We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Harsha Ambady ("HA").
An Architect turned Jewelry designer, Harsha works passionately to create beautiful wearable art that conveys a story through design. Harsha shifted her career from Architecture to Jewelry when she realized her passion for Jewelry. Since then, she has been working in the fashion jewelry industry in India. Though India has very few fashion jewelry brands, she has been fortunate to have worked with the best. She feels that as a designer she is evolving each day, with the help of new projects, meeting new people, and seeing and discovering new materials. She believes that each day is a new beginning and there is something new to learn and look forward to. She aims to collaborate with global brands and leave a mark in the fashion industry. Eventually, she looks forward to launching her own brand. She believes that a person's work is what should speak for them.
Harsha Ambady Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Harsha Ambady.
Designer Interview of Harsha Ambady:
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?
HA : I knew I was good with handmaking miniature products and dreamt of studying jewelry design at NIFT or NID that had introduced a new product-accessory design programme. I took the entrance tests but unfortunately didn’t get through and my dream of becoming a jewelry designer was shattered. Architecture was Plan B. I studied at the University School of Design, Mysore University. The course helped me broaden her perspective as a designer. I fell in love with geometry and realized I had a strong affinity towards it, while studying the course. I worked for a year with an architecture firm in Ahmedabad, but my desire to lean into jewelry design grew stronger by the day. I, then, did a one-year diploma at the Indian Institute of Jewellery, in Mumbai. The course took us through design, 3D creation and the manufacturing process. The thesis was designed and manufactured by the students themselves. And I had finally become what I had dreamt of becoming.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HA : Founded in the cultural tapestry of Kerala in 2023 by Architect turned Jewelry Designer Harsha Ambady, the brand portrays her passion for Geometry, Architecture, and Sculpture, conveyed through modern, sophisticated and contemporary design. The designs are inspired by the deep understanding of architectural principles like geometry, symmetry, form and light which are translated into wearable art. Having collaborated with international brands, Harsha's creations resonate with the global audience. The brand's ethos lies in seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, crafting timeless jewelry that tells a story of cultural richness and contemporary simplicity- much like its audience.
DI: What is "design" for you?
HA : Design for me is as cliche as it sounds, love. It's something that I enjoy doing.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HA : I love geometry and enjoy working on that direction the most.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HA : One of my favorite designs is the bridge hoop I designed for my brand. It is a simple design where the metal bars hold the cylinder shaped stone giving a miniature effect of a bridge.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
HA : The very first design I created for a company is the Spatial Structural ring for which I received the Silver A' Design Award Winner for Jewelry Design Category in 2017
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HA : Love brass as there is not restriction in terms of costing. I feel i can play around a lot with this metal.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
HA : I feel most creative in solitude with some great music.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HA : The originality of the design, the proportion and the aesthetic
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HA : It's a calming process overall. I also notice that great ideas just suddenly burst into my head when I'm clam while designing.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HA : It makes my heart full to see my designs manifest into actual products and even fuller to see them being worn and enjoyed by people.
DI: What makes a design successful?
HA : A design is successful when it meets functionality. These days it is also important to note that however great the design is, only if it finds the right audience does it get the deserved appreciation.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
HA : I don't think I'm an expert to judge a design. I do have personal likes and dislikes but that doesn't mean that the design I do not prefer is bad or vice versa. In a general perspective, the design should serve the purpose.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HA : The last exhibition was at a store in Singapore. I haven't decided or planned the next exhibition.
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?
HA : My design aesthetic is modern, minimal, and clean. I don’t intend to create pieces that mimic architecture but rather infuse my work with details from art, architecture, and culture — and translate it into modern forms.
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?
HA : I was born and raised in Thrissur (Kerala), a land known for it's historic temple architecture and rich cultural heritage. The cultural heritage might affect one's designs as there could be a lot of influence sub consciously. As my style is more modern and clean I have always felt that it would have been great if I had the opportunity to move and work outside of India.
DI: How do you work with companies?
HA : I work on project basis with companies.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
HA : It is all about finding the right person that understands the brand. I feel it is a trial and error process to find that right person.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HA : Originality
DI: How can people contact you?
HA : I can be contacted at harsha.ambady88@gmail.com