Last updated on November 27th, 2021
Designhill is World’s No.1 freelance graphic design platform that gets you connect with talented pool of over 500,000 graphic designers from all over the world. To highlight their skills and creativity, we choose the ‘Best 11 at Designhill’ every month. Ravi Naveen was voted as the ‘Designer of the Month’ for the month of December.
Ravi Naveen created ‘OneSexyBikerChick’ logo for Inessa Hansen. His creative touch made the logo stand out. The design bagged the winner award among 94 entries. The designer has been fascinated by creative art and has recently developed an interest in branding and marketing.
In order to learn about his approach towards creative designing, interests, and career ambition, we had a chat with him.
Name: Ravi Naveen
Designhill Handle: Ravi Naveen
Location: India
Speciality: Logo Design
Q1. What originally made you want to become a graphic designer?
I always had an interest in fine arts and digital arts. Whenever I see a new design, I get fascinated by the relationship between the type and image. All the old propaganda posters, packaging, records and movie posters with really strong graphics and bold typeface that I found – they all inspired me a lot.
Becoming a professional designer seemed like the best way to exercise my creativity on a daily basis. Moreover, graphic design is something that makes me truly happy. I want to learn everything about design. Till now I have enjoyed my journey and am hoping to make a mark in the field. Wish me luck.
Q2. What thrilled you to begin freelancing full time?
When I was working fulltime, I used to travel 4-5 hours a day. I was struggling with my personal and professional life. I usually missed important family gatherings, holidays and trips. I wanted to make some decent savings as well.
So, one fine morning, I thought, being skilled and sincere about my profession, ‘why not start full-time freelancing’? After having a discussion with my family, I quit my job and started doing freelancing.
Freelancing has given me the opportunities I never thought of. It has given me more time to learn new skills and earn handsome amount of money. I really enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it gives me, and now I am leading a happy life.
Q3. How important do you think feedbacks are? How do you manage to work on them?
I think, no matter in which profession you are in, productive feedbacks are very important. Feedbacks may make you feel uncomfortable, but they are vital if you want to grow.
I personally always welcome healthy feedback. I always try to reach out to the clients, ask them to share their opinion on the design that I have created on particular project.
Based on the discussion and my knowledge, I make necessary changes to the designs. It has not only helped me in coming out with something unique and creative but also given a satisfaction to the client.
Q4. Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
Every design project starts with the clear understanding of the client’s requirement. I thoroughly review the design brief first. For instance, does a client want me to make some changes, or redesign the existing work, or does he want me to start from scratch?
The design brief acts like a map, directing me to the client’s thought process. The next step I follow is to do through research about the nature of the business. Research helps me in getting clear ideas about the trends that the competitors are following.
After a detailed research, I brainstorm the ideas with myself and start sketching the concepts. Sometimes, sketching helps me in coming up with new ideas that results in few variation in the original concept. After shortlisting the sketches, I create the final design and present it in an eye catchy way.
Q5. What was the inspiration behind the design for ‘OneSexyBikerChick’ for which you won the ‘Best 11 at Designhill’ award?
The client wanted me to redesign a logo for their brand. They wanted something new and fresh on the occasion of their 10th anniversary.
Since the brand is into stylish biker apparel and accessories, I decided to give a creative touch to the logo. The logo design has been given a form of a bike that perfectly aligns with the company name and image.
I was pretty much content with my work, but I honestly never thought that I would be chosen as a designer of the month. I really want to thank all who have liked my design and voted me the best!
Q6. What are you passionate about besides your work?
As explained earlier, I always had an interest in Fine arts and Digital arts. I always try to learn new trends. Apart from that, I love to read magazines, novels. I sometimes watch cartoons as well. I know it may sound funny. But yes, I love to watch cartoons.
Watching cartoon is actually very important for me, as I sometimes draw creative ideas from it. And if something very unique comes to my mind, I start sketching it. Those sketches, sometimes, help me in my projects as well.
Q7. Do you have any superstitious beliefs or rules that you live by?
No. I don’t believe in any such thing that lacks evidence. I think life is too short. To pursue your dreams, you must have priority that should occupy your mind.
I always believe in hard work and doing good deeds. Talking about rules, well, whenever I work, I always prefer to sit alone so that I can focus more on my work without getting distracted.
Q8. What’s the best of piece of advice you have heard and repeat to others?
Well, I have had got many! Most of them are related to my work. Start with a great color palette. Don’t get carried away with fonts. Use icons to support your message. Set your own design rules. I think, today all these things have helped me in winning ‘Best 11 at Designhill.’
There is one piece of advice that I would like to share with all the people out there – ‘Never give up.’ Always keep trying in whatever you are doing and you will surely achieve success.
Q9. What’s your favourite music?
Usually, I enjoy listening to all sorts of music. But if I have to narrow down to my favorite, I would go with songs of Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias.
Q10. Which is your favorite food when you run out of ideas?
I love Burgers and Ferrero Rocher shakes. I love to cook. That’s my favorite pastime. I love to offer food that I cook, rather than eating by myself.