We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Priyanka Puri ("PP").

Following her rich professional experience in diverse fields of consulting and Real Estate, Priyanka Puri started her entrepreneurial journey in Interior Design in 2011. Under her leadership and creative guidance, Viaanca Interiors has undertaken and completed full service interior architecture, design consultation and interior project management for several residential and commercial projects across India

Priyanka Puri Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Priyanka Puri.

Designer Interview of Priyanka Puri:

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?

PP : I first studied engineering and that informs my design work. It was much later that I studied interior design. Hence for me science, art and craft are equally important aspects of the design process. This became my point of opportunity and differentiation as a designer.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

PP : Viaanca is an interior design studio based in India with a project portfolio of distinct identity. We believe design lies at the confluence of art, craft and science. Started in early 2011, since then, we have undertaken residential as well as commercial interior design projects of repute. Our multifaceted approach to design allows us to conceptualise a project, liaison with all stakeholders involved as well as manage and execute the project to its successful completion.

DI: What is "design" for you?

PP : Design transcends a single discipline. It is the process of creation that must cater to multifarious subjective and objective attributes such as functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, geography, culture, innovation, detailing, usability, intuition and beyond. Design is also a journey and may evolve. The best designs are simple which means you could imagine it no other way.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

PP : I love to research and I think it is my strength also. Hence, I do focus a lot on research for interior design. It is critical for designers to understand and internalise the purpose of each design project, to support their design choices and to put some context behind their design. These are achievable through research.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

PP : The design process is and always has been an emotionally diverse experience for me.There are periods of joy, excitement, gloom, fear and even surprise. The only consistent emotion throughout the design process is my love for design.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

PP : Realisation of design and the sight of a functionally and aesthetically rich built environment every time a project is delivered is a proud moment. It is the most tangible aspect of this profession and deeply satisfying.

DI: What makes a design successful?

PP : Design is purposeful. It is successful if it meets its purpose. In the case of interior design, the most prominent role of the design is to evoke the desired emotion in its inhabitants.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

PP : Good design meets its stated purpose. Design may be judged holistically across diverse aspects of functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, innovation, culture and more. However the single most important aspect that I use intuitively to tell a good design from a a bad one is the emotional response it brings out. A good design is always simple in that you can imagine it no other way and that it belongs. We may try to distinguish good design from bad through innumerable criteria and design principles but they don’t always hold true

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

PP : As designers, we are committed to society and environment. In the case of interior design, we are foremost responsible for designing spaces that promote healthy well being and sustainability. Sustainable efforts such as up cycling, buying local and actively seeking energy efficient materials are being encouraged widely.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

PP : The role of technology in design is carving out an evolutionary path for it. In the field of interior design in particular, virtual reality and augmented reality tools are set to take centrestage. Automation and smart interiors will also have a prominent position in the future of interior design.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

PP : I look to nature and travel for inspiration. Certain points of reference may also be given by the client for a particular project for instance a country or a culture and as designers we develop on those points of reference. I love to research and this is perhaps the most engaging part of the design process for me. I also feel my 6 year old daughter inspires my design.

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?

PP : I live in India which is a culturally rich country and very diverse cultures coexist within India. This cultural heritage is a part of who I am and so it does influence my work. In fact, being in the midst of such pluralism and fusion of culture, one can never run out of sources of inspiration.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

PP : Companies have core values and each new product/ project has a sense of purpose and if that aligns with a designer, then they are a good match. If the designer is receptive to the design brief then the design project is bound to be successful. This is assuming the designers's creativity and technical know-how are well represented by his/her body of work and at par with the company's requirement .

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

PP : My approach to designing is a lot like a problem solving process. It begins with chaos - the problem. The design brief from the client is a good starting point for the design. There are multiple approaches that are then followed based on research, experience and intuition. In the case of interior design, there is a lot of internal visualisation. There is a fair bit of trial and error until we arrive at a design solution that feels like it belongs and there is clarity.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

PP : I start my work day by reading design blogs and websites that I follow for creative inspiration. Then I begin by checking my emails and make my to-do list for the day. I then engage individually with my team in order to guide them, give them deadlines if required and monitor their progress. Afternoons could be more of the same, meeting up with clients or site visit.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

PP : I have always enjoyed designing each one of my interior projects. Of course, greater creative freedom heightens the enjoyment. However, an interior design project is almost never smooth sailing. There are bound to be obstacles in the design process and many in the execution of the design. Yet I enjoy each of our small achievements one day at a time.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

PP : In 2011, we started our journey in interior design with offices. For the past couple of years, we have amassed a portfolio of high end residences. Last year we tied with an architecture studio and with that association we are moving into hospitality interiors which is an exciting future for us.

DI: How can people contact you?

PP : I can be contacted on email (priyanka.seth@gmail.com).