What does it take to stay relevant when tools change faster than job titles-and AI threatens to rewrite the rules overnight? In this wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversation, Dipaq sits down with Sumit Bedi, design leader, educator, and relentless ideator, to unpack what truly makes a designer future-ready. From his early days obsessing over school projects to leading experimentation and R&D at a global SaaS company, Sumit shares why curiosity-not tools-is the most AI-proof skill ...

What do two decades building a top design consultancy and a shift to leading design at one of India's largest private banks have in common? In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Dipaq sits down with Narendra Ghate, Head of Design at HDFC Bank. Drawing from his 25-year tenure at Tata Elxsi, where he traveled the world "selling software by doing projects", Ghate shares his evolution from mechanical engineer to a design leader who understands that a designer’s true value lies in problem...

In this candid conversation, Vikash Kumar (Director of Design at Pine Labs) takes us through his incredible career shift-from working on massive campaigns for brands like Vodafone to steering the entire art and brand aesthetic at Pine Labs. Vikash gives a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the advertising industry, discussing what it was like to work at an agency like Ogilvy Mumbai (which he calls one of the best cultures among agencies) , the controversial value of industry awards , and the re...

In this conversation, Dipaq sits down with Bikash, Head of Design at Ather, whose 11-year journey is a masterclass in building a design-first EV brand from a startup to a public company. From the early days of an idea to pioneering India's two-wheeler EV space, the guest details their unique approach to innovation: challenging the status quo, designing for an integrated experience (hardware and software in sync), and betting on customer experience over market research. We dive deep into how...

Robin Dhanwani is the founder of Parallel, a product-design studio that works with startups, enterprises, and public systems to design with empathy and clarity. He talks about building a studio from scratch, selling design in India, and why the most important part of design is learning when to stop. From building Parallel to redesigning DigiLocker, Robin Dhanwani’s story is about designing with intent in a world obsessed with speed. An engineer-turned-designer, he’s spent over a decade shapi...

In this 50th episode of Groundbreakin, we sit down with Susan, a designer, artist, and brand thinker who has quietly shaped some of Asia’s most influential brands. From being an “accidental designer” at Flipkart to redefining brand identity for Gojek, Cult.fit, and now leading brand design at Jio, Susan’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and creative evolution. We dive into: - How an engineer-turned-photographer found her voice in brand design - The behind-the-scenes of Gojek’s massive r...

This conversation with Shayak Sen, the Head of Design at Myntra, is a masterclass in navigating the complexities of design leadership and e-commerce at massive scale. Shayak, who transitioned from an architecture background to co-founding one of Bangalore's earliest UX agencies, offers a rare, insider's view on how design truly operates in a major Indian consumer tech company. The E-Commerce Playbook & Design Ethics Shayak shares that in the B2C space, 80% of design is a derivative of the...

In this refreshingly honest conversation, Dipaq sits down with Ekta Manchanda, co-founder of Everything Design, a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in B2B branding. Ekta shares the story of her 12-year journey from a graphic designer working at various agencies to co-founding her own firm, which now employs 36 people under one roof. She provides a masterclass on the importance of authenticity and trust in client relationships, the challenges of the industry, and the power of a coll...

What is the future of branding in a world where AI is accelerating every creative process, and the lines between physical and digital are blurring? In this mind-bending conversation, Dipaq sits down with Anshul, a Design Manager at BCG, to unpack the paradigm shifts happening in the creative industry. Anshul's journey from aerospace engineering to his current role at a top-tier consulting firm is a masterclass in adaptation and a testament to the power of a multidisciplinary mindset. We get ...

What's it like to be a creative professional in today's world of rapidly evolving technology and changing industry landscapes? In this deep-dive conversation, Dipaq sits down with Vibhor, a seasoned design leader and former creative professional at Grofers and now Razorpay, who shares his unfiltered thoughts on the creative industry. Vibhor unpacks his journey from a B2C brand like Grofers to the B2B world of fintech at Razorpay, and the surprising creative opportunities that came with it. H...

What does it take to build a career that's a masterclass in curiosity and adaptation? In this episode, we sit down with Nivedita Saikia, a Design Leader at Smallcase, whose career journey is anything but linear. From her beginnings in architecture and furniture design to her current role in the fast-paced world of fintech, Nivedita's story is a powerful guide for any creative navigating a changing industry. She shares the honest truth about pivoting between fields, the unique challenges of d...

Burnout. AI. Broken design education. The messy truth about running a studio. In this episode of Groundbreakin, Dipaq sits down with Apeksha Gupta — design leader, entrepreneur, and writer — who goes unfiltered on the realities every creative faces but few talk about. From starting her design career at 19 to leading projects for Coca-Cola, Target, and Landor, and from building her own women-led studio to becoming a voice for burnout and unpopular opinions, Apeksha’s story is a masterclass i...

What does it take to lead design through one of the biggest shifts in the creative industry? In this episode, Dipaq sits down with Sourajit Sengupta, Design Leader at Razorpay and former Head of Design at Lenskart, to explore the evolution of communication design from a “nice-to-haveˮ to a strategic growth driver. From building an award-winning in-house design team at Lenskart to leading a massive global rebrand, and now driving AI-first design transformation at Razorpay, Sourajitʼs s...

What’s it really like to run a design studio today in a world of niche branding, long sales cycles, remote teams, and impatient clients? In this refreshingly honest conversation, we speak with Harish Venkatesh, founder of Become and Frontrunner, a studio redefining what it means to build meaningful brands in India. Harish unpacks the decade-long journey from freelancing in college to leading a positioning-led strategy studio reflecting on why his first project changed his life, how rebranding...

What does it take to stay original in an industry obsessed with trends, algorithms, and speed? In this episode, we sit down with Bharath Adharsh, Creative Lead at StayVista an ex-engineer turned storyteller who found his voice through language, not layouts. From writing his first lines of copy to now leading a growing creative team, Bharath reflects on a journey shaped by instinct, unlearning, and navigating the blurry lines between strategy and storytelling. He shares what the industry oft...

What is the future of a creative career in a world of AI, rapidly changing tech, and new opportunities? We explore this and more in a deep and inspiring conversation with Madhu Amodia, a seasoned design leader and the Dean of École Intuit Lab, Bangalore. Madhu draws from her rich experience leading design for brands like Air India and CNBC, sharing why she pivoted from the corporate world to focus on social impact and education. She offers a vision for modern design education: one that values...

What does it take to build a career that truly aligns with your passions? In this conversation, Dipaq sits down with Nitin Ravi, Director at SaaS company Pazo, whose journey is a masterclass in exactly that. From his start in engineering to the early days at Byju's, and from launching startups to his current mission to revolutionize retail tech, Nitin’s story is packed with insights for anyone looking to build, grow, and lead. We get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest trends in b...

Discover the untold stories and behind-the-scenes insights of the iconic Nike brand as we sit down with Scott Reems, a retired Nike historian who spent nearly three decades preserving the company's rich history. Join us on this captivating journey as Scott shares his family's connection to the shoe business and how it led him to his role at Nike. In this episode, we dive deep into the impact of Scott's work in capturing the stories of those involved in Nike's history, from its earliest days...

Ever wondered how to unleash your untapped potential and create a powerful personal brand? We sat down with Lulu Raghavan, the incredible Managing Director at Landor & Fitch India, to get her invaluable insights on personal growth, creativity, and vulnerability. Lulu's journey is a testament to the transformative power of embracing vulnerability and forming authentic connections, and in this episode, she shares her story and gives practical tips and strategies to stay creative. Discover ...

What is it that makes a design truly captivating, and how can you lead a team of talented creatives to craft such masterpieces? We had the pleasure of sitting down with Tassia Swulinska, design visionary and design director at Dixon Baxi, to uncover the secrets behind her staggering success in the world of book cover design and creative leadership. Throughout our conversation, we explore Tassia's unique approach to managing a highly creative team, striking a delicate balance between individu...