Tanvi Kumar is a versatile graphic and UI/UX designer and artist making waves from her base in New York City. Originally from Gurugram, India, Tanvi embarked on her creative journey in the United States in 2019, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, where she specialized in Graphic Design while concurrently pursuing minors in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Book Design.
At the core of Tanvi’s design philosophy lies a deep-rooted commitment to human-centered principles. She envisions herself as a catalyst for meaningful dialogues, shared experiences, and societal change. This guiding ethos is vividly reflected in her collaborative ventures with non-profit organizations such as Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Bronx River Alliance, and Women Who Create.
Here are excerpts from a interview shedding light on Tanvi’s unique perspective and creative endeavors:
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in Design with a focus on branding and UI/UX and how did your journey begin?
I was drawn to pursue a career in design, specifically focusing on branding and UI/UX, as it offered me the perfect intersection of my visual and creative interests with my knack for strategic systems thinking. My journey in this field began with early creative endeavors during high school, where I served as the president of the Art and Design Club and took on roles such as Designer and Editor for the school’s annual magazine.
These experiences ignited my passion for design and led me to choose it as my career path.
I pursued a degree in Communication Design, with an emphasis in Graphic Design, with minors in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Book Design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout these four years, I actively sought out internships to gain practical work experience and explore different facets of Graphic and UI/UX Design. These internships, spanning both in-house roles and positions at various agencies and studios including Code and Theory, and Wunderman Thompson, exposed me to diverse work environments, teams, and projects, enriching my understanding of the field and honing my skills.
Currently, as a Junior Designer at Strong Studio NYC, a dynamic full-service design studio, I have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects for clients across different industries. My responsibilities include designing branded graphics, logos, websites, custom iconography, wayfinding signage, animations, infographics, printed brochures, and flyers. This role allows me to apply my skills and creativity to create impactful visual solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.
2. Could you provide examples of some of the notable projects or work you’ve been involved in within the realm of branding and UI/UX?
In August 2023, I volunteered as a freelance graphic designer for the Bronx River Alliance, a non-profit organization committed to protecting and restoring the Bronx River corridor. In support of their participation as a charity partner for the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon, a popular city-wide annual event, I designed promotional graphics and t-shirts for the team and BxRA runners, aiding their fundraising efforts to reach $17,500. My design received recognition with a Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) award in the Designing for Good category, featured in the GDUSA Annual Magazine.
I am also actively engaged as a graphic design volunteer at Women Who Create, a
non-profit founded by Shaunah Margaret, dedicated to empowering multicultural creative women. In 2023, I led the branding and design for their 5th-anniversary event, celebrating the organization’s mission and accomplishments, as well as providing a
platform for networking and community building among creative professionals. This involved creating a special anniversary logo and developing a comprehensive event design campaign, including social media posts, flyers, directional signage, informational cards, and a custom photo backdrop. Additionally, I have also been contributing to the UX strategy and UI design for their new app, Charisa, a mentorship platform for creative women, which has over 375 sign-ups to date.
In my role as a junior designer at Strong Studio, I played a key role in the complete rebranding of Baughman Kroup Bosse, a law firm based in New York and Virginia, managing the development of visual identity, brand guidelines, business cards, office stationery, signage, and branded collateral for their brand launch event in February 2024. Furthermore, I led the UX strategy and design of their new website, ensuring a seamless digital presence for the brand.
Another complex large-scale project I am currently working on at Strong Studio involves branding, identity, communications, and wayfinding signage for West Wharf, a luxury real estate client in New York City. A critical part of the project is developing a comprehensive design guideline for the brand, which serves as the blueprint for ensuring consistency across all touchpoints and harmonising all the moving pieces including residential wayfinding and signage, branding of the wide range of amenity spaces, and designing for various communication channels. This experience has underscored the importance of attention to detail, strategy-driven system-based design, and adherence to established guidelines, particularly when designing physical and spatial components, like signage, where size, texture, material, legibility, and accessibility are critical.
3. Can you share any advice or insights for aspiring designers, especially young girls, who are interested in pursuing a career in branding and UI/UX?
Based on my personal journey, I would encourage aspiring designers to explore a diverse range of experiences and projects within Graphic Design and UI/UX. By working with different clients across various industries and always looking to master new skills and platforms, you can develop versatile techniques and approaches to strengthen and execute concepts and ideas and always keep learning and growing as a designer.
Furthermore, networking is a super valuable aspect of career development. Attending industry events, joining professional groups, and connecting with experts in the field go a long way. Reaching out to individuals whose work inspires you or who are affiliated with organizations you admire through LinkedIn and having even a simple coffee chat with them can provide valuable insights into their professional journey and experiences. It also helps in building a supportive community within the industry and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passion for design, and who you can learn from.
The connections you make along the way can open doors to opportunities and offer invaluable support and guidance as you progress in your career.
Seeking mentorship from seasoned professionals who believe in your potential and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences can be incredibly helpful, and when you find such mentors, don’t hesitate to ask questions, seek advice, and learn from their expertise.
4. What are your long-term career goals and aspirations within this field?
As a human-centered designer, my goal is to explore new avenues of design thinking and interaction to foster meaningful engagement, cultivate shared experiences, and drive positive change. I am committed to exploring innovative approaches to design thinking and interaction, using constantly evolving technologies to push creative boundaries and spark impactful conversations.
I aspire to continually challenge myself to work with diverse clients across various industries and initiatives. I am dedicated to expanding my skillset, embracing new techniques, and constantly learning new skills and techniques to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of design and keep growing as a designer.
Additionally, I have developed a growing interest in branding and designing for events such as conventions, conferences, expos, and sports tournaments. I aspire to collaborate with a dynamic team to create memorable experiences and elevate the visual identity of global-level events, contributing to their success, driving change, and leaving a lasting impact.
5. How do you envision the field of Design (UI/UX) evolving in the future, particularly in terms of technological advancements and industry trends?
The field of design is evolving rapidly propelled by advancements in technology, particularly AI. The integration of AI is altering the landscape of creation and collaboration, enabling individuals and teams to generate a large volume of design and content efficiently. AI-driven creativity has certainly raised questions about creativity, ownership, crediting, and the ethical implications of AI-driven design processes.
Furthermore, the industry is witnessing a shift towards creating fully immersive and interactive experiences, driven by the integration of VR and AR technologies. This trend not only blurs the boundaries between the digital and physical but also transforms how users engage with the content by embedding it seamlessly into their natural
environments. As a result, designers are trying to create experiences that transcend traditional device limitations and seamlessly integrate into users’ lives and spaces.
Overall, the field of design is constantly changing, and the future of design promises to be dynamic and transformative, shaping the way we interact with and experience content, brands, and the world around us.
