The world functions within several design principles — some technical, and some more inspirational. The takeaway, however, remains that any kind of design — across art, architecture, products, and more — must come from a purpose and a story. When released in the world, meaningful design is not only impactful — by way of inspiration or education — but also capable of moulding futures. It was renowned designer and educator Robert L Peters who rightly said, “Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.”
In India, the discipline of design is in a dynamic state, with people willing to merit it the importance it has always deserved, now more than ever. With some extraordinary Indian artists with global impact, and an ecosystem that now encourages and educates individuals in the space, design in the country is thoughtful, certainly, but also superbly thought provoking.
It is at this juncture that Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, both seasoned creative professionals, bring to India the bridge between design, art, and business — Design POV. As a holistic event that advocates for the essence of art and its reach, Design POV stands out from the rest. “It champions perspective — an essential element in both the creation and consumption of art,” says team Design POV. The event is headstrong with experimental and immersive formats. Here, artist collaboration is key, but a keen importance lands on encouraging designers, brands, as well as consumers to engage meaningfully. It’s what India’s design landscape calls for — a space or platform where various players in the ecosystem come together, foster collaboration, and seek an outcome that truly benefits each one of them. All of this, with a concerted and real effort to push the boundaries of the perception of India as a design powerhouse.
Asif and Gagan are no strangers to the design space — with nearly 30 years of combined experience in creative strategy, marketing, and events, the duo leads Totality Solutions, a creative marketing and branding agency. Gagan’s expertise in business development, creation of trademark events, and a particularly strong suit in sales — having brought in industry giants to his portfolio in previous years — makes for a formidable foundation at Design POV. As he builds on this with his power-packed team, drawing from his varied experience, particularly in architecture, he lends to this fresh event an undeniable edge. And as goes the nature of a cohesive unit, Asif brings in an imperative layer of the makings of a meaningful platform: event marketing and IP development. Today, Totality Solutions finds its invaluable network, on which the firm rests proudly, owing to Asif’s event marketing prowess, evident from his pan-Asian strategies for the continent’s largest architecture and building material event. He has mastered the art of crafting immersive brand experiences, laying down the groundwork for an unforgettable first edition of Design POV.
“The idea for Design POV came from countless conversations with architects and interior designers. They wanted to break from the routine design events and showcase their innovation. We wanted to escape this saturated market by creating something bold, visionary, and revolutionary,” say the founders. The importance of design — good design — in day-to-day life is not entirely realised, and Asif and Gagan understand this.
By way of their learnings over the years — the good, the bad, and the ugly — they are now pouring into a culmination of it all. They’ve lived, learned, and worked to know better than to jump in head first — their previous event offerings in the design space served distinct purposes, while Design POV elevates and expands on all that they can do for the community and all its members. Laxmi Design District (LDD) sought the fusion of artistic vision and functional design, driven by conversation, while the event Adorre, celebrated the niche of modern luxury, design, and architecture. With Design POV, collaboration and immersion is key — “bringing brands’ products to the limelight, while showcasing architects’ and designers’ work in live spaces,” the team says. The event is built to challenge norms — design is ever-evolving, and it rests on the conveyors of the craft to grow alongside. “We want to replicate the essence of starting from a strong foundation and achieving success as a whole, ensuring that Design POV begins as a distinctive event while drawing on the lessons learned along our journey,” they say.
The integral intentions are set. The team says, “Everyone has something to take away: architects and designers showcase their work, brands flaunt different applications and functionalities of their products, and homeowners get access to a platform to experience design like never before.”
The venture, as well as the team, is rooted in innovation and collaboration. As leaders of a creative unit, the duo places deserved importance on these aspects: “We prioritise working closely together, understanding each other’s strengths and accepting our weaknesses, which enables us to build something greater as a whole.” The approach to such an inclusive and holistic platform is brought about by their foresight of what they wish to leave with those involved — and the vision is not limited to the country. “Our true goal is to be pioneers who bring innovative solutions that benefit the entire design community. We hope to create a lasting impact, push boundaries and set new standards. As founders, we want to be known for changing the game, driving forward a movement that leaves a meaningful legacy for both the industry and future generations.”
Their journey until now has been instrumental in creating the idea that exists today — one that takes into account all things glorious about design, including its creation and creators, those who experience it, and those who choose to consume it within the realms of their lives around them. Asif and Gagan lead a project that stems from their desire to position India as a leader in the industry — the talent bursts at the seams, the brands are more conscious of the arts than ever, and we, the consumers, are in for a treat.
Several qualities about art, design, and architecture are intriguing, and often rather mystical. It is able to function in silos, within relationships with solely its maker, or many a times, in the eyes of thousands of people all at once. It is across all of this that Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia are claiming a stake.
Words by Meghna Mathew.
