Nameplate

Got an another opportunity to design a name plate for Pune based family. It was a gift for customer's sister. After some sharing of options and iterations we all happily reached on this (bottom most) conclusion. Showing some other options as well. I am glad that they chose devanagari one.

Nameplate

I got this opportunity to design a nameplate for a family lives in Gurgaon. Their house is very tastefully done and paid lots of attention to the details on interiors, furniture and each and every corner of the home which is neatly 'designed'. Hence, the challenge was to maintain the consistency outside too. After all I believe 'the nameplate talks about your personality; its another identity'. We opted for the 'Devnagri' lettered nameplate as non of the residence on their floor has the names/surnames written in Hindi. So it would be really 'cool' to be up there. I also composed English names along with main Hindi Calligraphy to make it visitors/guests life simpler. (Who can't read, understand Hindi–such a shame!).

++ Tall Dark Handsome ++

Presenting another version of letterlamp which I have made long time ago. This time its in metal; more sturdy but slightly heavy than the previous one. It showed its presence in ArtHouse exhibition too.
This LetterLamp is designed by using geometric abstraction of Devnagri (Script) consonants. These structured letters and basic skeleton of alphabets helped to create the grid like composition. Beauty of the lamp lies in counters of letterforms which create luminous small windows. This three sided lamp (prism shaped) is made up of 2mm thick aluminium sheet and powder coated in black with slight texture.

Switched Off Mode:

Switched On Mode:

It has cover/lid/cap on top which has light source attachment and its removable.

Well, this tall–dark–handsome–intellectual is also available for sale! To make your corner seriously, thoughtfully beautiful get in touch with me at anikheel@gmail.com.

A little work is left for inside. Planning to change the light source. I am going to replace the T5 (which is very long) to normal CFL. Right now its diffused with thin film sheet but can be replaced with white/milky acrylic or can be left open!

Lamp for GreenHouse

During my last days in office, we were busy shaping up Greenhouse! GH is a cultural activity space, its an alternative education zone and its gathering space for interesting people, makers and creators artists, film makers, educators, photographers etc. Its located at awesome arty and design hang out place called Hauz Khas Village in Delhi. Recently we had a small official opening.
Studio people bought few lamps for this lovely space. These ready made spherical lamps with metal wires bound together had plastic bindings. Being designers; we all were itching to do something random/creative/interesting to it. I decided to do embellishment in calligraphy.
I used white ribbon (not the satin one but the one which local women used to tie their hair with) Its an inch high and 12/13 meter long translucent, nylonish ribbon wrapped around the sphere. The mix of Hindi, English calligraphy is scripted on that white ribbon.

It was bit tedious job to wrap the ribbon as its flimsy, nylon in nature.

 

Thanks Kassia for the last photo.

LETTERFORMative : : Show {One}

Finally we took down the show! LETTERFORMative was an awesome experience. It was nice to know common man people are getting aware and amazed by this art, Calligraphy. Well, my intention was always to showcase Devnagri in modern form and should reach international platform. I enjoy experimenting and playing with various tools, techniques and materials. I personally like to make calligraphy more 'image centric' and create a visual abstraction of letterforms; where I am OK, if legibility takes a back seat. All letterforms have an excellent structure, body; its just a matter of peeling of each layer and exploring its hidden beauty.
Making an artworks were a game of ups and downs. It was frustrating to achieve a desired stroke after wasting days & days and papers or sometimes it was a joyful moment when accident with ink, paper and hand resulting in never-seen-piece.

Here are some pictures of behind the scene and actual show:

 Slowly going up

Finally all are up

 In the ambience

 I also made one lamp, displayed below (right side, Prism shaped). I am in the process of making such products.

Other artists were from JJ School of Art, Mumbai (Sarang, Noopur, Pradnya and Yashodeep) have a unique style. More abstract, slightly quirky and minimalistic. They have taken these alphabets in different level. This bunch is purely dedicated to type design and typography. I found overall more systematic approach than 'free' but that's their perception of looking Letterart and no doubt it was looking kickass!

Other artist cum faculty was Mr Kharsani from Ahmedabad, very experienced amongst rest of the gang. All the artworks show his trained and well-prepared 'hand' and knowledge of DNA of each alphabets. I amazed the way he gives energy and freedom to his letters.

I would like to thank Mocha ArtHouse team, my studio Codesign for their support. 
Here is curator Sandhya and me, trying to click photo of artworks, but in vain, because of stark glare and reflection; literally shooting stars, glares.

This show encourages and motivates me to do another show and look at this art more serious.
Yes I am already participating another show...see the next post for details and excitement.
Some photos by Vinay Jois.

The Festivals of India : : Calendar

Remember 'The festivals of India' post? This is the detailed post of the same. Its a calender I have designed for a client 'Tricolite' who manufactures and supplies big electric machines for big scale companies. The theme which they decided this year was 'festivals of India'–different festivals celebrated in different parts of India in different months.
We decided to use calligraphy. Not only for lettering but explored the forms and graphics with calligraphy techniques. Basically all the graphics were made with strokes. It was a challenging experience in terms of creating 'imagery' with such constrains. With lots of experiments with nib thicknesses and dirtying hands and papers, finally we were ready with sets of graphics related to 12 festivals. Later it digitally scanned, composed and colour corrected.

Here is the cover:

We were actually running behind the time. The calenders should have reached the customers by mid of January. Because of some production hiccups we managed to deliver it by end of February. Hence the calender starts with April 2010 and ends with March 2011. Here are some glimpses of months/festivals.

This project was an experience! I was going through a severe pain, had a major dental surgery which became very complicated and was absolutely bed ridden for 5 days, couldn't open my mouth and move anywhere. This calligraphy came as savior. I have to be forcefully at home. D told me about this calender and was desperately in mood to do what I really like.
Actually this calligraphy worked as the best remedy for me to recover fast :)
This is how it looks as a spread:

Close up of forms and inks and texture:

Client as well as their customers were really happy to receive this 'piece'. Thanks Meera, Ayush and Dahiya and Mohor. Photocredits: Maithili Doshi.

Pause

Its time to take a pause for a bit!! Leehkin is off to super alluring Amsterdam and lovely Barcelona for few days...yes going solely for a vacation purpose! Its studio's annual vacation

We will be going to visit one design studio in Amsterdam, so planning to give them some gifts or souvenirs from India. These handmade cloth covered diaries with strings attached represent true essence of Indian hospitality. Craftsmanship, colours and Devnagri initials of that studio members make an excellent gift idea and very personal!

There are total 24 pieces all together...

Mix of both...bright, vibrant and rusty, dull. (Cathy, Pier, Jorn, Jacques, etc.)

Detailed view...string is bit intriguing but definitely adds 'Indianness' to it.

That's the packaging, covered with Indian regional newspaper.

Chalo friends, see you soon with heaps of clicks, faces, enchanting colours, incredible objects and of course alphabets and numbers.

Lettermobiles