We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Anushka Contractor ("AC").
Anushka Contractor is no stranger to the world of interior designing. She grew up watching her parents weave magic into their projects, and this inspired her to follow in their footsteps yet carve her own niche. At the age of 19, after graduating from the prestigious Rachana Sansad School of Design, she spent an enriching 3 and half years with sP+a in Mumbai and then moved on to her father’s firm - MAN Associates. From here, she started taking up assignments on freelance basis, including working with a fashion designer from Jakarta as a Textile Graphic Designer. This role helped her explore new facets in design that bring fresh perspectives to her interior designing projects. Anushka has been honoured with many prestigious awards and has also been listed in the 40 under 40 Best & Trendsetter Interior Designer India, 2022 and Top 50 next gen designers in India by Architects & Interiors India, 2017. Her work has been featured extensively in national & international publications, blogs & magazines.
Anushka Contractor Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Anushka Contractor.
Anushka Contractor Design - House of Solace Studio Apartment
Designer Interview of Anushka Contractor:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
AC : Yes. My parents are interior designers. So art & design runs in the family.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AC : I am a freelancer since 2012.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AC : Design for me is a mix of Vision, Thought & Emotion.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AC : Lounges, Restaurants, Showrooms, Residences.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AC : Camouflaging.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AC : A Pub cum Restaurant in Mumbai, India.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AC : Paper veneer & concrete. Anything thats seamless.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AC : When I'm outdoors and not among 4 walls.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AC : Simplicity & connectivity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AC : I am a very emotional person. Its a mix of all.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AC : I feel its like a dream every time. Takes time for me to believe it.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AC : The function & the look.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AC : A design is never good or bad. Its an individual taste.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AC : To create something convenient, functional, sustainable and beautiful.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AC : I get inspiration from the outdoors, travelling, books...
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
AC : My style is more contemporary with a touch of vintage classic & I like the combination of soft & seamless.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AC : My custom made hanging lamp, Wooden thick framed vintage look mirror, Raw plywood custom made bar, Custom made handled main door, Dining table.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AC : Yes. Its work-eat-work-eat-work-eat-sleep.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AC : Positives are of growing & learning. Negatives are being almost leashed to technology & getting lazy.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AC : Sketch pad, pencil, laptop, 3D & ACAD.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AC : I work day & night at a stretch if I have to meet with time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AC : A week or a month. Depends.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AC : 'What projects are going on at present?'
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AC : I develop my own designs.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AC : Just beginning to work on a villa...
DI: How can people contact you?
AC : On my website or email.