#HGArtProject 008 : Yohan Wadia

Every week, we convert our Facebook page into a revolving art space wherein we feature the works of various artists across the country as our cover art. Last week, we profiled ex-Homegrown employee Mudit Ganguly and his antics. This week, we’re all about Yohan Wadia, one of the more quirky graphic designers we’ve brought on board for the same. We caught up with him to fill out our standard interview format. Scroll on for the full script. 

I. Tell us a little bit about your background.

I am currently the HOD, Graphic Design and VFX at FX School in Mumbai and am also a freelance graphic designer. My background starts since I started sitting on an office chair next to my dad’s, seeing him work. I was maybe 4 or 5 years old then. Being my dad’s business, advertising and graphics was something I picked up at a very young age. I was very curious by nature and passionately pursued whatever I really loved doing. And I couldn’t have cared less about what I hated doing, one of them being studying. I managed to drag myself up until Junior college, studying traditional fields and was overjoyed once I pulled it off because after that, I wished to pursue commercial art at The JJ School of Art and I’d finally get to do what I really loved doing. I prepared for the entrance examination, although my dad always told me that I was never prepared enough! Guess he was right, I didn’t make it through. Partially my fault and partially I’d blame other things like we humans usually do. Wanting to prove my mettle, I decided to dive deep into the field of advertising and visual effects at the age of 18. Today, I realise that starting in the field early gave me a good head start. Especially since I had a mentor right at home, it wasn’t difficult for me to plunge in.

II. What are some of your biggest inspirations over the span of your career?
My biggest inspirations have been my parents, who encouraged me to take up this profession while other parents would hesitate. Especially letting me skip my graduation to pursue my profession was something that other parents would throw their kid out of their house for! We have this Whatsapp group comprising of my parents, my wife and me in which we share limericks, puns and insane ideas. We have a ritual wherein we share an idea every morning. It’s like yoga. This practice has fueled my creativity excessively and now I just can’t stop. This was my dad’s idea BTW.

III. Could you tell us more about the thought process behind the artwork you made us? 

My thought process usually functions on word-plays and puns. I’ve never had a straight approach towards anything in life, especially my artworks. I approached the same style while making you guys the artwork as well. People hate English because there are too many interpretations of words that sound similar or are spelt similarly. I love English for that same reason! I wouldn’t have artworks if it wasn’t for this.

IV. Name a few artists who inspire you in both India and abroad?
Few artists that I really am inspired by are Glenn Jones who owns Glennz tees. What I really love about his artworks are the humour and the simplicity in the design. Managing to make people laugh with artworks is not easy at all and he manages to do so with every single artwork of his. Orlando Arocena, for his insane graphic design abilities. The guy is a wizard and what he does is vector occult. I am also fascinated with Johnny Cupcakes. Not only by their designs, but their entire approach towards design and selling their merchandise. It is brilliant. Besides them, I follow many other artists on Behance who share a similar style and approach towards design.
V. If you could work with the Indian government on an art project that you get to suggest and lead, what would it be?
People in our country are never going to stop spitting or urinating on and around the streets. Maybe I’d really love to slyly plant a sticker on the back of someone who just urinated in public saying ‘Main Mutya Hoon’ or something like that! But yeah, definitely awareness oriented designs, something that will make people laugh and that will be memorable enough for it to remain etched in their heads and nothing works better than humour in this case.
VI. What are your future plans ?
My head is always full of ideas waiting to be executed. Although I would love to collaborate with big art houses on certain projects, I’d personally love to start a sort of a creative lab, like a one stop solution for anything to do with creativity. It could branch out into several streams like design, merchandise, web, interior design, anything as long as the client is mad enough to hire us. Have to definitely think it through, but yeah, that’s what I eventually wish to do. Besides, I just started off an online store where people can buy my designs and merchandise from.
VII. Could you share 3 of your best designs and elaborate on each one of them?
I love all my designs. You’ve put me in a fix, however, here are 3 designs that have sort of defined me and what people have loved.
PORN OK PLEASE

Inspired by legendary Indian truck art. Needs no more explanation

RUMDEV

An idea that cropped up during a drinking session with a couple of friends. I thought this design would be controversial and might never see the light of the day, however, my perception about the Indian mentality changed after this design became a runaway success. This design happens to be immensely popular and is sold on tees on Wear Your Opinion.

WALK-ESHWAR

An artwork that was a part of ‘The Mumbai Series’ I had designed last year, the reason why people really love ‘Walk-eshwar’ is because it works on several levels, right from the design, the humour, and  the connect with the famous scotch brand, Shiva. It contained all the elements required for someone to relate to or love a design.

One track you’re currently listening to?
I’d have to say ‘Rude’ by Magic. I’ve had it in loop for quite some time now. My story was kind of similar to the song.
An artwork you wished you did?
One glance at Behance and there are several I wish I did. Too hard to place just one.
An art project you wish you were a part of?
Definitely The Renaissance. The entire era was an art project, except that I would’ve brought a bit more humour into their art.
Your favourite munchies?
BBQ stuff. Chicken kebabs. Drool.
Paint or wacom bamboo?
I always sketch first and then Wacom it! Impossible to choose just one.
Compiled By: Homegrown Staff