Wireframing
Typography
Visual Identity
Color Theory
Illustration
An Homage To Indian Design - Chitra Kala,
A Visual Archive
I moved to New York City in 2018 to further my education, and over these five years, I’ve felt a deepening connection to my culture, a sentiment familiar to anyone living away from home. As a design student, I often reflected on the meaning of graphic design within my cultural context, especially when studying Art & Design History.
While these movements are foundational, most resources come from Western perspectives. That’s when it struck me: growing up in India, I was constantly surrounded by visual graphics - from food packaging and street signs to shopfronts, food carts, and trucks. At the time, they seemed ordinary, but I now realize how art and design quietly conveyed patriotism during the Swadeshi movement and shaped my visual sensibilities from early childhood.
As a designer, this project is my effort to create a dedicated space for India’s graphic design, a practice long embedded in our cultural heritage, though never formally labeled as such.
Titled Chitra Kala, meaning “the art of visuals,” serves as a digital archive of advertisements from the 1950s to the 1990s. The goal is to explore graphic design through these vintage works, providing historical context and insights that go beyond Western perspectives.
This hand-drawn icon set takes cues from the vibrant details of street culture. Each element is thoughtfully illustrated to capture its character while staying true to the website’s visual identity.
