SPOTLIGHT on Abhijit Bansod and cultural design

Summary

In this SPOTLIGHT episode, Abhay shares a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, an award-winning designer, discusses his journey as a cultural designer, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, the influence of Indian culture on design, and the continuous evolution of a designer's mindset. He explores the complexities of defining Indian design, the balance between nostalgia and innovation, and the impact of design on identity and confidence in cultural narratives.

Learn more about Abhijit's work here:
Studio ABD
Tigoona
MUBHI

Introduction:
We talk a lot these days about the soft power of India and the effect it has on a global stage. It seems more and more like that cultural power has had a profound impact on hearts, minds, memories, and markets throughout the world. I often have wondered about how this all has been designed, about the vision it takes to create the ideas, and about the execution required to bring tradition to life in a way that both feels new and has lasting impact.  Thankfully, to help guide us, I shared a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, a visionary  designer who has been orchestrating a beautiful harmony between so many elements of everyday Indian life with thoughtful, modern design. Growing up in Nagpur in India, he drew inspiration from daily sights and stories, eventually shaping his path through the National Institute of Design and a decade at Titan Industries, where he helped bring Indian storytelling into watchmaking. After launching Studio ABD in Bangalore, Abhijit committed to creating products that aren’t just functional but tell rich, poetic stories—whether it’s a lamp inspired by street culture or accessories that celebrate Indian craft or offering mobility solutions to local street entrepreneurs. His studio’s philosophy is to blend humor, emotion, and local culture with innovation, making even the simplest objects reminders of Indian tradition and joy. With many honors and accolades, Abhijit is widely respected for work that connects deeply with users and he also serves as a decorated ambassador of contemporary Indian design. He believes that products aren’t just consumable but that they’re animated anecdotes to help connect everyone to a holistic design experience.  As we caught up to chat about everything from trends and nostalgia to thinking like a designer and optimism, I was curious to know how he, as a designer, approaches something as simple as how he first introduces himself to people?

Shout out to Deepa Prahalad Abhyankar for the spark!