Women in design: 4 voices that shape creativity
This Women's Day, we celebrate four trailblazing women in design + art who have been on Audiogyan. They have reshaped the way we see, think, and create.
đď¸Women's Day is around the corner, and this edition brings you conversations with Sujata Keshavan, Ruchita Madhok, Nilofer Suleman, and Ashwini Deshpande. These influential women have shaped the Indian design and art scene with their unique perspectives and groundbreaking work. Their journeys are filled with lessons and inspiration for every creative mind. Wishing you an inspiring Women's Day in advance! Each conversation left me with amazing insights and stories to cherish - so letâs dive into it.
1ď¸âŁ Sujata Keshavan â Redefining designâs role in business
When Sujata Keshavan started Ray and Keshavan in 1989, few understood the power of design in India. A corporate leader dismissed design in one of the meetings saying, âItâs just making things pretty.â Instead of debating, she asked him to imagine a world without design. No brand identities, or unreadable signs, and everything looks the same. The room fell silent. That moment shifted perspectives. Today, her work has shaped India's biggest brands. With Varana, she extends this approach to textiles, blending heritage with global fashion.
Want to hear more about her journey and insights? Check out đ Spotify | Substack | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
2ď¸âŁ Ruchita Madhok â The power of storytelling in design
Ruchita Madhok knows that many womenâs voices go unheard. In one project, she worked with female artisans who had practiced their craft for generations. Yet, no one had ever credited their names. She ensured their faces and words were included in the final exhibit. When an elderly artisan saw her name in print for the first time, she wept with pride. That moment cemented Ruchitaâs missionâto use design to amplify the unheard. Through Kahani Designworks, she ensures every design tells a meaningful story.
Are you curious to know more about her approach to storytelling? Tune in đ Spotify | Substack | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
3ď¸âŁ Nilofer Suleman â Art that captures the soul of India
As a child, Nilofer Suleman and her brother would sneak into a cinema hall to watch films. The vibrant posters, neon lights, and hand-painted billboards stayed with her. Years later, when she became an artist, she found herself recreating those visuals. One of her most loved paintings was inspired by a tea vendor she passed every day. What seemed like an ordinary man became the heart of her art. Her work reminds us that art is all around us, waiting to be seen and cherished.
Discover more of her artistic inspirations here đ Spotify | Substack | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
4ď¸âŁ Ashwini Deshpande â Design for social change
While redesigning a hospitalâs signage, Ashwini Deshpande followed an elderly patient struggling to navigate the space. He squinted at signs, turned the wrong way, and looked lost. That moment was a revelation. Many designs exclude the very people they are meant to help. She created a new system with clear typography, color-coded pathways, and intuitive symbols. Months later, hospital staff shared that patient complaints about getting lost had dropped significantly. For Ashwini, this was proof that design isnât just visualâit changes lives.
Learn how design creates real-world impact from Ashwini Deshpandeđ Spotify | Substack | YouTube | Apple Podcasts
This Womenâs Day, letâs celebrate and support the voices shaping the creative landscape. Whether in design, art, or leadership, women continue to push boundaries and redefine industries. Who are the women designers that inspire you? Share with us!
There have been over 80 episodes with some amazing women on Audiogyan out of 305. I have created a playlist for you on YouTube. Do tune in.