Harshita Gupta
Harshita Gupta
Graphic Designer / Art Director.
New York, NY
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a brand and website designer, passionate about creating unique experiences that make a connection.”
I am passionate about crafting identities for brands that are strategic, unique and feel authentic to a brand's story and vision. I believe that a memorable brand is made by offering an experience that connects and inspires, and I'm on a mission to help find and create these experiences!
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I've always loved and appreciated art and aesthetics ever since I was little. I still remember how excited art classes, beautiful store displays or even putting together an outfit made me (still does.) I always knew that I felt most alive and aligned when I was creatively engaged. I’d find ways to even make my math project look pretty (haha.)
It became an almost natural route for me to go to design school and focus my attention towards it. In the beginning I thought that Fashion Design was my calling (I now know that I really just like shopping,) and quickly after just one Digital Design class of Photoshop, I realized that my passion lied in the world of Communication and Graphic Design, the program I specialized in!
I attended a Dual Degree program, where I specialized in Communication Design and I graduated from both the National Institute of Fashion Technology in India as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. New York was truly the place where it all began for me. I started interning and freelancing with fast-paced agencies learning all facets of Communication Design including - print and packaging, advertising and digital design, along with the realities of working in a studio and collaborating with a team on global client projects.
I graduated in the middle of 2020, and looking back, I’m genuinely thankful that I did! Graduating in the middle of a pandemic allowed me to begin freelancing with agencies and even start a small studio of my own where I took on my own client projects on the side, helping clients build up-level and scale their presences, a reality I would’ve never thought was possible this early in my career.
My north star is growth. I’m open to all the learning that agencies and senior designers have to offer me, and while I’m on this journey, I work to continually uplevel the studio experience I offer to the clients I work with!
How do you stand out in your field?
My design-superpower is transforming the everyday into luxury. I stand out in my field because of my eye for design, versatility and always bringing fresh sources of inspiration outside the design world, to lead my work.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Along with the agency work I take on, I am currently working on a 360 fine jewelry branding project that involves strategy, branding, website design and social media! The project is incredibly exciting since the brand mission is to create a bold and glamorous world safe for everyone to thrive in. I am so aligned and here for it!
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I would describe my personal style as editorial, modern and luxurious. My studio website is in my style and here's a pinterest board that elucidates it a little bit more! When it comes to designing for a client, I define the aesthetic in accordance with the brand's strategy and story. Every project is unique!
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
With work it would be great to have motion design under my belt, but today I'm going to say Tennis, learning how to do the splits, and Pole Dancing (that core strength inspires me!)
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I have so many things I'd like to accomplish in a day and I think it's super important for me to nail down three most important tasks and move to the next only when I'm done with one! (otherwise I can quickly feel like I'm all over the place.)
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire a VA to help with social media, pinterest management and email marketing, so that I can get focus on client work and speaking to the potential client!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Tell the little me that she's safe to be herself, to focus on her own journey, to keep dreaming, and to always keep the spark inside her alive! All she needs to do are things that make her ridiculously happy!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
About all things smart investing: plans, actionable steps and deposit. I'd love to learn more about money management and growth.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I'd love to work with passionate entrepreneurs and brands, striving for an impact greater than themselves. It would be an honor to be part of their journey and help channel that impact! Building strong online presences that they feel confident and most aligned with, that connect with their audience is what I aim for.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I'm passionate about creating work in the spaces of beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I'd also love to create more personal brands! Brands for coaches, service-based businesses, the entrepreneurs who are here to better lives.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
Jessica Haas - The first Senior Art Director I worked under, so full of light, encouraging and I experienced what great work culture geared for growth looked like, with her.
Adrianne - Creative Director at Lassie Collective, who is so full of fresh ideas and is a true industry disruptor!
Sara Baudelle - A creative who I connected with on Instagram the day I created my work profile, she helped me out during the beginning of my freelance journey when I was so fresh in the game, so grateful!
Caroline Harvey, my Digital Design professor in college, who completely changed the way I look at and appreciate Typography - How to choose fonts, the right way to pair type, and how to create visual hierarchy. She truly helped lay the groundwork for how I design today!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Fill out my new inquiry form / email: hello@studiobyhg.com.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
By feeding my soul, body and mind!
This member profile was originally published in April 2021.