(Aw)ChatWithAashna

As an intern, I always dreamt of taking on a project from start to finish. And recently, I had the incredible opportunity to do just that. I was tasked with designing the logo and branding deck for  Pebble House , a luxurious commercial building that seamlessly blends work, play, and relaxation. The Conceptual Phase: A Smooth Start The initial brief was straightforward: a clean, modern, edgy logo that reflected the building's unique concept. I dived into the conceptualization phase, brainstorming and sketching various ideas. I eventually came up with three distinct identity design options to present to the client. Typography: A Challenging Hurdle While the conceptualization was relatively smooth, I encountered a significant roadblock: typography. I realized that my typography skills needed significant improvement. Fortunately, my mentor, Salil Awchat, provided invaluable guidance and support throughout the process. His expertise was instrumental in helping me refine the typography ...

This week was a refreshing change from the usual design grind. We had a new client from Goa, a purveyor of exquisite, artisanal gin distilled from the heart of the Goan forests. This wasn't just any gin; it was a premium, handcrafted spirit, made with botanicals and a unique distillation process. The client visited our office, sharing samples and their vision for the brand. It was an inspiring experience, a glimpse into the world of craft spirits. Our task was to design packaging that would reflect the premium nature of the product and ensure it stood out on the shelves. We presented three distinct concepts, each with its own unique aesthetic. For one of these concepts, I collaborated with a senior designer, working on a specific aspect of the design. One of the most exciting parts of this project was the opportunity to create physical prototypes. While digital designs look great on screen, translating them into tangible products can often reveal unexpected challenges. We printed v...

I'm thrilled to share that my first project with the agency is now live! It's a proud moment for me as a designer, and I'm excited to see my work contributing to their brand. If you recall, I previously shared the process of creating a set of icons for 8848 Digital. It is a digital transformation and leading software development company that specialises in developing custom solutions for businesses across various industries. As a certified silver partner of ERPNext/ Frappe, they provide top-notch ERP solutions that help businesses manage their operations efficiently. From initial brainstorming to the final pixel-perfect icon set, it was a journey filled with creativity and problem-solving. Now, seeing these icons in action on the website is incredibly rewarding. It's a testament to the collaborative effort between the agency and the 8848 Digital team. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work on such a project. This is just the beginning of my journey as a designer. ...

I've often been told that the smallest details can significantly impact the overall appeal of a project. One such detail that often gets overlooked is the location map in a real estate brochure. However, in our recent real estate project involving three distinct properties from the same builder, we realised the potential of a well-crafted location map to elevate the entire brochure experience. The Challenge: Our client, a renowned real estate developer, had three projects in different locations: a luxury property and two affordable yet premium housing developments. The challenge was to create location maps that not only accurately depicted the properties' locations but also aligned with the unique branding and positioning of each project. The Solution: Custom Location Maps We decided to go beyond the standard Google Maps screenshot and create custom location maps that would be both informative and visually appealing. Here's how we approached it: Style and Concept: Luxury Pr...

I actually learnt how to make a presentation. You would probably think what is there to learn in that. I thought the same.  I've always thought that doing the final design was the most important part, but I was wrong. The way you present your work can make or break its impact. I recently had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of presentation design. It turns out there's a lot more to it than just slapping together a bunch of slides. This is something that you do not learn in design school. Probably comes to some people naturally but there should be a certain sense of how you think of presenting your work effectively. The flow, structure, and even the amount of information on each page are all crucial elements. One of the most interesting things I learned was about "hygiene checks." These are little details that can make a big difference in the overall presentation. Things like font consistency, colour palettes, and even the spacing between elements can all affe...

Recently, our agency was tasked with creating the user experience (UX) for 8848 Digital, a digital transformation company. While I'm not part of the UX/UI design team, I jumped into the project to design 20 icons for a specific part of their services. Designing icons might seem like a simple task, but it's incredibly time-consuming and requires a keen eye for detail. It's about finding the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, ensuring that the icons are easily recognisable and visually appealing. It's a lot more than just drawing shapes on a screen. It's about capturing the essence of a brand, understanding its values, and translating them into visual elements. One of the first steps was to establish a consistent icon style. We wanted to create a cohesive look that aligned with 8848 Digital's brand identity. After experimenting with different colours and shapes, we settled on a single-colour icon style. Once the style was set, I was able to carry i...

THRIVE, Axis Bank's internal talent development platform, offers a range of resources to support employee growth. This online portal includes courses, job opportunities, and other career advancement tools. I've designed several logo options that aim to capture the essence of THRIVE. While I can't share specific details due to confidentiality, I'm keen to know your pick on which logo best aligns with the brand's identity and goals.

I’ve always been drawn to the world of packaging design. The idea of seeing my designs on store shelves has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. But as I’ve learned during my internship, there’s a lot more to packaging than just executing a pretty design on Illustrator. Flat design Today, I got a glimpse into the nitty-gritty of the process. Starting with a client’s reference, I was tasked with creating a KLD and a print file. This might sound like jargon, but it’s essentially the blueprint for the packaging structure and the artwork that goes on it. It taught me that you need to be able to visualise how a flat piece of cardboard will transform into a three-dimensional box. You need to have a keen eye for detail, ensuring that everything from the dimensions to the placement of the logo is spot on. Mockup Design school taught me a lot about aesthetics, but it didn’t quite prepare me for the practicalities of packaging ...

Today was a much-needed respite from the usual hustle and bustle of the office. With a lighter workload, we took the opportunity to relax and recharge. We spent the day scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration,  watching song music videos, playing the board game Rummikub, and engaging in casual conversations with the team. Around 5 PM, everyone seemed to shift into weekend mode, and it was a refreshing change of pace. It made me realize how important it is to take breaks and enjoy the company of good colleagues. While work is an essential part of our lives,it's equally important to recognize that it's not the only thing that matters. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to step away from the desk and simply relax. Here's a little snippet of what Happy Hour without alcohol could look like :)

I'm thrilled to share some news! I recently landed a freelance client through LinkedIn. The client, a retailer of luxury perfumes and gifting hampers, needed a catalog, social media posts, and a standee for events. While I'm not a huge fan of doing solely social media work, I thought it would be a great opportunity to do different kind of work and earn some extra income. Balancing this freelance project with my internship has been a bit of a juggling act, but I've managed to keep things under control. I work on freelance designs after hours but some days when internship work is lesser then I do it at office also so it's manageable to meet deadlines.  I've always been a bit shy when it comes to networking and pitching my services. The whole pricing my design services and sending our pitch emails and invoices to clients has been a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest.  I'm also really enjoying the creative freedom that comes wit...

After two months of my internship, I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the work and the team. While I haven't had a major breakthrough yet in terms of work, I'm excited about the opportunities that may arise in the next few months. This week, I delved into research, a new area for me. I was part of the UI/UX team, and I quickly realized how different it is from the branding I was doing till now. It's much more about research and referencing. The UI/UX head is just so good at pulling up references! What takes me an hour to find, he could probably do it in 15 minutes- probably comes with experience.  Finding the right images for our website on Shutterstock and iStock was a challenge, especially given the technical nature of the project. It took me a while to get used to the specific keywords and jargon. I learned that convincing clients to invest in paid fonts and high-quality stock images can be surprisingly difficult....

             Hey fellow designers! Ever have one of those days where you just get sucked into a book and lose all track of time? That's exactly what happened to me recently with  "Pocket Full of Do" by Chris Do . This book isn't just your typical business read, it's a treasure trove of insights and inspiration for anyone in the creative field. Chris Do, a successful entrepreneur and designer himself, shares over two decades of experience in a way that's both insightful and entertaining. It's like getting a peek inside the mind of a creative powerhouse, learning from his successes and stumbles along the way. Here's why I loved it: An array of topics:  From entrepreneurship to creativity, philosophy to business strategy, "Pocket Full of Do" covers a wide range of subjects relevant to designers. It's like a one-stop shop for fueling your creative fire. Real-life stories:  Chris doesn't just throw...

Here, I have got a chance to work on some really cool branding and packaging projects but editorial design holds a special place in my heart. So, when I got the opportunity to work on a real estate brochure, I jumped at the chance. I'm afraid I cannot mention too many details but nevertheless, I'm going to take you through my journey. The initial design phase was a whirlwind of ideas and layouts. We experimented with different styles, seeking the perfect balance of aesthetics and information. Getting the internal team on board with one concept was a challenge, involving multiple rounds of revisions and feedback. But once we locked the layout, the rest of the design seemed to flow effortlessly.  That’s when reality hit. The glamorous world of design collided with the technical demands of print. There were margins, bleed, colour profiles, and a whole lot of other jargon I wasn’t familiar with. It was a steep learning curve, a far cry ...

Monday morning blues were in full effect. I was already running late and mentally preparing for the dreaded commute when a work-from-home announcement saved the day. After a well-deserved extra hour of sleep, I settled into my makeshift home office with a cup of chai. While I miss the office banter, there's something undeniably relaxing about working in pyjamas.   

I wanted to share a bit about working on the brand, My Milestones , a premium kids wear brand. I joined the team after the initial branding phase but have been lucky enough to get involved in some interesting parts of the whole project.  Recently, I had the opportunity to be on set for our 6-9 month old photoshoot.  While the babies were undeniably adorable, the day was long and filled with the usual challenges of a photoshoot. It was a constant battle of playing peek-a-boo, singing silly songs, and even pretending to be a shark to elicit a giggle. We danced, we jumped, we made ridiculous faces - all in the name of capturing the perfect shot.  It was a good experience to see firsthand the amount of work that goes into creating images for a brand. On a different note, I've also been working on the investor deck for this brand.  This has been a steep learning curve as I'm new to the business side of things. It’s ch...

"You're telling me," I groaned, staring at the blank screen. " This logo has to be  perfect ." My design director, Sarah, a woman who could turn a simple font into something so interesting, sighed dramatically.  "Listen, words are for poets. We're designers. Show, don't tell." I'd been struggling with a logo for what felt like an eternity. It was for a real estate brand, something sleek, luxururious, and memorable. My brain was a whirlwind of ideas, but they all looked like blobs on paper. How difficult could it be to make a logo, I thought to myself. " It's like trying to explain the colour purple to a blind person ," She said. Sarah raised an eyebrow.  "Exactly." She gestured to her computer screen, filled with mood boards and inspiration.  "Pinterest is for everybody, here, check these out." Tools.com- toools.design  Best typography resources and font pairings World Brand Design Soci...

Buckle up, because I'm about to take you on a whirlwind adventure – my first-ever brand photoshoot experience! As you might know, Awchat Olsen is the creative force behind some amazing brands, and this week, we were lucky enough to be part of a photoshoot for our retainer client,  Chambor , a leading makeup brand. The occasion? The launch of their new matte foundation! You might be wondering how I ended up involved in a photoshoot. Well, guess what? I got to be part of the pre-photoshoot mood board creation!  But the real magic happened when I stepped onto the set itself. It was a whirlwind of activity! There were stylists, makeup artists, photographers – everyone working together in perfect harmony. One minute I was mesmerised by the elaborate lighting setup, the next I found myself holding a hair blower, helping to create the perfect windswept look for the model! And let's not forget the vanity v...

Ah, Mondays. The universal symbol of a fresh start. But here at Awchat Olsen, Mondays hold a special place. Every Monday at 11am, our team of 11 gathers around the conference table. You see, when our director flips the switch on this neon banana lamp, it's a universal signal – the (Un)Official Monday Meeting is about to begin! We love our neon banana light! First things first, we get down to business. We map out the week's agenda, brainstorm solutions to any looming challenges, and ensure everyone's on the same page. It's like planning a week-long creative adventure, and everyone brings their A-game to the table. We share ideas on ongoing projects, offering constructive criticism and celebrating innovative approaches. It's a safe space to learn from each other and push our creative boundaries. The Meeting room! The crew! But the real magic happens after the agenda is set. We dedicate a chunk of the meeting ...

Hey everyone! Thrilled to be kicking off this blog to share my internship experience. This past week flew by in a whirlwind of new faces, exciting projects, and (let's be honest) a serious case of Mumbai's famous monsoon. Awchat & Olsen,  Mumbai College vs. Corporate Coming straight from the world of college, this first week has been an eye-opener. Don't get me wrong, I loved the flexibility and freedom of college life. There were late-night study sessions fuelled by pizza, impromptu cancelled classes, and endless discussions about everything and nothing with classmates. Here at Awchat & Olsen, the structure is different. There are set schedules, deadlines to meet, and a focus on professional communication. It's definitely an adjustment! Missing the Comfort Zone While I'm excited about the new challenges and responsibilities, there are moments where I miss the familiar comfort of college....