3 Years Since Shillington: Janvee Thakur.

Janvee Thakur came to Shillington with an architecture background and a habit of overcomplicating even the simplest ideas.

Three months later, the biggest lesson wasn't how to add more, it was knowing when to stop. In this interview Janvee shares how the course turned a complex brief into something seamless, why communicating a design matters as much as creating it and the kind of purpose-driven, T-shaped designer they hope to become.

Hi Janvee! Let's talk about your very first day at Shillington to kick things off.

What were you most nervous about and how did that play out?

I was most nervous about reaching a level where I could create an industry-ready portfolio within the three months of the full-time course. But from the very first day, I could see how thoughtfully the projects and tutorials were structured. As the course progressed, I became more confident in both my skills and my design abilities.

What skill or mindset did you develop at Shillington that you use every single day now?

The process and framework we were taught throughout the course is something I continue to use in my design work every day. I also developed a much stronger understanding of how to curate mood boards around a specific project and the requirements of a brief. They became a useful way of establishing a visual direction that clients could understand.

Janvee's Start-Up Brand Identity project at Shillington, Perched Words.

What was the hardest challenge you faced during the course and how did you push through it?

Learning how to simplify a complex brief into a design that feels seamless was one of my biggest challenges, especially in the beginning. I had a tendency to overcomplicate even the simplest ideas. I gradually worked through this by experimenting consistently while keeping the fundamentals of design in mind. Studying the work of established designers and breaking down why and how it worked also helped me become more intentional about my own design decisions.

What's one piece of feedback you received from a teacher or classmate that changed your work for the better?

I don't remember the exact words, but one of my tutors said something along the lines of, "You need to learn when to stop revising your design." I felt there was always room for improvement in my designs, but I learnt that there comes a point where continuing to make small changes can actually take away from what's already working. Knowing when to step back and trust your decisions is something I got to learn and practise because of that feedback.

How did the fast-paced, real-world briefs shape your approach to problem-solving or creativity?

The pace taught me to think quickly and become comfortable with creating and visualising ideas without overthinking them initially. I learnt to explore multiple concepts, work through different possibilities and make decisions more efficiently.

What's something you learned in the industry that you wish you knew while studying?

In the industry, your clients are often people who aren't designers or don't have a background in design, so you need to be able to clearly communicate why you've made certain choices and make those decisions understandable to someone who may not see the work in the same way you do.

I had some experience with presenting and defending my work through jury practices while studying architecture, and Shillington also encouraged us to discuss and articulate our design choices. But communicating and negotiating with someone from a completely non-design background is a different skill, and one that I've come to appreciate much more through working professionally.

Janvee's Packaging project at Shillington, Oddity.

Where do you go when you feel creatively stuck? Tools, people, routines, or spaces?

I try to look for inspiration through different mediums. Films, interiors, magazines, reading design essays or novels, and even just travelling and exploring new places have all helped me overcome creative blocks. I'd often jot down random words or ideas that pop into my head in my notes app, and revisit them when I'm feeling stuck. Most of the time it's gibberish, but at times it helps to jog my thinking a bit.

How has design influenced the way you see everyday life? Brands, objects, cities, culture?

I find myself paying much closer attention to small details. I've always observed things around me, but studying design has made me much more conscious of why certain things catch my attention and how they've been constructed.

I started noticing the typography of random boards and signage, unique packaging and visual details in everyday spaces. I'm also interested in the history of artworks and the mediums used to create those century-old designs, and I now find myself looking at those references with a much more curious eye.

Recent branding for a cafe branding for Hope Kiosk, an initiative by non-profit Hope Co-op.

If you could collaborate with anyone, a brand, studio, artist, or cause, who would it be and why?

There are quite a few collaborations I'd love to explore. I'd like to try my hand at graphic design or set design for films. A dream opportunity would be to work on a Luca Guadagnino film. His direction and films are always such a visual treat. For me, the curiosity around design grew from flicking through Architectural Digest magazines to watching films and observing interiors, colour grading and frame positioning. Though I don't want to be a filmmaker, I love drawing inspiration from movies.

I'd also love to use design to contribute to causes, particularly humanitarian work, raising awareness of women's reproductive rights and working with LGBTQIA+ non-profit organisations. I'd like to give back to the community through my skills, no matter how small. I'm also interested in working with under-represented local artisans in India. There's so much incredible craft and cultural knowledge here, but there are often significant inequalities in the labour and compensation involved. I'd love to explore how I could help in this space, not only as a designer.

And finally, looking ahead. What kind of designer do you hope to become?

I hope to become a well-rounded designer, not just in terms of my technical skills but also in how I think, communicate, collaborate and approach problems. "T-shaped designer" is a term I've heard quite often. I'd like to be a designer who can handle not only the design part of the problem but also the business side of things. More than anything, though, I want to become a designer who can give back to the community. I want my work to have a purpose beyond simply creating something visually interesting.