Some context about me, and some important milestones.
2000. I was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Shifted 7 schools in different cities and countries because my parents have transferrable jobs. We moved to Bharatpur which is a small city in Rajasthan. It's famous for its bird sanctuary, so naturally I grew up around animals. Then we moved to Delhi where I realised how mad a big city can be. This is our car I'm sitting on top of by the way.
2007. Skipped a grade in Princeton.
We went to Princeton for a year where I was in 3rd grade, they made me skip a grade because apparently Indian education makes you smarter than your age. Anyhoo, celebrated Halloween for the first time! Probably wanted pink hair ever since then. I was a murderous witch, as you can see.
2010. Represented Asia in Monaco.
So I won an art competition and represented Asia (we were a total of 6 kids) as a member of the jury of the International Circus Festival held in Monte Carlo, Monaco. That's the Princess of Monaco behind us (big deal ik). It really was kind of cool. My mom, my school Principal and I went. That's when my family thought maybe ye art-shart ka kuchh ho sakta hai.
2013. First Art Exhibition.
Whoever wrote this description....hopefully I haven't let them down.
Anyway, this was the first time I realised I'll have to part ways with my paintings and almost refused to let someone buy them. Held at some cute gallery in HKV.
2017. Graduated from School.
Took Science as my stream, went to Allen for a bit, despised it. Was an Editor in the school E-Magazine (XMag), was in the Photography Club and was also School Prefect (probably the least perfect one).
2017. Did Psych Hons from Delhi University.
Studied Psychology in Jesus and Mary College, and made the bestest of friends, all while having too much on my plate.
I was Vice President of the Psych Department, Vice President of the Photography Club, in the Poetry Soc, in Debate Soc, in Film Appreciation - you name it.
In third year I decided to quit all clubs and focused on doing Illustration, graphics, and volunteer work with Reform the Norm (a collective a friend started), the Red Door and the Bhor Foundation - all centered around mental health stigma breaking, awareness, social justice.
2019. Represented India at SUSI.
One of four women selected to Represent India at the Women's Leadership Program organised by Study of the US Institutes, USA. Made friends for a lifetime in those 40 days from all over the world. My project involved making sex-ed accessible to young people all over India. I actually had pink hair by then.
2020. Graduated from College.
Happened two years after I should have actually graduated thanks to COVID, but was brilliant going back to campus for a bit. I also interned at Psychiatric Clinics, and held many art stalls and art workshops amidst college.
2022. Officialy became a Psychologist.
Finished my Masters in Clinical Psychology through COVID. Learnt a lot, barely went to college - did everything online while I also studied for UPSC (which really wasn't for me). Met my batchmates for the first time in person at Graduation. Officially a Psychologist.
2024. Represented India at Young Lotus Adfest.
My partner and I won the AAAI Young Lotus Adfest 2024 and we went to Thailand to represent India. Kind of changed our life.
2022. Became a Graphic Designer at Cottons.
Got my first official job at Cottons Jaipur which is a clothing brand based out of Jaipur. I was their Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager (officially), but they gave me chances to do whatever I wanted to try - which involved styling, creative direction, production of sets and so much more. Learnt a lot.
2023. Cocoa & Jasmine.
Interned with them for a month. Learnt about Design Research, executed designs of book covers, designed logos from scratch, did lots of experimentation and even brand identity designing.
2023. Became a Copywriter at Ogilvy.
Came to Ogilvy as an Art Intern but got a job as a Copywriter instead, as my team believed my strongest skillset is ideation. Still here, and love every bit of it.