts, I had never considered turning it into a profession. During my school days, I went through a phase of making candles and exploring various other artistic pursuits. I never thought that art would become my profession, but here I am - maybe it was meant to be.
You’ve worked at some amazing studios like Beard Design and Locopopo. What was that experience like, and how did it shape your creative approach?
After college, my first job was at Beard, and it was an amazing experience. Contrary to popular belief, working in Goa wasn’t all about being minutes away from the beach and in holiday mode. I actually lived and worked in a very residential area, but I felt like I was at the peak of my creativity during this time. Beard was in its early stages, so being part of the inception and working on the brand identity with Abhisek was a lot of fun.
When I moved on to Locopopo, it was a different kind of high. Lokesh, the founder, was an excellent mentor. His attention to detail and the reasoning behind our work were something I deeply admired and will always carry with me. Everything I learned during my three years at Locopopo has shaped the foundation of my design skills.
Working on NH7 Weekender at Locopopo was incredibly enjoyable. At Beard, we were supposed to create a website for a school, although it never materialised. Nevertheless, the process was truly amazing.
Your packaging and branding work has such a quirky and funny vibe! How did you develop this unique style, and what do you enjoy most about bringing humour and personality into your designs?
I’ve never been able to answer questions about developing a style. To me, style is just the way you draw, in a manner that feels the most like you. As you keep drawing, your style further develops. Looking back at my work from 10 years ago, it’s so different, but it’s still me. It’s the same, yet different – haha! I’ve grown, and my style has evolved with age and experience. When you enjoy creating a piece, it’s reflected in the work and conveys the same feeling to the viewer. Whenever I feel happy seeing some work, I know the artist or designer must have had a great time making it. Enjoying the process is what I love most about designing, which in turn comes from being true to your art.
