While structures provide basic human necessities such as shelter and protection, architecture and the interior designs give an emotional impact. A building can evoke a variety of emotions such as belonging, excitement, panic, or joy. On the other hand human-centered architecture which places people at the center of the design process aims to maximize positive interactions between people and structures. Draw studio, a Bangalore based startup works on a fundamental goal to make the space more human-centric.

Draw Studio's co-founder, Divya Devatha has been cultivating her love of design since she was a young child. Her ability to come up with innovative solutions to challenges inspired her to pursue a profession in architecture. The competent architect comes armed with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from RVSA Bangalore and a certification from Columbia University in the United States. Before co-founding Draw Studio with Raajan Sharma, Divya worked for CNT Architects, KYNKYNY, and Khosla Associates. In an exclusive interview, Divya tells Women entrepreneur team about how she creates fun, functional and unique space.

Introduce us to Draw Studio. What are various areas of specialization that Design Studio excels at?

Draw Studio is an interior design firm based in Bangalore. We specialize in architecture, furniture, and spatial design for all types of residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational spaces. Our goal is to design rooms that reflect our clients' personalities, using colours, forms, materials, and textures that work together to create a fully sensory experience.

Draw studio was founded by me and my partner Rajan Sharma four years ago. We offer a variety of services. Understanding the brand is to understand the client, and we excel at it. We tailor what the client wishes to communicate to the rest of the world. We have a strong ability to comprehend our clients' pulse.

We are experts in completing projects on time and on budget. We also specialize in repurposing outdated materials and promoting sustainable development. The fundamental goal is to make the space more human-centric.

We're really involved in the project and have a deep sense of clients' personalities. We work closely with our clients and are enthusiastic about what we do. We are very human-centered, and our relationships with contractors are excellent. There is no hierarchy in the office, and even the intern has the opportunity to connect with clients and with the execution team.

Take us through your early education and priory industry experience. What factors led you towards the architecture and interior design industry?

I earned a diploma from Columbia University in the United States and a bachelor's degree in architecture from RVSA Bangalore. I interned at SDA Aurovillae in Pondicherry and Zachariah Consultants in Bangalore. CNT Architects in Bangalore was my first job. After that, I worked at KYNKYNY Art in Bangalore as an Assistant Furniture Designer. After that, I worked as a senior interior designer for Khosla Associates.

I have always been interested in design and went to design school when I was younger. There, I learned about design thinking and was encouraged to do so. I was quite fascinated by collage, and that was my first foray into putting things together. I was always the set designer at school. Apart from these early influences, travelling has exposed me to a variety of cultures and styles which helped inculcate a love for design in me.

Tell us about the foundation journey of the company. What were the initial days like and what were some major challenges that you had to overcome in the early days of running the firm?

There are various kinds of architectural and interior designs. The first five years are like an experiment where you figure out what interests you. So I decided to give myself a variety of experiences so that I could figure out where I fit in. I discovered my passion while working with Khosla Associates.

“When it comes to leadership, you must motivate both your team and yourself”

When you work for a firm, you must follow their design principles; but, when you work on your own, you are free to follow your own design principles. This concept also inspired me to act on my own and motivated me to found Draw Studio with Raajan Sharma.

The early days of DRaw studio were fantastic; we had a lot more freedom and were able to handle a lot more tasks. On the other hand, because we were the only ones handling things, it was a little challenging. We overcame this by planning each day, and after three to four months, we recognized that planning was the most effective way to move forward.

In your opinion what are some facets of your personalities and leadership style that have helped you propel the company further in its journey?

As an entrepreneur, I take responsibility, I don't rely on anyone, I lead by example, I enjoy interacting with people, I enjoy taking on tasks, and I believe that working diligently on them helps the firm expand.

When it comes to leadership, you must motivate both your team and yourself. It is not about forcing employees to work, but rather about inspiring them to like what they do. I concentrate not just on my team's performance on the job, but also on their professional development.

How do you keep yourself aligned with the various trends and technologies developing in the interior design industry? Where do you draw inspiration from as a creatively inclined person?

Change happens quickly in the interior design sector in particular. Trends constantly evolve; what might be in vogue today might become passé in a matter of months. Observation and taking up new styles, in my opinion, are the finest ways to keep up with the latest trends. I was able to gauge the trends with the help of magazines and design blogs.

I draw inspiration from human beings, their likes and dislikes and travelling. I'm also inspired by how things function, whether it's mechanics or movies. Movies have taught me how to tell the same story in ten different ways. I enjoy listening to music, not just for the sake of listening, but also for the way the lyrics and composition function. I enjoy putting things together and seeing how they function.

Divya Devatha, Co-Founder, Draw Studio

Divya's aptitude for coming up with creative solutions to practical problems led to a career in architecture and eventually find Draw Studio.