Aditi Rao

Aditi Rao
Entrepreneurship for Impact

Growing up, my mother taught me to repurpose items, sparking my creativity and leading me to craft conversation-starting pieces. I believe our living spaces, like fashion and art, should reflect our individuality. My goal is to offer products that serve a purpose while telling a story. I focus on creating quirky, up-cycled furniture, decor and collectibles with sustainability at the core. Understanding materials, markets and a consistent supply of discarded items became crucial. I aim to design functional yet intriguing objects, considering market preferences. This journey reshaped my approach, emphasizing ideation, discussion and understanding my design preferences. I enjoy crafting playful pieces that highlight materials like cardboard, metal and wood, infused with empathy, originality and a connection to nature. My audience seeks well-crafted, eco-friendly products that bring joy. My process involves problem identification, sketching and prototyping to ensure functionality and appeal. In our collective portfolio, my work transforms mundane objects into conversation-worthy pieces, blending functionality with meaning.

How can I make mundane lifestyle objects like furniture and lighting interesting enough to be conversation starters?

How can I make mundane lifestyle objects like furniture and lighting interesting enough to be conversation starters?

When I embarked on my journey as a student of Entrepreneurship for Impact, I had a couple of clear goals in mind. Firstly, I wanted to use this year to incubate the design studio I've been dreaming of, one where I, as a designer, could delve into upcycling to create sustainable furniture and home decor. Secondly, I was itching to reignite my passion for design after spending the last five years submerged in the world of advertising. Over two semesters, I've found myself drawn to the challenge of transforming mundane everyday objects into pieces that not only serve a purpose but also spark conversation and intrigue. It's been a journey filled with exploration, experimentation, and plenty of surprises. Through experimenting with various mediums and techniques, I've developed a line of inquiry that feels uniquely mine. It's about pushing boundaries, challenging conventions, and ultimately, redefining what it means for an object to be truly captivating. As I turn this new page in my journey as a designer, I'm excited to see where this line of inquiry will lead me.

Diy Table Kit

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Album Cover

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Dancing Insect Lights

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