Last updated on November 27th, 2021
Designhill is home to many brilliant graphic designers whose works get the applause and recognition from the audience and experts alike. To highlight their creativity and skills, we pick a designer every month. We ask our visitors and users to vote their choice of best designs of the month. For October, Brandflux was voted as “The Designer of the Month.”
Brandflux created a warm minimalistic logo design for a residential interior design business named ‘Simplify.’
The logo not only won the contest but also the hearts and minds of the viewers, and they voted it as the best logo of the month. The designer is fascinated by creative work of art, and has developed an interest in branding and marketing lately.
We decided to have a chat with Brandflux to get some insight into the designer’s creative process, inspirations, interests, and career:
Name: Brandflux Solutions Llp
Designhill Handle: Brandflux
Location: India
Speciality: Logo Design
Q. What initially inspired you to become a graphic designer?
When I was a kid, I aspired to become an automotive designer. However, that ambition did not materialize as such, despite earning a degree in mechanical engineering.
Over the years, I realized that I was always fascinated by good design, whether it was cars or interior design, or anything else for that matter.
This fascination led me to start reading about design as well. I was always inclined towards doing something creative in my life. This desire only grew stronger, the more I learned about design.
As a result, I started looking for possible professional avenues which revolved around creativity, especially logo design.
It did not matter to me whether the work would be part-time or full-time, to be honest. The long list of options was then narrowed down, based on my other interests. This list, intended to help me make a decision, seemed to confuse me on the contrary.
Meanwhile, I also developed an interest in branding and marketing. This newly found interest cleared up my confusion for good. I figured I had found my calling in graphic design, especially brand identity design.
Q. What thrilled you most about freelancing full time?
The variety of jobs and clients that one encounters in the freelance world is massive! This makes the work much more exciting and stimulates one’s creativity. Simultaneously, it diversifies one’s design portfolio considerably.
Moreover, one gets to learn about a lot of different industries too, which I personally really fancy. I have come to learn about industries ranging from aviation and shipping to dance and theatre.
One also becomes familiar with various kinds of challenges, which makes one well-equipped to tackle the same in the future.
There is also relatively greater creative freedom, when freelancing, which makes work more productive. Adding on to that, one has the flexibility of choosing the projects based on one’s preferences.
Q. How do you incorporate feedback into your designs?
That varies from project to project and from client to client. I consider feedback to be a vital aspect of the design process. Therefore, I always reach out to the client for their feedback on all the designs that I prepare for the particular project.
Not only does it help in refining the design to the client’s satisfaction, but it also gives me a new perspective to view my designs which helps in the subsequent projects and the thought process levels up in general.
I usually discuss the pros and cons of each point (from the feedback) with the client, based on my knowledge and experience. The aspects that prevail after the discussions are then incorporated into the revised design.
There are also times when this revised design does not have the effect that the client was envisaging, and we’re back to discussing the original feedback with a fresh set of ideas.
Sometimes, the feedback may deviate from the original design brief itself. There could be several reasons for that. In such cases, I prefer to have a detailed discussion about the new requirements and eliminate any ambiguity or contradictory elements.
This helps in deciding whether the feedback may still be incorporated into the design or a fresh design is to be prepared altogether.
Q. Describe your creative process. What are the significant steps?
The creative process begins with an understanding of the client’s requirements. The most common and effective method to achieve this is through a design brief.
A clear and detailed design brief immensely improves the efficiency of the creative process and the quality of the design. The design brief acts as a map, giving a starting point and direction to one’s thought process.
The next step is the research. Researching about the brand, beyond what is stated in the design brief, certainly helps to fill in any voids. This greatly enhances the flow of ideas.
At the same time, it also significantly increases the probability of the designs turning out to be unique to the brand.
The ideas are then applied to numerous concept sketches, which could also be an amalgamation of two or more ideas.
Shortlisting of these sketches is done in stages, and they are recreated in the digital form. Sometimes, while recreating these concepts, new ideas may also emerge resulting in a few variations of the concepts.
For me, even the smallest thing like the playlist in the background can sometimes has a substantial influence on the creative process!
Q. What was the inspiration behind the ‘Simplify Interior Design’s Logo’ that made you win the title of Designhill’s Designer of the Month?
The client wanted something simple and sophisticated. The industry was interior design. Scandinavian design is the first thing that came to my mind since I am quite fond of it for the same reasons.
Scandinavian design is minimalist and exudes sophistication. It seemed to be the perfect choice for a direction for the creative process. I had also decided to pivot the design on the initial letter ‘S’ from the brand name ‘Simplify,’ to give myself a starting point.
Thereon, I did my research about interior design and Scandinavian design to kick-start the flow of ideas in my head. A few sketched concepts later, a design was conceived to share with the client. The rest, as they say, is history. (Pardon the cliché!)
As much as I was content with my work, I honestly had no idea that this design would go on to become the design of the month and garner so much admiration! I am really thankful to everyone who has liked or loved or appreciated the design.
Q. What fascinates you apart from your work?
Considering my ambition of becoming an automotive designer, it seems needless to mention that I am very passionate about cars. To the extent, that I have built quite an impressive collection of scale model cars over time.
If and when time permits, there is definitely football, whether I am playing or watching. I had an ‘alternative ambition’ of becoming a professional footballer. I really enjoy listening to music too. Philately and numismatics are also active hobbies of mine.
Q. Do you have any superstitious beliefs or rules that you live by?
No superstitious beliefs as such. Although, I do believe that “what goes around, comes around.”
There are quite a lot of rules and guidelines that I adhere to in my life, professional and personal. For instance, I make sure that whenever I am performing any task, I am solely focused on the task without being distracted.
Another example would be that I make sure that I am open to criticism, regardless of it being positive or negative, as long as it is constructive and well meant.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you have heard and wanted to repeat to others?
Don’t give up!
We hear it so often that perhaps the meaning gets lost. However, if one truly understands it and acts accordingly, it would surely reap benefits beyond one’s imagination.
On a more logical note, if one gives up, there is obviously the loss and, to a great extent, a feeling of regret for not having tried enough (which makes the situation even worse and the morale plunges).
On the other hand, if one does not give up, there is an increased possibility of success, and at the same time, there is no feeling of regret.
I too have had my share of failures and rejections, but this piece of advice really made sure I got past them without getting bogged down. Not only does it keep my morale up, but it also ensures that I don’t miss out on opportunities in life.
So, I always advise not to give up and to keep trying, as long as it is practically feasible. Come to think of it; if certain people had easily given up, the world might not have been as advanced as it is today!
Q. Any favorite music?
I listen to and enjoy a lot of different genres from time to time. If I really have to narrow down to one favorite though, I would probably vote for alternative rock.
Q. Favourite food to eat when you run out of ideas?
I love coffee, whether I run out of ideas or I am full of them. Since that is a beverage, I guess it would not count. Peanuts and cashew nuts are what I munch on when I am brainstorming for new ideas.
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Now is the time to tell us?
I would like to thank Designhill for the opportunity they offer to designers through this crowdsource platform.
