We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Prashant Chauhan ("PC").
Dynamic and meticulous, Prashant Chauhan is a multifaceted designer. An architect by qualification, Prashant scales beyond the boundaries of architecture to explore other design disciplines. His belief ‘Design is Boundless’ forms the very core of his practice ZERO9, which effortlessly deals with projects in architecture, advertising, interior and exhibition design. His zest for innovation has won him recognition in the form of national and international design awards, features in reputed publications and a host of repeat clients. From picturesque bungalows to soulful interiors and from hi-tech exhibition spaces to stunning graphic designs, Prashant has a flair for it all. A strong believer in karma, Prashant enjoys sharing his thoughts with aspiring architects at Rizvi College of Architecture, where he began his quest for lifelong learning. An explorer by nature, Prashant also has a passion for travel, photography and technology. His curiosity towards scriptures and spirituality are largely responsible for his minimal and clutter-free approach to design. Prashant’s restless energy makes him push boundaries, accept challenges, and live up to his mantra ‘Celebrate Life’.
Prashant Chauhan Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Prashant Chauhan.
Prashant Chauhan Design - Rustic Zen Private Home
Prashant Chauhan Design - Ungrey Private Apartment in Mumbai
Prashant Chauhan Design - Osia Villa Single Owner Luxury Residence
Prashant Chauhan Design - Molten High Multi Storey Residential Building
Designer Interview of Prashant Chauhan:
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?
PC : Design has inspired me since the days of watching over my uncle do drawings on Blue Prints. The idea of having a thought behind what can actually be used as a space or product excited me quiet early in life. Thats how i decided to become a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PC : ZERO9, is a multi-faceted design studio with prime expertise in space and graphics. Under the studio we offer design and build services for architecture, interiors, exhibitions and advertising. The team comprises of designers from various design streams creating a very fertile design environment for the design aspirants. We constantly listen to the client to gather about them and their lifestyle which eventually reflects into the design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PC : Design is an exploration. The deeper you explore, you are bound to achieve the higher self.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PC : I absolutely love doing expo stands for it combines the expertise of temporary architecture, interior design, branding, advertising and a tight scheduled project management which brings out the best in us by combining the dynamics at our design studio.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PC : Dimexon Expo Stand is my favourite design where we have explored simplistic architectural forms. The Double Height space with a Spider Glazed wall communicated the inner space to the visitor almost at the beginning making it visually transparent and more accessible. The sleek staircase with glass railing brings the brands ideology to details. Moreover the entire stand was made on nut & bolt system which ensured the use of the expo stand for more than three years.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PC : The first thing we did for a company was a modular exhibition stall which could be broken down into smaller stalls and placed an any venue as a self contained kiosk. This modular design led us into exploring more with exhibition stalls.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PC : We explore almost every material and technology around it. I prefer exploring with glass as it allows maximum rendering possibilities. With the inclusion of PVB films glass can actually used as a building material without any hesitation for its strength.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
PC : I feel most creative when i am close to the nature. Holidays, Weekend breaks and Daily gazing at sky energises me with the immense creativity available in the nature. Observing the intricacy with with each element of nature via my camera also leads to this creative explosion.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PC : We design for people. And i think we usually focus on the user, his lifestyle and his taste. If the user connects with our designed product, that is the biggest achievement. Hence apart from the basics of form, pattern and functions our prime focus is always the client.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PC : When designing, the sense of joy is always cherished. The process of design is extreme fun and makes the entire journey desirable.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PC : delight. Its always such a delight to see your sketches transform into drawings and drawings into spaces.
DI: What makes a design successful?
PC : The client using the design the way it has been designed is the success of every design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PC : Visual Aspect is a prime necessity in addition to a functional design. I would always prioritise visual aspect as i feel a design can be functional for sure but the end user always needs the visual charm to communicate to him its story.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PC : The designer influences the next generation to think more logically, designer today are hence responsible to not only design for their clients but also create an awareness of minimal environmental impact.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PC : design awareness is ample these days. Every client know what they are looking for. Hence the future of design lies in making the future more sensitive and environment friendly. The future of design is not just smart but also sensible.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PC : The last exhibition i held was of my photography explorations of travels around india. The next i would love to do is very soon with my explorations around South of France and Italy.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PC : Nature. The rhythm in which a flock of birds make their own pattern, The intricate patterns on every single butterfly, The leaves, the stones, the river. the sources are immense when we simply look around us.
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?
PC : My personal design style would be clutter free, minimal. I think my inclination towards scriptures and spiritual content has influenced me to live in the moment and not prioritise the future or live in the past glory. what is now is here and thats the ultimate truth. Simplicity in design is more about this.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
PC : I live in the hustle bustle of Mumbai, the dream city. The city is a magnet which attracts almost everyone from every corner of the globe for its busy city life. I think my life in Mumbai has led me to value space and volume as its in scarcity.
DI: How do you work with companies?
PC : We have had a very memorable journeys with most companies we have worked with. We often extend to their needs in design arenas apart from the one we are already appointed for like advertising, residence interiors, exhibitions and sometimes even their family logos. We usually work with clients on a long term association which makes us an extension of their company as their design partners.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PC : Companies simply need to hire a designer whom they can trust. Later its the designers job to understand the company and its brand philosophy and reflect the same in his design.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
PC : Our design process is quiet simple. We listen and understand client's requirement with which we first resolve the basic layouts. Once the basic layouts are in place, we bring in a layer of clients lifestyle with our value addition suggestions. These VA proposals are usually optional and we try and understand clients reaction to them which gives us a good feedback on how we should proceed.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PC : Window Seat, UnPolished Local Stone in Floor, Stone Wash Basin made in-situ, Niches that display my fond items and off course candles that light up my life.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
PC : A day in my life starts with my sunshine (my son) smiling at me wishing me good morning. Later we have a healthy and lengthy breakfast together as family which is the perfect boost for the day thereon. At work i usually prioritise the days tasks and then take it from there.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PC : The road to success is never easy. There will be lots of challenges on daily basis. The ultimate winner is the one who rises after each defeat. So never give up is the only mantra. Remember 'the obstacle is the path'
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PC : Well being designer can be really addictive. You might end up watching a movie and only notice those perfect blue curtains.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PC : Always listen to the client.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PC : Persistence is the prime most important skill for a designer.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PC : Pencil 2B and any hard surface to sketch on.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PC : I usually believe in making a list and prioritising the tasks. Eventually everything falls in place once you start prioritising things a moment by moment.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PC : At times about 20 minutes and at times can even take about 20 years to shape up.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PC : Can i get a discount?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PC : The entire process of fabrication for Dimexon Expo Stand was the most memorable and important job experience as it involved a lot of skill by multiple agencies.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
PC : We have a couple of Multinational clients with whom we have been associated for more than a couple of years. These clients include Yudo, Dimexon, Marzoli, SMS, Au Finja, Abrol Group, Steelmades, Eden Group and many Private Clients.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PC : I personally enjoy every kind of design work, since we believe design is boundless. Although Exhibitions always have a soft spot since it involves multiple design skills to get together to produce the end result.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PC : We believe in constantly performing. So we stay at it and keep performing.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PC : We usually work as team since thats our strength. Once we conclude the design, everyone in the team know what their individual roles are.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
PC : We are currently working on a couple of apartment buildings in Mumbai which are mini experiments as far as materials are concerned.
DI: How can people contact you?
PC : We can be contacted easily by our website which is very user-friendly as designed by ourselves. The Connect page on our website ( www.zero9.in ) even allows you to leave us a message which we usually respond within a couple of hours of receipt. If a prompt response is what you look for do call us on +91 22 42661709 we would be waiting to answer you.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PC : No. Mostly everything is covered. Thank You.